MARK STAHLHUTH

The Rise of Nationalism

(Cuban flag)

Nationalism is an idea that has been an interesting topic to look at because of the growth of nationalism in the recent decade.  To understand it fully we must first look at what Nationalism is, and why it is growing.

My understanding of nationalism is that it is people having a large sense of pride for their county and their culture.  Furthermore, it is the process of one nation sharing its culture with the rest of the world, often times in a very ethnocentric manner.

Zakaria thinks that the rise of nationalism is especially dangerous because it makes it harder for countries to work with each other.  Cuba is a prime example of how nationalism can be a threat to a country’s livelihood.  Cuba has dealt with the United States’ nationalism for over fifty years!  Americans being incredibly patriotic have still not lifted the trade embargo with Cuba.  As of 2011, Cuba has estimated that there has been an economic loss of over 1 trillion dollars!  Who would have thought nationalism could be so expensive?

I personally do not view nationalism as a problem; instead I see it as an opportunity for citizens to come together.  Yes, people will always have pride in their country, but that certainly should not be viewed as dangerous.  It’s very comparable to American sports teams.  As a Mizzou student I don’t like Kansas, particularly I hate Kansas.  Their blue and red colors are one of the hardest things for me to have to look at, but at the end of the day we all live in the US and we can separate our differences for a greater purpose.  The same holds true for other countries and nationalism.  If something really bad is going on in the world, it is possible for two countries to separate their differences and come together to resolve the conflict peacefully.  It doesn’t matter how much pride is on the line, I have faith that the leaders of the world will do what is right.

(Ibelsi Rodriguez carries water at her Cuban home)

Unfortunately inequality is very prevalent in Cuban society. On the ground in Cuba the people are very poor, many of them living in poverty.  The divide between the rich and the poor is growing at an alarming rate, as the Cuban economy grows stronger.  The United States offers up remittances to Cuban citizens but mostly they are given to whites.  Randal Archibold of the New York Times wrote, “But some will enjoy that support more than others. Cuban economists say that whites are 2.5 times more likely than blacks to receive remittances, leaving many in crumbling neighborhoods like Little Swamp nearly invisible in the rise of commerce, especially the restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts that tourists tend to favor.” (Archibold, Web)

The inequality and racial suppression has put many Cuban people in poverty, living in extreme conditions. The state has a food stamp program that is barely enough food to last the entire month.  The people have no money and without any foreign support are left with no answers. 

Entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the economy strengthening, but unfortunately the elite class controls the majority of the money.  It is one more thing that the United States should think about as they continue to push to end the embargo.  So what do you think?  Should we lift an embargo on a country with many of their citizens living in poverty?  These are all pressing questions that need to be answered.  It is clearly a problem for the Cuban people, and its hard to see so many people so helpless.  It is also frustrating that many of us are unaware of the issue.  To learn more, visit my sources listed below.

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/17/politics/cuban-embargo-questions-answers/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/world/americas/as-cuba-shifts-toward-capitalism-inequality-grows-more-visible.html