Causes Of Nationalism In Europe

Nicole Beliakov

Geography 150

Rise in nationalism in Europe is not a new phenomenon. The history of Europe is marred by two world wars, when nationalism flourished and led to the enormous loss of human lives. During these wars, manifestations of nationalism were especially overt and even obligatory because European governments needed a justification of wars in order to mobilize people, to maintain morale and readiness of citizens to provide labor, resources, and to sacrifice their lives for the cause, and nationalism was a powerful doctrine that provided such justification. After the second world war, to avoid repetition of these tragic events, European nations began their steady advance towards economic and political integration, which culminated in the establishment of the European Union. Presently, the very foundation of the EU is under the threat due to nationalism, which has risen in prominence and popularity in the context of rising inequality, immigration of people of not only different ethnicities but also different religions, economic crises, terrorism, and shortcomings of EU system of governance.

Far right groups have gained prominence in most if not all European countries. In France, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Front party despite her loss in the recent French presidential election remains at the center of national attention. She opposes globalization and immigration as well as European Union membership of France. Nigel Farage, a right wing