Asian Nationalism Vis-À-Vis Other Asian Nations

The growth of nationalism in Asia can be traced to regional rather than national groupings and state—similarity of culture is frequently as important as a common racial origin. The coming of Europeans into Asia produced a tremendous im pact through trade, conquest, and religious contacts. It is felt that the plight of many Asian and African countries has been due in a larger or smaller measure to the dominance and ex ploitation by powerful countries of the West, although foreign rule also brought several incidental advantages. European dominance over Asia cut off contacts among Asians and shifted their political relationships and economies to the West. But this domination generated a spirit of resistance and engendered the growth of nationalism. National movements in India were inspired by Western ideas. During the last ten years, over 600 million people of the world have emerged from their dependent status. The resurgence of Asia has been a most significant event of this century. However, if nationalism in Asia is to be liberal and democratic, it has to solve fundamental social economic problems like poverty, abysmally low standards of liv ing, and chronic unemployment. There are undoubtedly many unresolved problems among Asian countries. But these differ ences in development need not necessarily be categorized in terms of cold war, and they should be resolved by peaceful means. The right of self-rule carries with it a moral obliga tion to be a responsible member of a world community.