Nationalism through the looking glass

• Source: The Global Times
• [21:45 May 03 2009]
• Comments

Foreign pace
Some of Ben-Canaan's friends refer to him as wai guo ren or as lao wai for short. But Ben- Canaan prefers them to use his name, not his origins. “That happens whenever and wherever I am,” wrote Ben-Canaan, “I am being reminded constantly that I am NOT one of them — even if I were.”

Actually, the key to successful development of a country is “accepting,” and that is also why China has made rapid progress since the Reform and Opening, according to Krippendorf.

“This is helpful to a country's development,” he said, “and in history no country could make such progress without opening its doors.”

Korea is different, however. Although the South Korean government has been promoting economic globalization for “diplomatic reasons,” said Cho, “the Korean people are still not willing to buy foreign products” and “some five-star restaurants even refuse Japanese people.”

Few foreign cars can be found on Korean roads. “We would feel very sad if one day Hyundai announced bankruptcy, but Americans won't feel distress over one bankrupt American car,” said Cho.

In the US, said Krippendorf, rich people will buy good and expensive cars, while those not so rich will buy cheap no matter where the vehicles come from, and “so do Chinese people.” In Krippendorf's eyes, this is where China most resembles the US.

Foreign brands like McDonald's, KFC, Coca-Cola, Nike and Adidas can be seen throughout urban China, but most interviewees think this has little or nothing to do with nationalism.

“This is only a symbol of continuing globalization,” said Nelson.

“I don't think it shows less nationalism,” said Caleb. “It's just because they are very new to China, since they have not been around long.”

Lim, a South Korean, also considers it “conforms to the trend of the times,” and Cho admits foreign brands bring China advanced experience and modern management.

American-brand products like McDonald's, KFC, Coca-Cola and Nike are “not a form of nationalism,” and they “do not constitute any legal state-country with an authority over the individual,” according to Ben-Canaan.

“Every country tries to maintain and elevate its sense of nationalism. The question is how it does it and to what degree,” said Ben-Canaan.

Though having different views in some aspects, both Cho and Krippendorf think nationalism means helping one's country to develop and improve. “Chinese should focus on their personal behavior like observing traffic laws, standing in line, protecting environment,” said Cho. Krippendorf agreed with Cho. “Nationalism should be expressed in a healthy way like volunteering free of charge for the Olympic Games, observing traffic regulations, etc,” said Krippendorf.