Nationalism versus Globalism by Jonathan Haidt

by cofty 3 Replies latest social current

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  cofty

  Very insightful article by a great thinker. It's well worth taking the time to read his analysis of the tensions in the west between those whose instincts are to embrace mass immigration and those see it as a threat to national culture.

  Automatically dismissing opposition to globalisation as "racism pure and simple" is largely responsible for reactions like the Brexit vote, and may yet put Trump in the Whitehouse. His idea, based on work by Karen Stenner is that "authoritarians" combine forces with "status quo conservatives" to put a stop to the erosion of social norms.

  His article is published here...
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  Simon

  Thanks, I'll check it out.

  It's often the case that people have a negative outlook toward something and then think that the solution is to embrace whatever the 'opposite' of it is. I think they often pick the wrong thing or are so opposed to something they don't stop to consider the negatives that come with their new choice..
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  Vidiot

  Simon - "...It's often the case that people have a negative outlook toward something and then think that the solution is to embrace whatever the 'opposite' of it is...."

  Yup.

  A perfect formula for dumb-ass rednecks to become full-blown fascists.
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  ctrwtf

  Thoughtful and well written. I'm not sure that I agree with his conclusion that it is the responsibility of globalists to tone down their message in order to prevent a nationalist backlash. It sounds somewhat like a parent that is afraid to upset a toddler because they don't want him to throw a tantrum. (simplistic, I realize)

  The tide of immigration and globalism is not going to change. Economic forces seem to guarantee this. The challenge lies in getting people to lose their fear of social change while at the same time making sure that those that are negatively impacted economically aren't just left hanging. No easy task, especially while the rhetoric on either side devolves into name calling.