Globalization became highly important concept in modern politics and international relations throughout the last decade. There were several ideologies and political thoughts which were challenged by wave of globalization. If the development of mankind was visualized it would be possible to observe that there is a gradual rapprochement between peoples, nations and cultures. Previously, countries nd peoples of the world have been isolated from each other. 

Globalization became highly important concept in modern politics and international relations throughout the last decade. There were several ideologies and political thoughts which were challenged by wave of globalization. If the development of mankind was visualized it would be possible to observe that there is a gradual rapprochement between peoples, nations and cultures. Previously, countries nd peoples of the world have been isolated from each other. Now they come into close connection depth - they all are under mutual contacts, mutual relations. There are various types of international and regional organizations and institutions that govern political, cultural, economic and other relations between states and peoples. Global system is very complex and diverse. It involved people and the state, standing on different levels of development with their national culture and traditions, their religious views and beliefs. All this puts a lot of new challenges or opportunities that humanity has not yet been realized and has not learned to solve or use in accordance with the new realities. For example, globally significant international organizations are one of them. International Organizations as United Nations became place where different countries with different view on world interact with each other in wider context. This essay looks at significance of globalization and its impact on such notions as national identity and ethnicity. It is argued that globalization undermines national identity in terms of its patriotism, immigration, economy, traditions and several other features.

From a historical memory, national identity is associated with patriotism. If in the era

globalization, national borders disappear, it will challenge as well as patriotism and so called love of country, its traditions, customs, culture and further things related with patriotism. Some researchers reject patriotism, others, on the contrary, protect it. It would not be wrong to claim that supporters of patriotism are wrong. Society is not obliged to preserve its ethnic identity; it is necessary and would be better to promote universal human rights rather than limit human potential with nationalistic and conservative dogmas. Conservative presumption of nation-states serves to protection of former status-quo and existing order.

Since end of cold war liberalism and idea of creation of borderless global world became superior among international relations scholars. As we know, globalization as political phenomenon and idea covers and embraces world politics with strong international organizations with no state power and intervention. In modern international relations studies, we perceive liberals as globalists. It’s totally undermines role of nation-states and status of military. So, it is not surprising that globalization with aim of creating borderless international arena underestimates nationalism.

Nationalism throughout centuries was tool in hand of right-wing leaders, political parties and establishments. The dominance of the ethnic component of nationalism at the state level, and even its use to achieve the effect of the mobilization is fraught with devastating consequences for the state. Nationalism is a powerful source of social power, which has both creative and destructive force, depending on the direction of policy, where the face of consistent and national interests. Ethnic conflicts taking place in the world today clearly show any danger brings with nationalism: the growing threat of civil war or ethnic, economic inefficiency, disruption of the normal functioning of democratic institutions. For instance, stand of Republican candidate Donald Trump is one of actual and controversial topics and debates in modern politics and international relations and is directly related to our essay topic. Trump is in favor of preserving core ethnic identity of America-white Anglo-Saxon protestants, establishing it as an American nation and he is opposing against wave of immigration of Latinos, Africans and Muslims to his country. It is unfortunately having similar effects on several other countries too. French right-wing political figure Le Pen argues that her country must limit number of immigrants from North African countries and therefore she has been criticized by the members of European Parliament and civil society leaders. Undoubtedly, in modern era this view faces with much official and public opposition. Aim to protect national identity from so called ‘foreigners’ contradicts with European Union’s integration and unity goals so it contradicts with globalization. It is impossible to claim that nationalism and liberalism can be compatible together.

But in contrast it is inevitable accept that those who are in favor of preserving national identity in Europe has quite convincing arguments for their audience too. The question of national identity was not prominent subject of debate in Europe until the last decade when the problem of immigration, particularly Muslim, has become an important political issue. This question is even more intensified after the terrorist attacks in September 2001 and other attacks and assassinations that took place in Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, etc. All of them have increased the likelihood that radical Islamist groups try to undermine the very foundations of democratic societies. If turn to the question of European identity and that is why it has become a special challenge for this generation of Europeans; then we can learn that the European identity is problematic, because the European project was based on anti-national identity. It was called to go beyond national self-interest and the antagonisms that characterized the twentieth century, politics in Europe. And, therefore, there was a belief that there will be created a new universal European identity, which will replace the old Italian, German or French identity. But also, argues in favor of the fact that these old identity will never disappear, even if they are not in the political sense, something worthy of lengthy discussions. Especially at the grassroots level – it is hard to state that the people of European countries ever forget that they are the Germans, the Dutch, the Danes and Swiss.

The ghosts of the old identities are becoming a real problem with the influx of immigrants and the growth of immigrant communities, who do not always share the traditional European values. The terrorist activity was aimed at to make it clear that in this community there are people who do not share the basic values ​​on which Europeans grew up, people, initially hostile to them and prepared to resort to violence to undermine the moral fabric of this community. Consequently, the question of identity and national identity, "What you have to the community in which you live?" comes to the force.

For instance, French national identity in one hand, the least problematic, because there exists a unique republican tradition that originated in the revolution - a tradition which, being secular, applies equally to all citizens. In many ways, the French idea is viable only for a modern society that is not based on ethnicity, race or religion, but on citizenship, abstract political values, which may adhere to the people of different cultures.

The French national identity is largely built around the French language. It is hard to be not impressed by the fact that Leopold Senghor, Senegalese poet, has been recognized by the French Academy in the 1940s: it was an important symbol; it indicates that the French see their identity. If you speak French and can write in French graceful poetry, you are qualified for the French Academy. Thus, it is the republican sense of identity is the basis for French citizenship.

Many people point to the riots, the case in the French suburbs in 2005, as proof that there is an Islamist threat in France. It is an example of a complete lack of understanding of what was happening in France. The Islamist threat coming from Algeria, existed in the early 1990s and has been neutralized by the French secret services. Threat taken place in the French banileues (suburbs) had a completely different nature. Rebel people did not deny the French identity. They are attached great importance to the objectives of that French society puts in front of them, but they were unable to reach them. They could not get work: the prospects available for the white Frenchmen were inaccessible to them because of racial discrimination, and it was the source of their misery. It's like having repeatedly occurred in recent American history, African-American riots in American cities. And by the way, I think that of all the European countries, France closest to the United States to recruit political values ​​that shape identity. Both examples show what can happen in the wider European context.

Researchers of globalization, both domestic and foreign, must be addicted to the study of integration issues. We must be aware that the integrative processes are crucial in understanding of national identity in modern era. For example, the European Union, in addition to the coordination of joint actions on this or other issues, is the true integration of the peoples of Europe. EU has common accepted ideals, values, norms as a modern community. You can’t think EU without liberal human rights values, promotion of free-market economy or support for ethnic or sexual minority rights. In general, the European Union is a clear example of union of peoples and a union of states.

We can claim that the future of nationalism as a political ideology and practice, depend on the future of Europe, on how the process will develop European integration, how successful will be the implementation of the "European project". Europe can, in my opinion, offer the best options for national solutions to problems. The question is whether it will be able to do it or narrow national interests prevail over the pan-European and universal. It seems that in the coming years we will find the answer to this question.

Summing up, we can say that in a globalized world for the understanding and development of dialogue between different cultures and spirits we need modernization and the development of a new system of values ​​to achieve synthesis of civilization while maintaining cultural pluralism. At least, it is going beyond the stereotypes and dogmas of the "closed" culture, overcoming the "dead traditions", largely preventing the various countries and nations cope with global challenges, such as poverty and hunger, illiteracy and poor health. In this case, the dialogue is a solution and a way of organizing people living together on this planet, because there are dialogic range of different forms of contact, interaction, interface in the present past and future, that is common to all transitional periods. Dialogue based on pluralism and partnership, recognizing the equality of cultures, it is a basic principle of the interaction of cultures in a globalizing world. Thus, we can say that it is following this principle is an important strategic task that can be regarded as a step towards the preservation of cultural diversity.

Kamran Shirinzade,

MArt,Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy