globalization and political culture

The number of refugees leaving their disillusioned homelands and countries ripped apart by war, brutality, and populism is rising worldwide. Stringent policies imposed not only by the US government but also by other nations, in response to the influx of refugees are harsh and can have a negative effect on human rights. Most countries are reluctant to admit refugees because some of them have been linked to global terrorist attacks.
How Do Nationalistic Emotions Impact the Refugee Crisis?
The refugee situation has been ongoing for quite some time. However, it is also relatively recent in most European and American countries. There is a rapid increase in the number of refugees fleeing their disillusioned homelands and countries torn by war, brutality, and extremism. Stringent measures placed not only by the United States government, but also other countries concerning the influx of refugees are harsh and might lead to detrimental impacts on human rights. Most nations fear to offer refugees asylum since some of them have been linked to global terrorist attacks.

How Nationalistic Sentiments Affect Refugee Crisis

The refugee crisis has been around for a substantial amount of time. However, it is relatively new to most countries in Europe and the United States of America. There is a rapid increase in the number of refugees globally, and by 2014 more than 14% of the global population was displaced with most of them residing in the developed countries (Holmes & Castaneda, 2016). A nation that has significantly contributed to the influx of refugees in the recent past is Syria. More than 200,000 Syrian refugees have applied for asylum in different European countries, but this figure is much lower in comparison to the number of people internally displaced and ravaged by the economic and political instability in the country (Holmes & Castaneda, 2016). More than 220,000 people seeking asylum have arrived in Europe in the past few years, which is a manifestation of the dire humanitarian situation facing the world. This figure is lower in comparison to the estimated 900,000 refugees landing on the shores of Greece and Italy (Holmes & Castaneda, 2016). Since most of the refugees arriving or seeking asylum in Europe in the recent past come from Syria, it is an indication they have given up hope in rebuilding their lives in Syria because the war seems not to be ending anytime soon. Reports from the Turkish government suggests that more than 400,000 school going children have been severely affected by the conflict in Syria (Damoc, 2016).

From 1965, immigration in the United States went through significant changes. The amendments to the immigration and nationality act were geared at repealing and replacing the national origins quotas. This was geared at reducing the massive influx of people migrating to the United States from Russia, Italy, and Poland (Moraga & Rapoport, 2015). The repealing of the act became an impediment for individuals seeking to migrate to the US from the original quotas, but opened the avenue for other regions previously restricted from migrating such as Asia and Africa. Repealing the act was meant to reduce racism in the US. Therefore, visas could be issued using a new system that encouraged neutrality anchored on family reunions and labor needs (Moraga & Rapoport, 2015). Currently, both the US and Europe are caught at crossroads torn between values, freedom, justice, as well as the right of the state to protect its citizens against terrorism. The nationalistic groups that have emerged in the recent past require less control and are geared at returning power to the nation state. The world is gradually witnessing a renaissance of the politics of fear.

Recently, the global war on terror has reached its climax with most countries adjusting their foreign policies to reject refugees coming from the Middle East and other nations associated with harboring terrorist organizations. These stringent foreign policies have been hastened because radical Islamist groups in the Middle East began a holy war against the West commonly referred to as Jihad. This war has since spread into Europe, especially in France, Belgium, Italy, and England. The jihad has since replaced the gorilla wars fought in Lebanon and Afghanistan (Millsap, 2016). In this contemporary era, the enemy resides in the peaceful states of Europe and America, which has complicated the duty of governments to protect their citizens. Therefore, due to populism, refugees are perceived as terrorist threats.

Impacts of Mass Exodus of Refugees on Recipient Countries

There are numerous repercussions caused by the massive influx of refugees into Europe and America, which have resulted in far-reaching consequences. The existence and survival of the European Union has been threatened because European citizens are looking for leaders who would guarantee their safety. Moreover, refugees have not been able to maintain their identity because it is perceived to be a factor that distinguishes them from the natives. The recent elections held in Austrian is a perfect example since Norbert Hofer had an advantageous position because of promising to address the refugee crisis. The refugee crisis has also caused a conflict of interests among recipient nations, which has also led to the withdrawal of Iceland from joining the European Union since it would be obliged to receive refugees like all other member states (Bendixsen, 2016). The common minimal requirements needed to accept refugees passed under the Durban III agreement have not been implemented in most member states. Moreover, intelligence reports have revealed a worrying trend in radicalization. There is enough evidence to demonstrate that a considerable number of American and European citizens have been radicalized to join terrorist organizations. This is a big challenge to security agents because identifying such terrorists is very difficult, which gives them the advantage to plan and launch their attacks undetected. There are fears that the rate of radicalization could increase with the high influx of refugees to the west.

Why Countries are Rejecting Globalization

Regardless of how paradoxical it appears, the US immigration policy has very little to do with the immigration patterns. The new measures signed by President Trump were expected to cause a shift in immigration patterns to the US. Over a considerable period, the US has become not only the most open, but also the most restrictive nation in the world in relation to immigration. However, it is critical to note that it also depends on the economic and political circumstances of the nation (Hay & Marsh, 2016). Contrary to common perceptions, the manner in which refugees are handled is symbolic and valued by every citizen. The nation demonstrates that it is willing to assist them, but also projects its fears regarding the influx of refugees and immigrants. As a result of the increased fears about the influx of refugees and immigration, the European Union and other nations have been forced to contravene humanitarian rights by deporting refugees to their countries of origin regardless of the impending danger to their lives (Hay & Marsh, 2016). The tragic loss of life during the recent attacks in Paris have pushed other European nations to implement drastic measures to ensure that terrorist organizations do not radicalize the youth.

How the Recent Refugee Policies Affect American Muslim’s Lives

It is hard to understand the reasons that lead young people in Europe and America to radicalization despite enjoying relatively good living conditions and lifestyles. Intelligence reports have revealed that most suicide bombers in the recent past originate from relatively wealthy families residing in western nations. However, they harbor a desire to live and belong somewhere else, which makes them a prime target for radicalization. This has become a significant challenge not only in the European Union, but also in America (Haynes, 2016). Despite having the opportunity to live lavish lifestyles in the west, most children born to refugee and immigrant families have been unable to assimilate themselves into the western society completely. In response to segregation and neglect, they have developed deep resentment, hate, and anger towards western communities, which are elements exploited by jihadist and radical Islamists to radicalize them.

On the other hand, the refugee crisis in Europe and America is largely fueled by the radicalization of the citizenry against immigrants and refugees from specific nations. As a result of various economic and social challenges, many people have become psychologically disturbed leading to frustration, and hence they must adapt mechanisms through which they can manage the stress (Haynes, 2016). Extremists are some of the false saviors of such people and are continually offering to provide a solution to the refugees and immigrants rejected by the western society. These people are seeking solutions and leaders who can reduce their fear. However, instead of global leaders offering solutions, they have exacerbated the situation by making senseless proclamations that fuel hatred. For instance, Miro Cerar of Slovenia stated in no uncertain times that the country would not accept any other refugees apart from Christians.

As a nation, the US is entitled to uphold international humanitarian laws by offering asylum, resettling, and processing applications faster than it is currently doing. This will also offer the US a strategic advantage against terror organization in the global war against terrorism. Terrorist benefit from segregation and rejection of Western nations to offer asylum to refugees and immigrants to radicalize young people. The American society should not be swayed by the hysteria surrounding the refugee crisis, but offer help to needy people fleeing conflict and persecution (O'Neil, 2015). However, the populist movement against refugees in the US will eventually subside after the completion of the 2016 presidential elections as more people realize that the economic and social challenges they are facing are not in any way linked to the refugees seeking asylum. Moreover, immigrants to the US often occupy low cadre jobs that Americans would not like to take up. Therefore, they play a critical role in economic development of the country.

Conclusion

Like Europe and America, most countries around the world are torn between democratic values that guide their leadership such as freedom and maintaining their territories under justice for all. However, the imminent need to safeguard the interests and property of their citizens against terror attacks has risen. However, nationalistic parties and leaders require approval from the citizenry to enact legislations and regulations to guide and control the influx of refugees. In the recent past, there have been more arguments that the only way to control and mitigate the threat of radicalization and terrorism posed by immigrants and refugees is to deport them to their countries of origin. The global war on terror is another factor that threatens the status of refugees since it is believed that terror cells are using the influx of refugees into Europe and America to infiltrate and send combatants to the west. Moreover, radicalization has been used to justify the fight and rejection of refugees in western nations. Refugees and immigrants are perceived to enter the country after being radicalized or engage in activities to recruit young people to join terrorist organizations. Most leaders have used this pretext to legalize their stand on deportation, which has exacerbated the refugee crisis not only in Europe and America, but also all over the globe.

References

Bendixsen, S. N. (2016). The refugee crisis: destabilizing and restabilizing European borders. History & Anthropology, 27(5), 536-554.

Damoc, A. (2016). Fortress Europe Breached: Political And Economic Impact Of The Recent Refugee Crisis On European States. Annals Of The University Of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 25(1), 20-29.

Hay, C., & Marsh, D. (2016). Demystifying globalization. New York: Springer.

Haynes, J. (2016). Religion, globalization and political culture in the Third World. New York: Springer.

Holmes, S. M., & Castaneda, H. (2016). Representing the “European refugee crisis” in Germany and beyond: Deservingness and difference, life and death. American Ethnologist, 43(1), 12-24.

Millsap, C. (2016). America's Ronin Refugees: Forgotten Allies Of The Wars In Iraq And Afghanistan. Journal Of International Affairs, 69(2), 151-167.

Moraga, J. F. H., & Rapoport, H. (2015). Tradable refugee-admission quotas (TRAQs), the Syrian crisis and the new European agenda on migration. IZA Journal of European Labor Studies, 4(1), 23.

O'Neil, P. H. (2015). Essentials of comparative politics. New York: WW Norton & Company.