In his article entitled “When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism,” Jonathan Haidt explains why right-wing populism is increasingly gaining popularity in Western democracies. The article starts with the author citing the rise of Donald Trump in the US and the assortment of right-wing parties in Europe following the June 23 Brexit vote. Haidt compares these developments to the Zika virus of politics, which sets the stage for his argument that nationalism is surpassing globalism in major Western democracies. In essence, Haidt refers to how populist movements are becoming more critical about immigration in the developed world, which is a culmination of globalization, to demonstrate how nationalism is beating globalism.
The structure of Haidt’s article cannot be overemphasized, as it enables readers to follow through the developing argument. The article starts with a detailed abstract which gives a general overview of how the author develops his argument in the subsequent four chapters. Each of the four chapters is used to advance a particular idea culminating in a progressive build-up of the overall argument. Haidt refers to and cites the works of other scholars, mainly presented in block quotes, to support his argument, making the article authoritative and credible.
In overview, Haidt’s article shows how globalization has been a disadvantage to some people, especially the working class in Western societies. He asserts that globalization has led to economic prosperity throughout the world, although the working class in the developed countries has been deprived. Apparently, globalization has seen many low-skilled but well-paying jobs shipped overseas or given to immigrants for lesser pay. The culminating effect has been rising resentment and hostility towards immigrants. Therefore, populist groups are increasingly advocating for nationalism to curtail the undesirable effects of globalization.
To sum up, Haidt uses this comparative analysis approach with support from external sites to explain why nationalism is taking over globalization in Western democracies. As a psychologist, Haidt presents clear evidence in favor of his position and illustrates it by thorough analysis. Although the author cannot give the answers to the questions posed at the end of the article, he manages to make his audience think deeply and reflect on the issue.
Work Cited
Haidt, Jonathan. “When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism.” The American Interest, vol. 12, no. 1, 2016, Web.