The 21st century we are living is different from previous centuries and will continue to differ more and more into the future. This century is the most global in the truest sense of the word in human history. Capitals, technology, and markets are global already. Human migration, though limited, has increased. Popular cultures are crisscrossing with regional cultures. Globalization will expand its scope and depth and it will bring us to the ‘Wonderland’ human race never dreamed of where different races, religions, cultures, and ideologies, the sources of hostility and war, coexist side by side or even mingle together.
    Civilization from the beginning has evolved with territory. Once determined, it has to be defended or, very often, expanded. It was a matter of life and death for those engaged in frequent territorial wars. Sometimes the territory was vastly expanded to include many kingdoms, races, religions, and cultures. Empires resulted, such as those of Alexander, Rome, Turkey, and China. These territories, though, gradually dissolved or were united into a unit with homogenous traditions and identities with democratic governors in the modern world, i.e., the nation. After the Napoleonic Wars, nations arose with the fever of nationalism and nation building. While the previous territorial wars were initiated by a king, a charismatic leader or so on, the modern national competition, conflict, and wars were waged by the whole nation, ruling classes, and citizens. In a sense, the 20th century was the age of nationalism.
    Often, nationalism is seen as a double-edged knife. It is useful as well as harmful. It makes us defend our lives from intruders and at the same time can cause us to become isolated and make others scared. It can hurt us and repel others. Islamic fundamentalism is an example, for sure. Christian fundamentalism, the racial fundamentalism of the Nazis, extreme regionalism, ethno-centrism are others.
    Korean society is exceptionally nationalistic. This is understandable though, considering our one race, our one language with a long history threatened by our bigger neighbors like China, Japan, and Russia. The problem is that we are no longer living in the age of nationalism. Our neighbors are no longer tied to nationalism as they were a century ago. Currently they are having diplomatic relations with hundreds of countries, exporting and importing natural resources, raw materials, and finished goods. They are dependent on others for energy and market. The same is true of our-selves.
    Coming is the age where international interdependency and exchange are expanding further to the realms of culture, ideologies, social systems, religion, education, mass media, the internet and so on. A global mind is indispensable which, in turn, means that 20th century nationalism is detrimental to our future prosperity and progress. An isolated self supporting economy, for example, is a way to poverty. ‘Our own Juche political system’ of North Korea is nothing but a disguise for a despotic ruler. Similarly, praising ‘our own national culture’ necessarily isolates us from the rich reservoir of world culture.
    In the 21st century, nationalism is meaningful only if it purports to be world-wide and universal. Kimchi, for example, can be accepted world-wide as long as it is proved as contributing to everyman’s health. Korean music can be heard world-wide when it contributes to the diversity of world music and be a part of it.
    Recently East Asians of Japan, China, Vietnam, and Mongolia among others are now enthusiastic for Korean dramas, films, and popular songs. The ‘Korean Wave’ implies that there is a universal attribute in Korean culture to East Asians and the human race in general. We are contributing to world culture by being Korean AND by being open to the world. The same should apply our political system, foreign policy, economy, religion, and education.