Non-Nationalist Loyalties Religious Civic Global Humanitarianism

What Challenges Arise From Having Contending Nationalist Loyalties? Many people feel loyalties toward such things as religion, region, culture and race that are not always a part of your sense of nationalism toward your nation-state. These loyalties often contend with each other and the need to reconcile or balance these loyalties is needed. This is a very individualized process.

Religion Canada is a country comprised of several different religions Not only can these religions be at odds with each other (i.e. Muslims vs. Christians throughout the world), these religions can also be in competition with your national loyalties.

Religion Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms states very clearly that people have the right to freedom of religion. So, what happens when issues, such as polygamy, come into debate? Who wins? Who loses?

For Example… The Mennonites and Doukhobors Were encouraged to immigrate to Canada to settle unclaimed farmland in the prairies in the early 1900s. They were granted Canadian citizenship and freedom of religion They were also excluded from being conscripted in WW1 because of their pacifist belief system. Is that right? Fair? What about the Quebecois who were forced to fight? Many people questioned their loyalty to their new nation and home.

Regional Loyalties More than 225,000 people moved to Alberta from other parts of Canada between Unofficial estimates state that as many as Newfoundlanders move between Fort McMurray and their home province. What kind of problems can that create in terms of contending loyalties?

Global Loyalties Humanitarianism Many people feel loyalties that extend beyond the nation to which they belong. INTERNATIONALISM is the belief in cooperation among nations for the benefit and well-being of humankind. Loyalty, therefore, to the global community becomes another contending loyalty that needs to be reconciled.Loyalty, therefore, to the global community becomes another contending loyalty that needs to be reconciled.

NGO’s Oxfam International Medecins Sans Frontiers, Engineers Without Boarders, etc. Greenpeace World Wildlife Fund World Vision Compassion Canada/International Save The Children

GO’s CIDA Canada World Youth Annual budgetary commitment to Second and Third World development Natural Disaster Relief (troops, money, supplies)

Environmentalism International Agreements –KYOTO PROTOCOLKYOTO PROTOCOL –The North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) is the environmental side agreement to the NAFTA. –Hundreds of others!!!