The neoliberal world order established in the 1980s under the leadership of President Ronald Reagan and his British counterpart Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has been ever expanding, or so people seem to perceive. The world that these visionaries saw was meant to unite all nations into one system, and yet, despite the USSR’s implosion in 1991, there has been an increased sense of nationalism throughout the world; no other entity exemplifies this more so than the European Union. Since the end of the second world war, there was a continued effort to create a more interdependent and united Europe, so as to avoid another bloody conflict such as that one. Beginning as the European Economic Community in 1958 then rebranding as the European Union
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Rising from the debt-riddled aftermath of the market collapse of 2008 were the Independent Greeks (ANEL), a right-wing populist party that promotes nationalistic foreign policy (SITE GUARDIAN). Their leader, Panos Kammenos, is now using the economic strife within the country as a reason to respark the need for reparations regarding Germany’s actions in the second world war (SITE GUARDIAN). Kammenos’ goal is clear, force Germany into bailing out the Greek economy. Furthermore, Greece has pondered leaving the EU due to its debt crisis, with certain critics noting the state may benefit greatly from exiting the partnership (SITE NYT ARTICLE). Greece’s situation is not unique, as many nations around the world have suffered due to their being an imbalance in the power of the actors of the global system; this metaphorical roadblock has always been in place, with nations not been allowed to better the lives of their people without first paying off debt to their benefactors (EL-ERIAN PAGE 80). In Europe, this roadblock is quite literal in how the EU regionally …show more content…
Consequently, despite being part of the union, the 28 member states all have long histories of confrontations with their neighbouring nations. These scars are visible in how the distribution of wealth is imbalanced within the EU (Meinhof). In light of their complex history, Europeans have never attempted at creating a continental identity, with many of the countries that make up the Union falling apathetic to the dealings of the partnership, as they do not consider themselves to be anything but their ethnicity (Harris); Europe’s situation is so dire that as a result of attempting to knit all the nations together under one tent - like one sees with mainstream political parties such as the Liberal Party of Canada - populism and its extreme national ideals have taken hold of power in many nations. France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are the more notorious countries wherein right-wing nationalism has become popular with the disenchanted rural population (Vieten). One of the major goals of the parties in their respective countries simple: secede from the European Union and regain independence (Vieten). For example, France’s Front National - a far-right populist party - has called for the dissolution of the Union to allow for there to be more independent decision making (Wahl). Moreover, the party, like
Rising from the debt-riddled aftermath of the market collapse of 2008 were the Independent Greeks (ANEL), a right-wing populist party that promotes nationalistic foreign policy (SITE GUARDIAN). Their leader, Panos Kammenos, is now using the economic strife within the country as a reason to respark the need for reparations regarding Germany’s actions in the second world war (SITE GUARDIAN). Kammenos’ goal is clear, force Germany into bailing out the Greek economy. Furthermore, Greece has pondered leaving the EU due to its debt crisis, with certain critics noting the state may benefit greatly from exiting the partnership (SITE NYT ARTICLE). Greece’s situation is not unique, as many nations around the world have suffered due to their being an imbalance in the power of the actors of the global system; this metaphorical roadblock has always been in place, with nations not been allowed to better the lives of their people without first paying off debt to their benefactors (EL-ERIAN PAGE 80). In Europe, this roadblock is quite literal in how the EU regionally …show more content…
Consequently, despite being part of the union, the 28 member states all have long histories of confrontations with their neighbouring nations. These scars are visible in how the distribution of wealth is imbalanced within the EU (Meinhof). In light of their complex history, Europeans have never attempted at creating a continental identity, with many of the countries that make up the Union falling apathetic to the dealings of the partnership, as they do not consider themselves to be anything but their ethnicity (Harris); Europe’s situation is so dire that as a result of attempting to knit all the nations together under one tent - like one sees with mainstream political parties such as the Liberal Party of Canada - populism and its extreme national ideals have taken hold of power in many nations. France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are the more notorious countries wherein right-wing nationalism has become popular with the disenchanted rural population (Vieten). One of the major goals of the parties in their respective countries simple: secede from the European Union and regain independence (Vieten). For example, France’s Front National - a far-right populist party - has called for the dissolution of the Union to allow for there to be more independent decision making (Wahl). Moreover, the party, like