Although nationalism once played a very progressive role, yet at the hands of industrial powers of the world it has done greater harm than good to the world. The nation-states compete with each other in maintaining huge armies.
An atmosphere of nervous hostility rules the world which resembles nothing so much as a powder magazine which may be exploded into conflagration at any moment by a single spark. World public opinion is getting against it, because it is based on emotions which are fraught with grave danger to modern civilization.
World public opinion has begun to realize the urgent need of replacing international anarchy by international order. “If mankind is to save itself from the catastrophe which awaits it, it should replace national exclusiveness by international inclusiveness— the doctrine of national sovereignty by the doctrine of international solidarity.” A new concept of internationalism thus is growing.
People should now stop thinking themselves as Indians, Englishmen or Americans. They are required to think in terms of the whole human race. Time has come when the people are to make a choice between international co-operation and disaster caused by militant nationalism. We must now adjust our nationalism to a rich perspective of international brotherhood.
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Internationalism stands for a family of self-respecting and self- governing nations linked to each other by bonds of good will, cooperation and assistance. As ideal internationalism is certainly higher and nobler than nationalism because the good of humanity is far higher than the welfare of a particular country or a community.
On account of improved means of transport and communication, different parts of the world have been brought so close to one another that we do not feel apart and it appears as if we belonged to one great common group. To bring about international peace and order, different nations must discard mutual hatred, jealousy and suspicion.
It will be in the interest of the human race to create a common international authority of one form or another. Attempts at international co-operation were made in the form of the League of Nations, and the U.N.O. but achievements of these organizations fell far short of expectations. A greater and fuller attempt has yet to be made.