Monograph

Nationalist attitudes and national pride in the COVID-19 era

Date 2021-11-03 View 886

 

Ethnicity forms an identity like class, religion, race, and region. Despite globalization and the continuous expansion of free trade, ethnic states are the most important actors in the modern international community. Despite large numbers of immigrants and migrants, or perhaps because of them, the meaning of a nation-state has become more important.

This paper agrees with the importance of everyday nationalism, which has recently been discussed. However, it argues that the degree varies greatly from country to country. If the myth of nationalism becomes commonplace, it will be nationalism for members of other national states, but Korean nationalism is patriotism and loyalty. However, the target is the same nation-states. The popular response to the mobilization of nationalism by elites is that they have an identity. One's identity is hidden behind the scenes, but one reacts immediately when a crisis occurs and the political elite calls one.

The second part of this paper investigates the effect of anti-pandemic policies on national identity and government trust. This pandemic has become the most serious global infection since the Spanish flu in 1918. Citizens' daily lives have collapsed and their lives have been greatly hampered. Schools are closed for a long time. Although the level of pain varies from group to group, it is undeniable that there is a great degree of pain. In an unprecedented situation, individuals rely on the government. If citizens positively evaluate the government anti-pandemic policies, then their government trust and pride in the country will rise.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the success and failure of anti-pandemic policies affect national pride the most. In addition, public trust in the government depends on the success or failure of the pandemic prevention policy. Success in preventing pandemics cannot be sustained in the long run. Regulations for pandemic prevention restrict economic activities and restrict civil liberty. It is difficult to expect continuous voluntary cooperation from citizens. If the pandemic continues, it will be difficult for the ruling party to regain power through democracy. Countries should pay attention to medical services and supplies to prevent infection and to cure disease. Paradoxically, the "prisoner's dilemma" could lead to the worst-case scenario while international cooperation is absolutely necessary.