China’s rise reshapes the culture of global game

Despite various crises affecting large parts of the world, global economic growth stands at around 4 percent and is spread relatively evenly between developing and wealthy countries. In some ways, this should be a reassuring trend. But a defining feature of our times is the disconnect between economic dynamics and cultural identity.

While rapid economic globalization (bringing unprecedented interconnectivity) has been taking place for the past few decades, various forms of nationalism have emerged as a reaction to increasing economic disparities between and within countries and what is perceived by many as imposed cultural homogenization. There is a deep and growing sense of identity that is even penetrating inside a country, as is the case of Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain.

So it is time to reconsider the importance of cultural identity and how it impacts the political economy, geopolitics and security.

Some proponents of globalization make the mistake of thinking that identities do not exist. This is not true. Even if they evolve and are complex, identities are real and constitutive of human societies. A reflection on identities is necessary because it is the recognition of the differences that characterize our various collective constructions, yet at the same time we arrive at the conclusion that these differences do not necessarily clash. On the contrary, differences should be seen as a pre-condition of harmony.

The ups and downs in relations between the West and China are often the consequence of not recognizing the diversity of our roots and cultures.