This document discusses national identity and some of the complex issues surrounding it. It defines nationalism and explains how countries often try to reduce strong nationalism by promoting values of democracy, freedom and international cooperation. However, nationalism remains a powerful force that is reinforced through education, sports, politics and national symbols. It also addresses how globalization, migration, terrorism and multinational corporations challenge traditional notions of national identity and ownership.

1. National Identity

3. Starter
• Why do we need IGOs to help protect our
environment
• Why do some countries persistently ignore
environmental rules and regulations

4. Learning Objectives
• Understand the concept of Nationalism
• Consider the different aspects of our
National Identity
• Appreciate that some countries are more
nationalistic than others
• Assess the reasons why national identity is
often hard to understand

5. What is our National Identity
• After conflict often countries base
themselves on democracy, freedom,
respect and liberty
• This is often a way of reducing nationalism
• The EU and UN are based on these
• We try to weak nationalism through
internationalism and IGOs
• However Nationalism remains a powerful
force

6. • The Balkans shows how powerful
nationalism can be
• Nationalism can be reinforced through
– Education
– Sport
– Politics
• Where loyalty to a particular group can be
reinforced

7. Public Events
• These often present an
opportunity for
nationalism to be seen.
• Extremism can be seen
via the National Front or
the BNP

8. • A desire to show national pride such as
sporting events or the opening of the
Olympic games

9. Loyalty
• Nationalism inspires loyalty and devotion
• Its often associated with slogans or
symbols
– Flags
– Anthems
– Currency
– Passports
• Identity and Loyalty are often tied to legal
systems and methods of governance
• We concentrate our loyalty by often
criticising another system.
• Football teams is a prime example of this

10. National Identity and
Multinationalism
• Thanks to globalisation we are now
interconnected
• Emerging countries are developing deeper
connections with the developed world
• This results in migration
• This creates multinationalism with many
ethnic groups
• Questions of national identity therefore
become more complex
• In the UK people see themselves as
English, Scottish or Welsh before they see
themselves as British

11. Terrorism
• Global terrorism has created tension with
Muslim communities in secular countries
• Islamic Society of Britain recognise that first
generation migrants may have felt culturally
displaced from their home countries
• Yet third and second generation Muslims
regard the UK as their home

12. Challenges
• Made In Britain is a very complex notion
• Many British firms are owned by foreign
companies
• There is much confusion about this.
– HP Sauce?
– Dyson
– Royal Doulton
– Rayleigh
• None are British owned
• It’s not always as simple as we feel
• Our national identity through our products are
often not owned by the companies we think

13. Loss of Heritage
• House of Fraser
• Sarsons vinegar
• Branston Pickle
• Walker Crisps
• Weetabix
• Jaguar
• Manchester United
• Tetley
• Smirnoff
• Newcastle Brown Ale
• Scottish Power
• Thames Water
• O2
• Heathrow Airport
• Boots UK
• Cadbury
• Terry's Chocolate Orange
• Rolls Royce

14. Westernisation
• The world’s largest 500 companies
generate $31.2 trillion in revenue and $1.7
trillion in profit and employ 65 million
worldwide
• British GDP = $2.86 trillion
• This is equal to the whole output of Italy in
profits per year.
• They come from 36 countries but the
majority are based in the USA, Europe, SE
Asia
• All project their influence globally through
ownership of foreign companies

15. TNCs
• Those in the western world have much greater
connections than elsewhere
• They promote the capitalist model
• Brand-orientated consumerism has lead to
unethical exploitation in the worlds poorest
countries (Remember the UNs first ideas that were
voted down?)
– Entitled to regulate and control activities of MNC
operating within their territory
– Free to nationalise or expropriate foreign property on
conditions favourable to them
– Free to set up associations of primary commodities
producers similar to OPEC others should respect this
right and not challenge it
– Able to benefit from stable and equitable prices for raw
materials, tariffs and transfer of technology and
Economic assistance should be free from conditions.
• This never happened….

16. TNCs and Land Grabs
• The West grabbing Africa?