Topic: Rising Nationalism and Political Extremism
Country: El Salvador
Delegate Name: Abigail Morrow
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All El Salvador position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
All people are tribal in nature: they have loyalty to their country, religion and families. Currently, in Iraq, the majority of people are loyal to one of two Muslim tribes: Sunni or Shia. The problem is that both of these tribes are not willing to assimilate to one another, causing an uproar in the Middle East and is similar to how the world could become if countries, especially the United States and European countries, are not willing to work together. This is the cause of rising nationalism. The nationalism occuring in Europe and the United States arises in part from outside threats. One recent example would be refugees from the Middle East seeking asylum in European countries. More importantly to El Salvador, the caravans from Latin America have caused chaos in the United States and their president, Donald Trump, has now threatened to cut off all aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. The western world is experiencing a long period of strong nationalism because they are resisting refugees. For El Salvador, the topic of rising nationalism and political extremism is important to address because underdeveloped countries such as El Salvador depend on developed countries such as the United States and as the U.S. begins to take a nationalist turn, we fear that our country may suffer financially.
El Salvador experienced an extremist population when Archbishop Oscar Romero was preaching outside a Cathedral in March 1980. He was assassinated by extremists and this sparked a 12-year civil war, costing 75,000 lives and displacing 1.5-million others. El Salvador is firmly against extremist movements of any kind because we know the consequences that they can bring upon a nation. In October 2018, Donald Trump proudly asserted that he is a nationalist. Trump’s remarks followed a rebuke of “globalists” whom he accused of putting other nations’ interests ahead of those of the United States. Following these statements, President Trump expressed concern due to the thousands of people trying to migrate to the United States, “Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them.” El Salvador would also like to express deep concern about recently adopted migration policies by the United States in which children are forcibly separated from parents who cross into the U.S. illegally. We believe these policies punish children for their parents' actions. The United States’ aid to the three countries is due to drop by nearly 40% between 2017 and next year, from a total of approximately $297 million to $181 million. Poverty is very prevalent in El Salvador; 31% of our population is below the poverty line. Without support through financial funds our country will not be able to continue to develop, and our economy may fully rely on the drug business. This will cause more crime and corruption. If President Trump’s rising nationalist ideals continue to grow, our country will fall economically and politically.
El Salvador recommends that the Special Political and Decolonization Committee consider the need for international globalization. Nationalism, like any extreme ideology, needs to be addressed primarily through education. This would include creating educational systems that promote the importance of differentiation, of acceptance and the idea of internationalism. Furthermore, raising awareness for its implications and effects is extremely important, especially when referring to uneducated, or poorly educated societies, like those of many countries globally. El Salvador also urges developed nationalist countries to consider forming international trade agreements in order to increase globalization. If nationalist states arise, global peace will not be attainable.
