Is Globalism a Threat to Sovereignty?

In his first inaugural address to the United Nations, U.S. President Donald J. Trump presented his nationalist doctrine of Principled Realism which embodies the ideologies of the realist and the idealist. Policy- making under Principled Realism means preserving the national interests of United States of America above everything else without compromising its traditional set of values.

When applied to foreign policy, President Trump urges countries to foster cooperation and international assistance but without imposing one’s beliefs on another country’s sovereignty. President Trump alluded to previous administrations that ran America as if it were the global police force. According to President Trump, globalist policies created arrangements with other countries that put America in a disadvantaged position.

The goal of globalism is to bring international communities together and foster relations that establish greater parity in trade and employment by tearing down economic, political and social barriers. Globalism encourages exploration of regions where comparative cost advantages and economies of scale can improve profit margins. In theory, an improved bottom-line should lead to better quality products, more employment opportunities and higher pay.

The U.N. states that its mission is to rely on the nationalism of sovereign states to ensure security, prosperity and to make the world a better and safer place. But when you remove barriers, aren’t you imposing your beliefs on a nation’s sovereignty?

As evidenced by the Euro Zone crisis of 2009, the idea of imposing a set of beliefs on a single community set up is not realistic. Economic parity is difficult because competition will always exist between nations. Migration in talent, technology and opportunity will happen because businesses will seek a comparative advantage.

Greece became the lame duck in the Eurozone as it could no longer fund government mandated benefits. Countries that had investments or businesses with Greece were dragged down. In the end, there was no sovereignty to speak of. Greece was forced to accept unrealistic austerity measures in exchange for its bailout package.

Europe is slowly realizing the benefits of globalisation the past 60 years come at a price. This was evident in the German Elections when right-wing parties won 12.6% of the votes; its highest in 50 years, despite the win of Angela Merkel as Chancellor. It is difficult to keep your doors open when instituting programs that protect your sovereignty. Eventually, countries will have to pay the price for globalism.

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Steele Archer

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