A U.S. presidential campaign ran on a platform of nationalism, with the pledge of making America great again, although the candidate, at least partially fashioned in his own line from China, is head of a transnational corporation with globalism to thank for the great wealth amassed. The cabinet appointees, unsurprisingly, have been heads of multinational corporations and/or independently wealthy, as well as, leading a charge to privatize every aspect of our economy. The “America first” policy, accordingly, clearly must ring hollow to most, appearing to only apply to the “little people,” the working middle class and poor American citizens. In the face of an administration overflowing with wealth and corporate influence, how are regular American citizens supposed to navigate the rhetoric in order to know the real impact of the policies of this administration. Among the nationalism and globalism paradox, American citizens seek basic needs and attainable resources, such as, healthcare, education and housing. American citizens, thus, may do well to identify and expose the financial rather than perceived patriotic interests behind legislation impacting our basic human needs.
“America first,” is a great slogan. Nostalgic, though tragically near to impossible to achieve, in an age of transnational corporations. The America first policy might mislead one to believe that the end result of such a policy would be to the benefit of American citizens. Nationalism evokes notions of guaranteed work and an attainable lifestyle. Nationalism, in an era of globalization, however, merely exists in isolated instances, imposing protectionism and unfair markets for the sake of preserving employment for a particular labor pool of a corporate interest, or local crafts, trades and unions.
Nationalism sounds nice, favoring jobs for local labor over off-shore / outsourced labor. Nationalism promotes strong borders, as a response to claims that immigrants drain public services without reimbursement, dilute the labor pool, and diminish employment opportunities for locals. Nationalism mischaracterizes immigration as a problem to be solved or eliminated, even in light of a U.S. congressional report on immigration which noted that immigrants contribute a net increase to the gross domestic product (GDP). Nationalism is a protectionist policy often implemented using trade tariffs and other protectionist measures in an attempt to benefit local constituents. In the context of globalism, what appears as a local beneficiary, such as, a few dozen minimum wage jobs at Home Depot, is often the local presents of a transnational corporation.
Nationalism, despite the warm feelings evoked, costs Americans more in higher prices that in turn often subsidize the protected national markets. For example, when the U.S. administration imposes tariffs on agricultural products from China, and in response China imposes tariffs on agricultural products impacting American farmers, the U.S. administration then provides subsidies to the American farmers harmed by China’s tariffs, causing American citizens to pay for the subsidy. Higher prices for higher value crafts, trades and services, makes buying local compelling, but most struggling Americans unfortunately live happy to take advantage of the lowest price regardless of impact to local economies.
Globalization, in contrast to nationalism, promotes open borders and the free flow of labor and goods, all to bring us low low prices, but at what cost. Globalization is orchestrated by transnational corporations that coordinate resources in various nations and align intra-government policies, in order to realize a profit. As many as 70 transnationals make up the top 100 economic entities (countries and corporations) in the entire world. Only 30 out of some 200 countries are ranked in the list. The largest transnationals are considered more valued and influential than many countries and heads of states. Unpacking the basic nature of a transnational corporation, no national allegiance should be expected from a transnational, but if given, be at least suspicious of ulterior profit driven motives.
Vigilance may be required to identify globalist corporate interests disguised as nationalism. Transnational corporations sometime have common interests that appear to align with nationalists policies. A transnational private prison, for example, may lobby for one or more nationalist agenda issues, such as strong borders, in order to increase prison populations and thereby profits, while lobbying against human rights initiatives (mental health / healthcare) that would increase costs to operate. Regardless of nationalism or globalism leanings, understand that by supporting initiatives that allow corporations to exploit basic human needs and human rights, threatens the constitutional and human rights of all Americans.
A real nationalist message might say, “If you want to put your neighbor to work, employed on a livable wage, stop shopping at Walmart and Amazon.” More local stores and shops have been closed, and jobs eliminated because of Walmart and Amazon, two mega transnational corporations. Walmart is ranked tenth largest of all the economic entities of the world following the nine wealthiest countries, including the United States, China, Germany, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Brazil, and Canada. The general disregard by transnationals to adequately fund healthcare or provide a living wage should not be surprising, nor is the fact that one of the wealthiest people in the world is the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, who also employs thousands of minimum wage workers with little or no healthcare. Walmart, the largest minimum wage employer in the U.S., provides health insurance only to limited management roles. Transnationals lobby to suppress employer costs, including healthcare, wages, and impose restrictive employment arrangements. Walmart allows most workers to go without healthcare or a living wage. Expect Walmart to oppose pro-worker legislation. American citizens actively supporting worker rights may do well to identify legislators supported by Walmart, and expose the corporate interests and ties.
Corporations dictate legislation in areas of basic human needs with million dollar lobbying budgets effectively preserving control. American citizens may do well to eliminate for-profit markets and prohibit corporate lobbying in areas of basic human needs, such as, healthcare, education, and housing, from which corporations have no interest to eliminate profit. American citizens may consider instituting a regulatory commission to over see administration of services directed to basic human needs in a similar manner to a regulatory commission for utility companies. For example, institute a single payer, like medicare/medicaid or Veterans Affairs, to set rates for medical services, housing and education. Regardless of the oxymoronic notions of American nationalism in the age of globalism, areas of basic human needs should be protected from opportunities for political oppression and corporate exploitation.
Fix Capitalism for the betterment of human development and quality of life.