Author: Abu Ayesha
Nationalism (Part 40)
The Emergence of Internationalism
Understanding when internationalism emerged and who its early pioneers were is of great importance in identifying this political ideology. The origin and foundation of any intellectual school of thought can be properly comprehended only when its founders and flagbearers are recognized, and their goals and plans regarding the establishment and promotion of such a concept are clarified. Below, we address some of these matters:
It was after World War I that internationalism gained a practical and experimental footing. Although thinkers like Immanuel Kant, William Penn, and many others had earlier proposed plans for establishing a global organization to end wars, these ideas did not see significant success until 1919. Nonetheless, since 1648, considerable progress had been made in the formulation of international law. [1]
The term “internationalism,” whose earliest recorded use in the English language dates back to 1877, was coined with the formation of the International Workingmen’s Association (First International) by Karl Marx in 1864. [2]
The earliest advocates of this concept were the Stoics in the 3rd century BCE, led by Zeno and Chrysippus. They believed that all people of the world were members of a single global community and bore responsibilities toward it. The laws of this global society were considered natural laws and were to be obeyed. This global state was deemed superior to the individual. The Stoics opposed the notions of nationality and nationalism, asserting that laws must conform to the universal laws of humanity and nature, not the other way around. They called the combination of human law and natural law “universal law.” The term “world citizen” was also introduced by them, as they opposed allegiance to any specific country or society. They viewed all people as brothers and considered them equal in rights. [3]
The author of the book Political Schools, Dr. Bahauddin Pazargad, has elaborated extensively on this subject, detailing all stages of internationalism under the title “A Summary History of the Evolution of the Philosophy of Internationalism from Ancient Times to the Present” across several pages. [4]
Types of Internationalism
Experts in political ideologies and those who have written or theorized in this field have identified three types of internationalism:
1.Liberal Internationalism
2.Dominant (or Imperial) Internationalism
3.Revolutionary Internationalism
The author of the book Political Schools and Terms writes, after providing explanations about internationalism:
“Socialist internationalism is also an international organization composed of gatherings of democratic parties from Western countries and some Eastern countries, and it still exists today.” [5]
Therefore, it becomes clear that the types of internationalism are not limited to the three mentioned above. The classifications and interpretations vary depending on the perspectives and views of theorists and writers in this field.
Note: Although this concept emerged after the rise of nationalism and sought to call people to equality, brotherhood, justice, and a life free from prejudice (despite the many problems it inherently contains), Islam, for over 1400 years, through its guidance, rulings, and commands, has declared all Muslims as brothers and instructed them to hold firmly to the rope of Allah and to avoid all forms of division, separation, and hostility. It has referred to them as a single Ummah and clarified each individual’s rights toward others. Those—especially Muslims influenced by Western phenomena—who are quick to admire and praise such concepts as salvific and beneficial for humanity would do well to examine the laws, commands, and precious guidance of Islam and the noble teachings of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). They should reflect on what Islam has prescribed for the unity, harmony, and solidarity of Muslims, and what profound recommendations it has made in this regard.
Continues…
[1] Kaveh, Mahan, From Nationalism to Fascism, 2020 [Solar Hijri], p. 12.
[2] Author: Fred Halliday, The Diverse Concepts of Internationalism, 1988, p. 10.
[3] Pazargad, Dr. Bahauddin, Political Schools, n.d., p. 36.
[4] For more detail, see the aforementioned book, pp. 35–39.
[5] Sadat, Mohammad Ali, Political Schools and Terms, First Edition, 1981 [Solar Hijri], p. 45.
