All Politics Are . . . .

The late Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Thomas “Tip” O’Neil is most remembers for his observation that “all politics are local.”  It would be absurd to provide a national weather report.

Nationalism and ethnocentrism are facts of life.  That is why U.S. citizens refer to themselves as Americans (at times to the chagrin of Canadians and Argentines).  The concept of “hyphenated Americans” is becoming an anachronism with respect to second and third generations.  Of course, it is entirely appropriate to refer to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as an “Indian-American” and President Obama as an “African-American” because at least one of their parents is an immigrant.

Americans have always had a problem distinguishing between nationality and citizenship — which may be a positive phenomenon.  Still, even though our President had an African father and a white American mother, the press feels that it is appropriate to describe him as a “Black American” as opposed to a mixed race individual.  A focus on individuals would be preferable, but the human tendency is to view people within the context of groups — for example by religion or region of the country.

It seemed as if the Europeans were ahead of us in this area.  With the formation of the European Community, tariff free trade, no need for entry visas for citizens of member states and the adoption of the Euro by most of its members, the “European Man” had emerged.

This appears to be a misconception or idealism over reality.  Few French nationals living in Lyon would describe themselves as “Europeans” but as Frenchmen (or if they have parents having different citizens, they might refer to that fact).  When will Indians or Jamaicans living in London simply be described as British?  Probably not in the near future.

When the Euro was first unveiled, I predicted that it would not last more than 15 years (and the British have not given up the pound).  I doubted that national governments would abandon fiscal policy as a policy tool.  The EU leadership has not enforced their requirements with respect to the size of the deficits its members may have.  By being “flexible,” the European Union survived but what where the consequences.  The needs of the people of Portugal and Greece are not the same as that of France, Germany and Italy.

Now with the current financial crisis, country identification is back.  I dare call it “nationalism” since I cannot predict the future of Britain or Belgium.  Borders are not eternal.  The EU made them less important — but Tip O’Neil was not being chauvinistic when he made his remark.   People need an external threat or commonality of concern (e.g. global warming) to feel connected to persons unlike themselves.  Perhaps an invasion from outer space would be helpful at this time, provided we prevail.  In science fiction movies we usually do.  Suddenly the United Nations functions.  Inevitably the aliens die because they are allergic to pollen.  I have never read a book about what happens after the common enemy is defeated.