By Dr. Sawraj Singh
Many people around the world were shocked by the results of the referendum on Britain remaining or leaving the European Union (Brexit). Most people in the world expected a close vote, but felt that the “remain” side will win. However, the result was against predictions and expectations. What could be the cause for the biggest shock which the capitalist system got in its birthplace (England)? This result and this day will be considered as one of the most important events in the history of capitalism, which was born in England and was constantly expanding after its birth two centuries ago. Has its decline and downfall started? Capitalism led Britain to an empire in which the sun never set. Even though England, like an old man, lost its steam and passed the baton to its younger heir the U.S., yet capitalism kept on growing and expanding. Capitalism reached its highest stage, Globalization, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Whatever is happening in England is not just the frustration of the British; it represents a deeper and wider frustration of people all over the world against Globalization. The bitter truth is that a significant majority of people all over the world are thoroughly frustrated with globalization. This will not be an exaggeration to say that the vote for Brexit is a vote against Globalization. There is hardly any doubt in making this assumption that the expectations of the vast majority of people from Globalization have not been met. They are feeling dejected and let down. The present Globalization is not losing steam; it has already lost the steam. More and more people in the world are getting convinced that the present crisis of western capitalism could very well be a terminal crisis.
If we analyze deeply the voting patterns in the referendum, then some trends become obvious. Those people who voted for remaining in the European Union belonged to three categories: they are richer, more educated and younger in age. On the other hand, the people who voted for leaving belong mostly to the working class, are less educated and are older (more than 50 years of age). It is obvious that the elite and the young voted for remaining in the European Union. The elite have been the beneficiaries of Globalization. The younger (new) generation has been raised with the culture of Globalization and it feels that Globalization provides them more opportunities by opening up the global market for them. The working class, the less educated people and the elderly feel that Globalization has done them more harm than good. They feel that they have become less competitive in the job market. They also feel that Globalization has eroded their national culture, their value system and their heritage. It has robbed them of their way of life.
Many people associate the problem of uncontrolled immigration with Globalization. They feel that the policies of Globalization are responsible for the current refugee crisis in Europe. The refugee crisis has increased opposition to Globalization in Europe. It has also sharpened the clash between different cultures. Many people have realized that Globalization has led to the clash of civilizations. However, the current refugee crisis has taken the conflict to new heights. I would like to give a personal example. In 1972, I visited Europe for the first time. I was part of a tourist group. We reached Paris after midnight. A local train station was near our hotel. I saw young and very beautiful girls walking alone to and from the station without any sign of fear for their safety. Now, the large influx of immigrants, particularly from Islamic countries, has changed the conditions and attitude towards women in Europe.
The present globalization has frustrated a vast majority of people because this is an economic-only globalization and completely lacks an ethical aspect; it also lacks a true global perspective. We can also say that it is a Globalization of capital and not of human beings. The governments no longer feel that they are accountable to provide basic necessities to the people. Similarly, the governments seem to be completely insensitive to the social and cultural consequences of the uncontrolled and unregulated immigration which Globalization promotes. The majority feels that not only this Globalization has failed to provide them any economic benefits, but it also has adversely affected and destabilized them socially and culturally. In a way, remaining in the European Union had become a symbol of uncontrolled and unregulated immigration to them. The population was completely divided between the elite who felt that Globalization and uncontrolled immigration is a boon for them, while the ordinary people looked at Globalization more as a curse. We can see the same thing in Punjab.
The net result of the present conditions is revival of the nationalist feelings among the people. We can clearly see that the revival of nationalism in Europe represents frustration with Globalization. The present Globalization is widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and between the elite and the ordinary people. A vast majority of people seem to feel that they have been deprived of the benefits of this Globalization. Therefore, the vote against the European Union is a vote against Globalization and is a vote for revival of national feelings. The decline and downfall of Globalization has started. Capitalism, which was constantly expanding in the last two centuries, is now on the retreat. It is interesting that the downfall of capitalism has started in the country of its birth. We definitely need an alternative model of development to the western capitalist model.
Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at [email protected].
