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What if it’s not in our country’s interest? Against the nationalist turn

Effert, Sarah-Lea / Sören Hilbrich
External Publications (2025)

published on globalpolicyjournal.com, 19.05.2025

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Recent years have seen a remarkable shift in the way in which governments justify their actions in the global sphere. We truly seem to have entered an “age of national interests”, where policy-makers base all decisions in international relations on self-interest-driven considerations. Even those advancing the importance of global sustainable development, rule-based global governance, development cooperation and international climate action are increasingly basing their arguments on supposed “national interests”. It is understandable that the current pressure on international cooperation leads many to resort to such narratives. However, this discursive shift is dangerous because it strengthens nationalist narratives and has adverse consequences for the practice of international cooperation.

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