The Future is Global: Why We Need to Overcome the Rhetoric of the Far Right

 

In a world where a social media message can trigger an international crisis and a Chinese smartphone competes with tech giants at a fraction of the cost, we find ourselves at a historical crossroads. Globalization, that unstoppable force that has redefined our lives, faces its greatest challenge: the growing threat of the far right.

The Global Landscape: Achievements and Threats

International trade, which today represents 60% of the world’s GDP — an impressive jump from 39% in 1990 — has been the engine of unprecedented progress. More than 2 billion people have escaped the clutches of extreme poverty in the last three decades, thanks largely to economic openness and the global exchange of knowledge.

However, amid this progress, a regressive force emerges. The far right, a movement that goes beyond traditional conservatism, promotes ideas dangerously close to neo-Nazism and xenophobia. In Germany, the AfD party is under surveillance for extremist tendencies, while in the United States, the FBI identifies white supremacy and #BlackLivesMatter as the main subversive internal threats.

Globalization: More than Numbers

Globalization is not just an economic statistic; it is a multifaceted disruption that redefines what is possible:

 

•     In economics, it has created a truly global market. A Peruvian artisan can sell their creations directly to a collector in Tokyo, a reality unimaginable a generation ago.
•     In technology, it has democratized access to innovation. Chinese smartphones compete with Apple and Samsung at a fraction of the cost, driving an innovation race that benefits everyone.
•     Culturally, it has enriched our lives in unimaginable ways. We enjoy South Korean K-pop, Nordic series on streaming platforms and culinary fusions that mix flavors from all continents.
•     In education and science, it has broken down barriers. Students access courses from elite universities from any corner of the planet, while scientists collaborate globally to tackle challenges like climate change and pandemics.
•     In health, it has accelerated critical advances. The global response to COVID-19, with the development of vaccines in record time, exemplifies the power of international cooperation.
•     In human rights, it has amplified previously silenced voices. Movements, like #MeToo, have become global phenomena, catalyzing change in multiple societies simultaneously.

The Fallacy of Isolationism

In the face of these advances, the far right proposes a dangerous regression. Its anti-globalization rhetoric paints a distorted picture, presenting global interconnectedness as a threat to national identity and economic security. They exploit the fear of the unknown and nostalgia for an idealized past that never existed.

This rhetoric, not only divides us as citizens of the world but is potentially devastating as it exploits differences based on resentment that no longer has a place. The most pressing challenges of our time, as we have seen and experienced, do not respect national or continental borders. None of these challenges or problems can be solved by nations acting alone, no matter how much they want to differentiate between the Global North and the Global South.

Toward an Equitable Global Future

Globalization, indeed, presents challenges, and those of us who believe in it are aware of this. Economic inequality, job losses in certain sectors, and environmental concerns are real problems that require solutions. But the answer is not to close ourselves off from the world, but to work together to create a more equitable, prosperous, safe, and sustainable global system.

Let's dream of a future where innovation accelerates thanks to borderless collaboration, where diverse teams (states and multinational companies) generate solutions to global problems, and where the cultural richness of all nations enriches our daily lives without conflict, as already happens in a city like London. This future is possible if we reject fear and division and embrace our shared humanity with clear and efficient international laws where a new UN and peacekeepers can truly be effective in countries with long and difficult conflicts to resolve through negotiation.

Conclusion: Our Shared Destiny

 Astronaut, Sultan bin Salman Al Saud, after seeing Earth from space, reflected: "The first day we all pointed to our countries. By the third or fourth day, to our continents. By the fifth day, we were aware of only one Earth." This perspective is more crucial than ever.

The call is clear: we must be citizens of the world, rooted in our cultures, but open to the vast potential of an interconnected planet. Globalization is not a threat to be feared, but a tool to forge a better future.

The future is global. It is diverse. It is collaborative. And it is ours to build. The question is not whether we can stop globalization, but how to harness its benefits while addressing its challenges. The answer lies not in walls or borders but in bridges and connections. We are at a historic turning point. We can succumb to the fear and division promoted by the far right, or we can embrace our diversity as our greatest strength. Furthermore, we can retreat to an idealized past that never existed, or move together toward a future of unlimited possibilities.

The time to act is now. Let's overcome prejudices, embrace our shared humanity, and work together to forge a more just, prosperous, and sustainable world. Because in a truly global world, the progress of one is the progress of all.

 

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