The Rise of Xenophobic Nativist Nationalism

Globalization has caused major economic, social, and political transformation. While there have been positive benefits from the rise of an international community, there have been more extreme reactions.The rise of xenophobic nativist nationalism has been a reaction to globalism as an international force. These sudden changes include supranationalism, mass migration, and the effects of neoliberal capitalism. This reaction can be seen in the West and wider Eurasian region. It also has a presence in Global South nations, with various countries becoming more suspicious of one another. The result is a world falling further into tribalism and balkanization. Old fault lines are emerging causing geopolitical shifts. It must be understood that xenophobic nativist nationalism is both a movement and political ideology. Like other belief systems it has a specific set of attributes. The reason for its rise is not only due to globalization, but the historical events of the past. European colonial empires, neocolonialism, and humanitarian intervention have contributed to the increase in various extremist groups globally. Discord, inequality, and the general state of frustration among the world's population has created conditions for far-right movements to flourish. The collapse of the Soviet Union also created more complications in terms of the geopolitical structure. Countries may no longer be aligned by an specific political ideology rather, a strict adherence to identity politics.  If this continues only more international division and conflict will occur. Animosity has become political capital being used to justify policies that would otherwise be condemned. Xenophobic nativist nationalism can be at times a nebulous concept, but there can be a more broad description based on the behavior of particular nations. 

        Xenophobic nativist nationalism can be defined as the fear or hatred of foreigners combined with extreme patriotic devotion to a nation-state. This ideology elevates one nation above others advocating ethnocentrism. Native culture and customs of a particular nation is considered superior to foreign ones. Migrants and immigrants are perceived as problems or security risks. Racism and scapegoating are common characteristics of xenophobic nativist nationalist sentiment. Immigrants have been blamed for crime, harming the labor market, or exacerbating political edge issues. The demands of assimilation are not based on the goal of full integration into society. Assimilation means in the context of xenophobic nativist nationalism that foreigners completely relinquish their cultural and ethnic identity or forget their heritage in order to conform. The demand for conformity represents how some countries deem their culture and customs as superior. The desire of xenophobic nativist nationalism is to produce a state that is racially and culturally homogeneous. The ideology rejects internationalism, multiculturalism, and leftist political beliefs. Xenophobic nativist nationalism opposes globalism for other reasons, different from anti-imperialist advocates. The position is that globalism encourages mass migration and undermines national culture in favor of an international one. Supporters of this type of nationalism hold the conviction that immigrants should not be treated with dignity or respect. This projects itself in a number of human rights abuses. Indefinite detention, separations, and over crowed facilities are common place for nations with high immigration. Although supporters of xenophobic nativist nationalism do not describe themselves as fascists, many  far-right organizations, hate groups, and white nationalists use this movement to advance their own  political agendas with in the political movement. The mainstream xenophobic nationalists intolerance want to distance  themselves from the extreme right, however they still support their ideas and advance their causes in a furtive manner. These concepts are only the basics of a growing political ideology of xenophobic nativist nationalism.
         What gave birth to xenophobic nativist nationalism was a combination of economic shifts and the international political culture. Neoliberal capitalism had not only exploited the labor of the developing world. It also put workers in the West at a disadvantage. Transnational corporations outsourced their labor to countries that had a labor force willing to work for less pay and benefits. Simultaneously, this effected people in the West at lower income levels. Working class whites who were to a degree, protected from major economic changes because white supremacy guaranteed a safety net. When that was challenged, many of this group felt left behind. The collapse of  the Soviet Union made neoliberal capitalism the dominant economic system, but this did not improve the conditions of the general population globally. One reason mass migration has reached astronomical levels is that people from Asia, Latin America, and Africa cannot sustain themselves financially. They have become economic refugees and the West becomes a destination for some form of safety. Germany and particularly the eastern section is an example of how xenophobic nativist nationalism can blossom under harsh economic conditions. East Germany did not benefit from reunification and capitalism. Unemployment and hardship induced hatred directed at various immigrant groups from 1990 to present.

Turkish, Vietnamese, and currently Muslims are viewed with suspicion or enmity. The reason why supporters of  the xenophobic nativist nationalist movement are increasing in number is that their economic situation has not improved after the 2008 financial global crisis. Fiscal austerity measures and failure to regulate international finance capital has resulted in the European nations projecting their anger through various fringe movements.The international political culture also raises concerns. This specifically describes a mode of  global affairs thought in which every nation should be part of a supranationalist organization. Such a proposal is not entirely outrageous, but the problem arises from the question of national sovereignty. The European Union dictates which criteria nations have to meet to be and remain members in the international body. These conditions could range from human rights concerns, refugees, or economic policies. The question of which nations take refugees become a contentious one. Countries that have limited resources to deal with the influx of migrant traffic become more frustrated, when it appears that the wealthier nations on the continent do less in comparison. This has been  Prime Minister Vicktor Orban's argument as he has used it to move Hungary to the far-right. Differences over refugee policy and  the conduct of the EU have energized the far-right in Europe. The EU has a vision in which all countries in the organization ascribe to a set of political and cultural values. This includes embracing neoliberal capitalism, liberal democracy, multiculturalism, and multiracial societies. The countries that advocate xenophobic nativist nationalism do not embrace such values,because they equate it to the destruction of their identity. The only value they embrace is the economic aspect in which neoliberal capitalism would still be a part of the society, but it would only function for the nation and specifically the ruling class. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have made the economic system benefit  the ruling elite of  European nations. The economic nationalism of  the new political movement wants to concentrate the wealth in a certain state only without sharing with other nations. This explains why President Donald Trump's economic nationalism resonates with conservative voters in the United States of  America.  

   

The sentiment is that immigration has caused a financial strain on the US and by reducing illegal immigration jobs and economic stability will return. These are falsehoods, but they seem to be factual to those on the American right. President Trump as constantly stated that various nations including US allies have exploited the country. Part of international political culture is adopting a capitalist only system with a strong emphasis on free markets and limited protectionism. The IMF and World Bank are presented as institutions designed to help the global economy, but various observations show that they have become instruments of economic exploitation. A large part of globalism is economic, not only politics and international affairs. Workers now find themselves competing for jobs not just within their own nations, but the entire world. Simultaneously, poverty continues to increase around the globe. Citizens of various countries want an explanation to economic challenges, but do not comprehend the complex nature of the international economic conditions. Immigrants become targets and are scapegoated for struggles in certain countries. The reason fascism became so popular in Europe in the 1930s was due to the Great Depression. The economic factor related to the rise of xenophobic nativist nationalism cannot be ignored. 

         One aspect of international political culture that has made such a far-right ideology popular is the attempt to impose liberal democracy around the world. This has been done through military intervention or economic warfare. Humanitarian intervention merely covers neocolonial designs by dominant world powers.The use of sanctions in an arbitrary manner demonstrates attempts at isolating particular nations who do not adhere to a conformist international political culture. The world then becomes divided between liberal democracy and states designated as rogue states. Even when certain countries are compliant relative to a dispute, they still are harassed. Iran has not violated the nuclear agreement, yet the US has imposed more sanctions to harm Iran's economy. Regime change has been a part of US foreign policy and it has had devastating consequences. Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and Somalia have been subject to US military intervention. It is not only the United States that wants to impose political systems on foreign nations, but its allies. France and the UK also are involved in the movement to impose liberal democracy on African and Asian nations. North Korea has been sanctioned by the UN and other US aligned countries, even though this country struggles with intense poverty. From a military perspective, they would not even be a substantial threat. It would take years to build a formidable arsenal and doing so could bankrupt the country. Zimbabwe still remains under sanctions, even through Robert Mugabe resigned. No matter what these countries do they will be subject from some form of attack under the principle of democracy promotion. This is not the promotion of freedom, rather an attempt to maintain the neocolonial order. There are repercussions from such behavior. The dramatic increase in war refugees may not be manageable. The migrations from Africa and Asia will continue as long as the military interventions continue. 

This map shows data acquired from 2016 from the Emergency Response Coordination Centre 

NATO has changed its role from being a defensive military alliance to an active war force. The United Nations with should be a forum for peaceful resolution has become an institution that authorizes military strikes.  The failure to provide a framework for the ongoing civil war in Syria and the Saudi-Yemen conflict demonstrates the  inefficiency of the institution. This mass movement of people from various foreign countries provides a justification for xenophobic nativist nationalism. While such advocates do not condemn warfare, they ignore the reason why there are refugees in the first place. Neoconservative foreign policy, military intervention, neocolonialism,  and world power competition have created the refugee crisis of the contemporary international landscape. The xenophobic nativist nationalist argument is framed as if immigrants merely come to exploit the many resources of more prosperous lands. This myth constantly is repeated. There are numerous push and pull factors which force people to leave their countries of origin. Economic and political factors are the two major forces that cause people to flee. Warfare and political oppression force migrants to get asylum seeker status. Knowing this, xenophobic nativist nationalists should be ant-war,just on the basis it creates refugees. They still advocate strong armies and warfare, yet want  a strategy that does not cause blowback. President Trump  once stated that the interventions in Iraq and Syria were misguided, however reversed these positions when he became president. The reason is that even advocates of  xenophobic nativist nationalism realize that strategic interests are essential, if the US wants to remain the world's sole superpower. Xenophobic nativist nationalism should not be confused with the isolationism of the Interwar era of the 20th century. The US is still very much involved in global affairs and will be more involved in the continent of  Europe. Isolationism is complete disengagement from international affairs. Advocates of the new far-right movement want some involvement in global affairs just as long as agreements solely benefit their nation only. This is the philosophy of America First. Allies and the collaboration between them should result in America getting more of the benefits rather than an equal exchange between two partners. What is also being seen is the struggle between globalism and national sovereignty. This has been a contentious issue when member states of the European Union debate about what do about refugee and migrant traffic.Securing borders and which countries supply asylum may place more burden on smaller member states.  There is a direct correlation between the political establishment's nation building projects and the promotion of western modeled liberal democracy and the rise of xenophobic nativist nationalism.  

       Xenophobic nativist nationalism is not exclusive to the West. There are African and Asian nations that have experienced a surge in such ideological sentiments. South Africa had cases of xenophobic violence prior to the emergence of the political movement. The year 2008 saw acts of xenophobic violence directed at immigrants in South Africa. The attacks have not subsided in the last ten years. There continues to be tension between immigrants from Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and other parts of the African continent. Economic turmoil once again is an explanation for such scapegoating. However, this may be more of an expression of the dangers of identity politics. 

     

Supporters of xenophobic nativist nationalism claim they must defend their identity as a nation and race. Immigrants to such supporters represent a type of threat. The argument from a South African supporter is that other groups from other parts of the continent are exploiting the country's resources and diluting its national character. This is an argument of ethnocentric nationalism. The desire to make nations racially and culturally homogeneous is a goal of  the xenophobic nativist nationalist movement. Decolonization throughout the world brought much hope and high political expectations. The problem was the dream of developed and countries free from former colonial masters has not fully materialized. This explains why leaders of various developing nations may either incite ethnic tension to distract from political and social issues. China also could be experiencing xenophobic nativist nationalism particularly with its emphasis on the promotion of Han Chinese identity. Tibetans and Uighurs are facing racial discrimination and harassment. The favoritism of the Han Chinese above the fifty-six recognized ethno-linguistic alienates others who would otherwise love to contribute to Chinese society.  Xenophobic nativist nationalism will inevitably lead to ethnic conflict. Myanmar although in a process of political reform is embarking on a campaign against the Rohingya. The Burma people similar to the Han Chinese do not see their minorities as  being a part of the nation. Ethiopia has  similar situation in which the Oromo ethnic group also faces exclusion. This is why civic nationalism should be promoted rather than ethnic nationalism. Internal conflict could be used as a justification for military intervention of the West. If the global south is to rise it must reject the current political wave of xenophobic nativist nationalism. 

         The disturbing phenomenon about xenophobic nativist nationalism is when it emanates from the US or Europe it has the goal of internationalizing white nationalism. Although they reject internationalism, they do not oppose organizing globally. White nationalism has infiltrated the international political mainstream. It is incorrect to call this Trumpism, because such a movement and concept existed before his election. The white nationalist movement has the same ideological perspective of the xenophobic nativist philosophy. There is one slight difference. Normally, xenophobic nativist nationalists say they oppose illegal immigration. White nationalists despise immigration even if it is legal and would prefer that those who do come are from European countries. Unsubstantiated claims that their is a "white genocide" or an  "attack on western civilization" are commonly articulated in white nationalist publications. This message has become more popular in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and  on the European continent. Steve Bannon  who was a chief political strategist for Donald Trump has made efforts to spread xenophobic nativist nationalism into mainstream politics. White nationalist populism is attempting to make itself presentable to voters in western liberal democracies. 

Steve Bannon 

        

The desire to eliminate all immigration is not articulated publicly, but in secret this is the goal. Through legislation certain groups would be targeted. The US continues to struggle with preventing voter suppression and the reason it is favored by the extreme far-right is that it works in their political favor. By excluding non-whites from the political process, the white nationalist populists get closer to making a white only nation-state. the first step is to stop immigration from African, Asian, and South American countries. Legal immigration would be slowly be dismantled and would be only for people of European origin. The United States under the Donald Trump administration has been attempting to experiment with this in his travel ban. Syria, Somalia, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela are selected for this travel ban. Previously, Sudan, Chad, and Iraq were included on the list. Xenophobic nativist nationalism is certainly nothing new to the US. The Immigration Act of 1924 in which northern Europeans were favored over other races was an example of such sentiment. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was another instance of anti-immigrant and racist policy designed to preserve white supremacy in the United States. The demographic shift in America has alarmed many whites in the US and the response has been to become advocates of xenophobic nativist nationalism. Suddenly, figures like Richard Spencer and Jared Taylor who are major figures in  the white nationalist movement are gaining wider exposure. Both supported Donald Trump in the 2016 US presidential election. Taylor and Spencer are both known for their scientific racism and anti-immigrant policies, but many of their ideas are adopted by President Trump. What such individuals want is a ethno-state for whites only. The concept ethno-state  has been experimented with, yet it has occurred in the most unlikely place. Israel has under the far-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  has introduced the nation-state law, which would reduce Arab Israelis to a second class citizenship status. Israel under the policies of the Likud Party have become more strict and harsh in regards to the treatment of immigrants and refugees. Somalian, Sudanese, and Ethiopian migrants are forced into detention centers. 

Oddly, factions of white nationalists praise Israel's racist policies because it is a model of ethno-state. White nationalists who many would normally have anti-semitic sentiments, praise the Jewish state due to the notion that they are fighting "the Muslim menace. " Islamophobia has become a major  form of political mobilization in the European and American far-right. To them Israel through its inhumane treatment of the Palestinians shows that it is a worthy ally in the fight against what they call the "Islamization of Europe." The white nationalists who are part of the neo-Nazi political ideology view Jews and Israel as part of the problem. They blame Jews for immigration policies and liberal politics, which they claim have destroyed society. This faction of the white nationalist far-right claims that "cultural Marxism" and "Zionist occupied governments" are at war with western civilization. These accusations are nothing more than the same anti-semitic  conspiracies that were espoused in the 20th century. 

Richard Spencer and Jared Taylor 

  

David Duke represents the faction that still holds anti-semitic  beliefs in the white nationalist movement. Such organization like the National Policy Institute or fringe groups would not have had much political traction two decades ago. The negative consequence of social media is that such groups and organizations can form faster and more efficiently. The establishment political structure fails to comprehend the xenophobic nativist nationalist movement. They either ignore it or remain complicit in the potential risk. The left does not have an effective strategy of countering the extremist movement that threatens freedom itself. Observers of politics mistakenly label this movement as populism, but this is far more complicated. The movement is a mixture of extreme far-right politics,  social conservatives, racists, hate groups, capitalist supply side economics advocates and right-wing conspiracy theorists. The traditional conservatives and neoconservatives  are solely being phased out by this movement. Steve Bannon wanted to remake the Republican Party and was then defeated. His removal from the White House demonstrated that the faction of established conservatives are not going to be phased out without some political confrontation. Xenophobic nativist nationalism may have more success in European countries as more frustration at the European Union continues to grow. France  and  the UK are facing a xenophobic nativist nationalist current. Marie Le Pen's attempt to win the French presidency caused a level of trepidation in European political circles. Her National Rally Party has embraced anti-immigrant rhetoric and ideas. The party was originally known as the National Front when it was founded by her father Jean-Marie Le Pen. The National Rally has been known to be opposed to multiculturalism with Islamophobic  overtones. 

Marie Le Pen 

Even though she lost the French presidential election, her party still seems to resonate with those who are vexed about the political and economic situation in Europe. Economic nationalism wants to make capitalism work for certain nations, not the entire globe. This is what Le Pen emphasizes to voters. There is a possibility that she could run again and win. The rise of the UK Independence Party under the leadership of Nigel Farage  saw xenophobic nativist nationalism come to the mainstream in British politics. Other extremist groups existed prior to the UK Independence Party's rise such as the English Defense League. The problem with neo-fascist, hate groups, or far-right organizations is that they use violence and intimidation not realizing this is not an effective public relations strategy. Farage when he was leader of the UK Independence Party used his knowledge as a broadcaster to make far-right political views more palatable. He condemns the EU on the grounds of  economic nationalism. Although Nigel Farage is no longer head of the party he continues to be a part of the Leave Means Leave organization and is a large part of the Brexit movement. Such lobby groups are having an influence on Prime Minister Theresa May  who is pushing ahead with negotiations for the UK to leave the European Union. 

Nigel Farage 

        Xenophobic nativist nationalism is being fueled in Europe by euroscepticism and the possible loss of national sovereignty relative to European integration. Questions of immigration, economics, and law become more complex  under a system of supranationalism. The movement of xenophobic nativist nationalism does not want European integration in the context of the EU.  There is a Pan-European movement that is emerging from xenophobic nativist nationalism. This concept envisions an ethno-state functioning on white nationalist political philosophy. The dream is to go back to a period in which the European countries dominated most of the world. While there is a move to internationalize white nationalism, there has been a dramatic change in the international landscape. China has become more powerful and is gaining more influence in the developing world. African nations have seen economic growth, although the majority of the population has not seen the benefits. The European population compared to the African and Asian population is small. The desire to reestablish a white supremacist world system would certainly fail considering these realities. However, that does not make this new movement any less perilous. Even though they style themselves as being moderate in presentation, their political ideology encourages violence. The path to creating the ethno-state which they desire would require mass deportations, segregation, and etnic cleansing. Hatred's logical conclusion is genocide. Hopefully, white nationalism's attempts at international appeal will dissipate with active resistance. 

        The West has been going through an identity and confidence crisis in an era of uncertainty. When there is economic turmoil and political confrontation, the public look to explanations for a rapid decline of a functional society. Globalization has not only made the contact between people of different cultures easier, but also has led to political globalism. Not all nations want to adopt this system mainly because it demands that each one adheres to particular stipulations that may not benefit the member state, but the supranational organization as a whole. The West convinced itself that liberal democracy and neoliberal capitalism were the only and ultimate economic as well as political systems. The collapse of the Soviet Union caused many unintended consequences in terms of global affairs. The United States erroneous thought it would remain the sole superpower. The older ethnic conflicts reemerged around the world in countries such as Yugoslavia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Burundi,  and Rwanda. Identity and ethnic politics became more of a force in the international sphere when the world was no longer  divided between a communist east, a capitalist west, and non-aligned states. The West during this transition from 1991 to 2008 saw a high amount of cultural and international political dominance. The global financial crisis and the rise of a multipolar world system saw a crisis in confidence in the West. China is becoming a major world power through economic growth and its extensive foreign relations with other global south nations. Russia has made a comeback in terms of power under the leadership of Vladimir Putin. The West is struggling to navigate a world which is rapidly changing. Many are unwilling to accept an international political order in which the West is not predominant. Such a nation energizes the base of the xenophobic nativist nationalist movement. The politics of fear is a larger motivating force. A Russian and Chinese rise in international affairs induces has caused a level of panic in the American and European populations. Xenophobic nativist nationalism can utilize anti-Russian and sinophobic sentiment to their political advantage. This scapegoating of immigrants and foreign nations provides a convenient cover to the actual problems of  society. Poverty, war, and corrupt government are sources of  various issues facing the European and North American countries. The US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, and other EU countries have failed  their people in terms of trust and providing efficient governance. This is explains why mainstream establishment political parties will struggle and why more extremist ones will be more attractive to irate citizenry. Uncertainty about the global market, mass migration, and potential international conflict only empowers xenophobic nativist nationalism.  

      Xenophobic nativist nationalism may seem like a temporary political phase. Yet, it is clear that there has been a shift in political culture. Far-right fringe movements are now being seen as credible in political circles on both sides of the Atlantic. Globalism, neoliberal capitalism, liberal democracy, and supranationalism have not produced a stable or liberated world. Instead it gave birth to a more extreme political movement that parallels another in the 20th century. Fascism arose from the devastation of World War I and the Great Depression. Economics has been a catalyst for the xenophobic nativist nationalist movement, with a large portion of working class people who have been left behind in the global economy. For them, there has not been economic recovery. Desperation and anger have been projected into  this new wave of far-right extremism. The fascists of the 1930s and 1940s realized that people would follow them if they promised a revived economy and a stronger state in which they could be proud of. Xenophobic nativist nationalism articulates taking a country back to another time in which they had prestige and respect. America First is more than just a simple slogan; it is a declaration of  exploiting the world to one nation's benefit. Britain's Brexit negotiations also utter this sentiment. Advocates want to leave the EU, but still want the benefits that come with being a member state. Although contemporary xenophobic nativist nationalism  is a new phenomenon, there can be solutions developed to counter its rise. The political left must organize effectively. There continues to be a divide between centrist and progressive ideological factions. The election of extreme far-right political figures demonstrates that centrism is not enough to defeat such candidates for public office.The leftist should embrace their more progressive faction to attract voters who normally would not be active. Another policy that should be implemented is ending the state of permanent warfare. Humanitarian intervention has caused the increase in refugees and asylum seekers. At some point it will not be possible to accommodate  refugees fleeing from war zones. Military interventions must stop to adequately handle the refugee crisis. Peaceful resolutions rather than armed conflict  is a better alternative. A new immigration policy must be implemented with a pathway to citizenship. If this is not done more detention centers and immigrant camps will be established. A series of humanitarian disasters will congest an already broken immigration system in both the US and Eu countries.Once these issues are dealt with, xenophobic nativist nationalism can be defeated. If effective resistance cannot not be organized against this political movement, then xenophobic nativist  nationalism  may become a serious threat to nations in which it is active. 

    

  

African Women Reluctant To Embrace #Me Too

African women, particularly in Uganda are hesitant to embrace the #Me Too movement. Western women fail to realize the privileged situation in which they live. This demonstrates the narrow and somewhat superficial nature of the #Me Too movement. There is little attention given to global south nations  in which women struggle with violence, domestic abuse, and sexual harassment. There are nations on the African continent which are high risk factors for women. The DRC, South Africa, and Libya are extremely dangerous for women's personal security. Even in the US, there is an obvious ethnic divide in the #Me Too movement. The women who are most visible in protests are white and normally middle class women. There rarely is mention of the racial disparities or other social problems that effect women of various race and class backgrounds. The #Me Too movement gradually has become nothing more than a movement solely designed for the improvement of white women's lives. African nations must empower women as part of a larger project of liberation from neocolonial domination. The African man's attitude regarding women must change. The idea that men have a right to dominate or control women is antiquated and abusive. Although feminism has its faults, there are some countries that need it.  

Population Growth : Its Political, Economic, and Social Consequences

The world's population has rapidly grown and may continue to in the future. Globally life expectancy has increased due to biomedical science, food security, and healthcare. There remains a disparity however in regard to health conditions and total life expectancy. The Global South struggles with development. Sudden population growth has political, economic, and social repercussions. It could be possible that a population may get close to exponential population growth and experience major societal challenges. The political sector would have to adjust in a particular manner. Keeping a large population functioning would require more control and a larger bureaucracy. This means that democratic models would not be able to function based on certain ideals that it values. Order would have more importance over freedom or equality. Such conditions would make quasi-authoritarian models more attractive that a democratic alternative. Economically, there would be more unemployment and the rise of a global underclass. If there is no opportunity for social mobility, a reliance on neoliberal capitalism, and a immense disparity related to income there will be insurrection. Society will be altered from an boom in population. Demographics are pivotal particularly the age of the population. A large ageing population could create economic problems related to welfare systems. A population with more young people could be the catalyst for mass rebellion or a shift into various forms ideological extremism. The environment also will suffer from more human consumption of natural resources. This may become a source of world conflict as growing populations hunger for various commodities. Population growth may be more of a problem, rather than a strength. Having a smaller population could also pose certain challenges, but these are minor compared to the explosion of a population boom. Population growth poses various political, economic, and  social strains that have the potential to be dangerous.
        The politics of population growth can cause issues for a nation. This relates to demographics. When an age pyramid becomes unbalanced this may alter political situations drastically. A majority elderly population may favor more far-right governments, while a youthful population desires more radical changes. A generation gap will form making a political consensus more difficult. A country or society cannot function without some agreement on political matters. This becomes more complicated in a democratic system. Voting can be effected by population size. Certain groups may just be able to get more representation simply based on population size. Majoritarian democracy may not be able to handle the erratic political shifts high population growth. Rapid population growth also induces a level of fear. This happens in racially and culturally diverse societies in which the ruling class and ethnic group fear  the shift in power. Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand are experiencing a wave of  xenophobic white nationalism in reaction to the increase of refugees and immigration. These sentiments are becoming more popular in the face of population and demographic shift. The EU countries attempt to present an image of tolerant and welcoming nations, but their policies demonstrate that the East and West conflict still continues. The majority of the population reduction programs are directed at global south nations, yet if population growth were to occur in Europe such programs would not exist.

The West has an overwhelming fear that it will be outnumbered by the growing numbers of African, Asian, and Latin American populations.This also explains why the West seems more willing to inflict violence on global south nations. There is power in numbers to a degree and the reduction of population by either military force or disease would benefit a project of global hegemony. China and India may in the future find themselves targets of a new wave of  European imperialism. Normally, sinophobia is justified by racists on the basis China's population is too large. Population growth becomes a factor in global affairs when examined from this perspective. A large population can be used as a symbol of national power. For every child born, they could be potential soldiers if a system of conscription is in place. Democratic systems would not be able to cope with rapid population increase. The basis of such a system relies on debates, elections, and consensus. There is an emphasis on the individual rather than the collective society. A large population requires more organization and governance. The more complex a society becomes freedom will take low priority in favor of structured order. To keep a functional society with a large population bureaucracy almost becomes a necessity. The needs of the citizens maybe to difficult for them to acquire on their own. If a democratic system does not meet the needs of citizens increased political factionalism and low political participation will be the result. A democratic government becomes ineffective. Authoritarianism which comparatively would have greater human rights abuse, is more efficient. Decisions are made by one person or group allowing for polices and projects to advance at a faster rate.  Authoritarianism may become politically popular because it provides stability and order. Societies out of fear of possible chaos will be more willing to accept extremist ideologies if they can in a rapid manner produce solutions to problems surrounding growing populations and discord. A large population provides a justification for oppression and control of citizens. 

         Economic systems would be effected by population growth. The concern centers around employment and consumption. One hundred percent unemployment is not possible. There are numerous circumstances for why certain people do not work. Illness or disability may take people out the workforce. Others who have struggled finding work may simply give up. Employers may not be hiring as much when there is a recession. The official reports on job growth are not a complete account of  the levels of employment  or unemployment. The data only accounts for those still active in the workforce. The complications amount when there is a large population and limited jobs. Companies cannot hire every single person. A high population may see a number of unemployed people no matter what their skills or education levels are. Conditions would effect the poorest and least educated among society even worse . 

The term underemployment has been used to describe a phenomenon in which people are working multiple jobs to sustain an income. Many corporations and companies are now adopting a model of using part-time , contractor, or free lance labor rather than hiring full time employees. Neoliberal capitalism cannot accommodate large populations. There is the advantage in having a mass of consumers, but they need to have incomes high enough. Disposable income allows for growth in an economic system. Businesses could fail in multiple sectors if there are not enough consumers to purchase products. Easy acquisition of credit can alleviate some of the challenge of having limited income. The problem arises with the accumulation of debt. Debt may be unavoidable with the high price of college education, home ownership, or the purchase of automobiles. What a large population does is allows for the creation of a permanent unemployed underclass. Under a supply side economic system the working poor and the middle class would have  to pay more taxes and be more productive without seeing significant increases in wages. The upper class gentry would have to pay more taxes to sustain both the state and population. A major revision of the tax code would have to be implemented for the sake of preventing possible economic turmoil. Another factor has to do with technology and the loss of jobs from a changing workplace. Automation could soon make human labor obsolete. If it is realized that there are not enough jobs for a enormous population, this would further add to discord in society. Then the age of the workforce becomes a problem. Older workers will suffer under a mass influx of younger workers when jobs are limited. Experience and qualification become irrelevant to employers when they have to consider benefits or pensions for employees. The goal of any business or company under a capitalist system is to have profit maximization to the highest apex. Hiring older workers would just be more of a burden. This would create more tension among the youth and older generation in the workforce. A job market that is so competitive also may form more ethnic and sex hostilities. This makes the prospect of an economic depression more terrifying. If banks were to fail, while a stock market crash occurs this would induce mass unemployment and poverty. If the population cannot have the ability to advance themselves economically, this could be a catalyst for rebellion. Maintaining a stable economy becomes more of a challenge with an enormous population. 

            The social consequences are more extensive  with large populations growth. Women are particularly impacted with dramatic population growth. The size of the population indicates in an indirect manner the status of women's reproductive rights. Limited access to contraception or abortion contributes to rapid growth. Women are placed in this system of mass growth in a secondary status. Countries that value women's traditional gender roles as wife and mother restrict their freedom. The sex balance becomes distorted, because many female babies are victims of infanticide. This has been the case in India and China which are two of the world's counties with the largest populations. Although there has been progress to address the gender inequality in these societies, there are still a number people who do not value women or their rights. 

While population growth can reveal much about the condition of women, there also needs to be a solicitous approach to children. Education and the availability of it is essential to maintaining a functional country. Countries must make public education free to all children of the world to ensure a skilled and competent workforce. Many nations of the global south do not have the funds to make public education free for all children. Even wealthy nations do not adequately invest in students. The United States mostly funds public education through property taxes. This creates an unequal system of education. If US education was federally funded, this may reverse some inequalities in education. Children's quality of life could be effected negatively in societies with large populations. Teachers may not be able to cope teaching in large classes. Children's quality of education may suffer under such conditions. The youth must be prepared to run the society of the future. Besides the condition of women and children, the matter of feeding the populace becomes another concern. Growing populations demand a high level of food. The Green Revolution was suppose to solve problems of human starvation. Yet, there are still countries that struggle with feeding their populations. This is not entirely related to the number of people. Some nations are deliberately starved. Iraq was subjected to the oil for food program, when previously it was able to produce its own sustenance. Nations may be more reliant on importation of cereals or wheat and if  they are under sanctions or in confrontation with particular nations this could effect their food supply. Climate change can also effect subsistence agriculture. Desertification and change in erosion patterns can devastate farmers. Arable land could become a rare occurrence if climate change goes unchecked. This also relates to the preservation of the environment. The more people the more consumption of resources. Scarce resources would be contested for more vigorously. Fossil fuels would be consumed more by large populations, which would create more conflict. Oil has already caused many conflicts across the globe with the US and China competing for the remaining reserves. Limited regulation and the constant use of fossil fuels could result in more air pollution, which will have a deleterious effect on human health. Crime could also be a consequence of larger populations. Although there are multiple factors for why crime exists, lack of resources may force people into such acts. Few jobs, limited social programs, and poverty could force people to be reliant on the black market, theft, or drug dealing. Controlling crime waves would be futile with an immense population. Prisons would not be able to manage overcrowding of their facilities. These scenarios could become reality especially in an urban environment. More people are going to be living in cities in the future and the global population will continue to grow. The social consequences of population growth could be more difficult to manage for various nations. 

          The world has reached a unique stage in history. There are more people on Earth than centuries past. This is not only from the fact more babies are being born, rather humanity has reached a point of high longevity. It is more likely depending on which country one lives to reach old age. A development like this has changed the way individuals think about life and society. Retirement, economic and personal finance have become more important. A longer life also gives way to more concerns about healthcare. Aging populations need affordable healthcare. These are new considerations related to population growth. While incredibly large populations can create problems, smaller populations also have a challenge. A country with a small population may face labor shortages and find itself unable to finance its welfare system or public institutions. Japan has to deal with under-population, which they are feeling the effects of  both economically and socially. There needs to be enough young people in the workforce to aid the social programs of a country. Family size  and birth rates would have to be large enough to accommodate the retired population. It may also require a program of immigration to meet labor demands. Unrestrained population growth creates a level of instability. Proper analysis of a problem can lead to a practical solution. A solution should not be based on Malthusian ideology. Simultaneously, it should not be targeted at particular countries. The population programs of the UN or other international bodies target African, Asian, and Latin American countries indicating a racial bias. This also extends to economics in which the West blames developing nations attempting to industrialize for the increased rate of carbon emissions. The EU countries and the United States are the biggest consumers of fossil fuels compare to the least developed nations. The culpability does not rest on the global south countries. There must be an emphasis on women's  reproductive rights and a functional system of welfare. If governments do not take a proactive approach to population growth, running  a nation-state may become insuperable.             

        

    

Irwin Tang on John McCain

As the nation mourns senator John McCain, there has been nothing more than lavish praise for his life and career. Democrats and Republicans have spoken highly of this long serving politician, yet he was not the American hero that many in the mainstream media have been praising. John McCain has a long history of racism and specifically an anti-Asian bias. Irwin Tang published a book in 2008 called Gook John McCain's Racism and Why It Matters. The anti-Asian ethnic slur was a term used to dehumanize people of  Filipino, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese descent. The slur was first called goo goo in reference to Filipinos  and then was turned into gook in reference to Haitians when the US invaded that country in 1915. The epithet is not only used to dehumanize, but as a rallying cry for war. John McCain regularly used the term to refer to Asian people. The only reason he stopped was that in the year 2000 he was running for president. This matter was not even mentioned when he ran for president eight years later. His image as war hero and public servant  was not tarnished. America never has confronted its legacy of racism and imperialism in Southeast Asia. Irwin Tang explains that John McCain's racist ideas could influence policy that could lead to a war with Iran and possible human rights abuse. The Republican Party has used hate and fear to gain votes among white voters. This method included   was used during the election of 2008, when John McCain refused to address the growing birther movement or the islamophobic sentiment within his campaign.  Irwin Tang warns of the growing revival of racist sentiment the John McCain unleashed in 2008, which would later be a force in the election of  2016.  

Kofi Annan's Statement on Iraq (2003)

Kofi Annan (1938-2018) was UN Secretary General from 1997 to 2006. He wanted a United Nations that favored a rational diplomacy as opposed to military based intervention. There were many challenges during his tenure. The Second Congolese Civil War, the NATO invention in Kosovo, and the Iraq War. The Bush administration wanted to get support of the United Nations for military action against Iraq. Secretary of State Colin Powell went to the UN claiming that Iraq was arming itself with chemical and biological weapons. This message of weapons of mass destruction was based on unreliable intelligence and had an ulterior motive to it. The US was not honest about Iraq and was seeking to remove Saddam Hussein to remake the Middle East. Kofi Annan urged the US and UK not to intervene. This nation building project led to the rise of ISIS and a more powerful Iran. Kofi Annan had been a supporter of responsibility to protect, which some criticized as violation of national sovereignty. The reason he became an advocate of such a policy was due to the Rwandan genocide. The UN was under criticism for the conduct of the Yugoslavian collapse in the 1990s. Annan as shown in the video from 2003 shows that he advocates peaceful resolutions, rather than humanitarian intervention by means of military force. Kofi Annan was attempting to reform the United Nations and prevent the world from losing faith in the international organization. The Ghanaian diplomat will best be remembered for reforming an international body in which the world powers too often dominate. His leadership encouraged other to change the way in which the UN was run, but challenges still remain in the complex world of international affairs.     

RIP Aretha Franklin

Apple Has Become A Trillion Dollar Company

The company that was started by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak has become a trillion dollar company. Apple may have more wealth than the US government in the future. While this is an example of stunning business, it causes complications. The possibility that Apple could use its influence on politics or consumer advocacy would be cause for alarm. If other companies cannot remain competitive, Apple may end up being a monopoly in which consumers have little choice. Microsoft continues to be Apple's main rival  in the field of information technology. However, it does not have the same level of enticement with consumers compared to Apple. Some have criticized the company of creating a technology cult and exploiting customers. There was a void that was left after the death of Steve Jobs. He was an innovator who thought of technology that one would imagine in a science fiction film. This did not harm the profitable company seeing as it reached a milestone in terms of net worth. If  the company has reached a trillion dollar mark, this means there is no legitimate excuse not to increase employee wages or salaries. As long as the principle of supply and demand operate in an economic system there should relative stability. Apple's biggest challenge is to continue to be innovative and produce new technology. If it does not a gradual decline will occur. There comes a time in which companies may fail or deteriorate due to various factors. Apple may face this same fate if it does not continue to explore new hardware, software, or new computing technologies. Simply making iphones with minor variations every few years may not be enough to placate long time customers. Another issue with such immense power of a trillion dollar company is the protection of consumer data. What has occurred with Facebook could be happening with other tech companies . Apple has a responsibility to consumers to protect user data and make terms of service policies clear. Without such regulation,  the right to privacy may be at risk. Apple should also be willing to pay its proper share of taxes. Regardless of popular belief, tax breaks to not encourage growth or more employment. There will be other companies attempting to reach a trillion dollar net worth and this may cause certain social and political problems. The disparity in wealth, a distorted federal income tax,  and the possible stifling of competition and creativity could generate discord in public spaces and the market place.