Nationalism and patriotism are two phenomenon that have troubled various regions of the world in recent centuries. These two motivate people to die and sacrifice their lives, they incite emotions and passion – and they give birth to conflicts and destructive wars as well. In the genius and emotive words of Albert Einstein, ‘nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind’.
As someone who has spent his early childhood years in four different countries, I often find it incredibly odd that people love their countries and fellow nationals as if they knew every part and person in their respective nation-states.
It was therefore heartening to hear Imran Khan mention the European Union in his first speech as Prime Minister-Elect. While it is a far-fetched dream to implement EU border policies with Pakistan’s neighbouring countries due to problems of terrorism and inherent conflict of interests, the intention and the effort will be worthwhile if effective steps are taken towards the implementation of this goal.
One only has to look around the world to understand the adverse effects of patriotism. Many would agree, for instance, that European Union member-states are least likely to wage war on each other. In contrast, countries which do not have a relationship based on the fundamentals that the EU encompasses have a consistently frosty and fractional understanding, an example of this is the Middle East.
Like Europe, the Middle-East has a shared history of religion, language and ethnicity. Unlike Europe, they take a lot of pride in recently constructed borders and national identities.
The above contrast between Europe and the Middle-East should be a warning to leaders in our and our neighbouring countries to contain nationalism and patriotism, as well as eliminate its perverse effects.
It may sound like fanciful and wishful thinking – it isn’t, however.
Just as Mr Imran Khan intends to send a team of advisers to China to learn about poverty elimination, he should also send a team of experts to Brussels to learn lessons of peaceful neighbourly relations. For progress with regards to the economy, war on terror and poverty doesn’t just depend on internal factors, institutions and governance but also on co-operation with regional and strategic powerhouses. As long as ‘divide et impera’ isn’t diminished our part of the world, “New Pakistan” will face hurdles which it will be unable to conquer by itself.
Of course this requires not just Pakistan’s effort and resources, but also those of India and Afghanistan. Initiating the first step, however, will undoubtedly put a pressure on Mr Narendra Modi and Mr Ashraf Ghani to respond in kind.
It is already the case that India’s Prime Minister has expressed desire for ‘neighbourhood peace’. Therefore, it is an entirely pragmatic aim that if Imran Khan lays down the EU’s principle as the building block for ‘neighbourhood peace’ that his Indian counterpart will be compelled to respond in a similar fashion. If they chose not to respond in a likewise manner then their electorates will certainly hold them accountable because it is the common people who have suffered most due to hostilities between these neighbouring countries.
There are, undoubtedly, some segments of society that will resist and even retaliate against such peaceful relationship. Those segments ought to be opposed and their thinking reformed for the greater and long-term good. Just look at the progress Europe has made in the last 70 years or so since World War Two. This would have never been possible without a collective, group-based effort. From the ruins and horrors of the mid-twentieth century to excellent governance and the protection of human rights in twenty-first century: these are the wonders that can be accomplished within 70 years if countries put their heads together and pool sovereignty.
For many this may seem impossible. But then again, twenty-two years ago Imran Khan becoming Prime Minister was also thought to be impossible.
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Muhammed Raza Hussain is an award-winning writer: the Extra-Mile winner of the News Quest Young Reporter Scheme 2014 and received a ‘Talent for Writing’ certificate by Young Writers. Twitter @MuhammedRaza786 | Instagram: @M.Raza.H_
