Climate crisis, systemic transformation, and the role of nationalism

This chapter has argues that the major actors in the politics of climate change are at the national level. Above all, it is states and governments that have to make the crucial decisions on climate strategy. A leadership role in organizing collective action on a global level can only be played by the handful of most powerful states, two of which - China and the United States - will be discussed in some detail. The chapter's main question is whether economic nationalism can possibly play a constructive and progressive role in the politics of the climate crisis. The most important point of the argument is that nationalism will play a central role in how the transformation process towards a sustainable world will unfold. While each state, small or large, has its own territory and population to serve, drawing on the country's political, economic, and cultural resources, globally only a small number of states will determine the fate of the world.