I’m serious. I don’t understand why humans draw imaginary bidders. I don’t understand why humans fight and lose their lives defending those borders. It’s not “cultural identity”. For example, people in either side of Punjab are more similar to each other than say people in the South of India. And further, i don’t understand how countries can be bought and sold like the “Louisiana purchase”. I mean who’s paying for what? It would be great if someone could recommend some books about the idea of nationhood.
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I would argue that is only one half of human nature in society. Yes, there are the protectionists and isolationists. But societies also produce explorers and traders; people that see the value in different people and diversity.
I think this is what is so magnified in our global politics today. Half of us feel “protecting our own” is the most important function of government.
The other half believe “welcome all” will deliver new ideas and skills that will make us all better in the long run.
Both approaches are valid, but are destructive when taken to extremes. Successful cultures find a way to co-exist and reap the benefits that both approaches can produce.
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