Global Citizenship - World Socialism

People are increasingly identifying themselves as global rather than national citizens, according to a BBC World Service poll. 

The trend is particularly marked in emerging economies, where people see themselves as outward-looking and internationally minded. More than half of those asked (56%) in emerging economies saw themselves first and foremost as global citizens rather than national citizens. In Nigeria (73%), China (71%), Peru (70%) and India (67%) the data is particularly marked. Indonesia has the weakest sense of national citizenship (4%). Instead, it seems Indonesians have a much stronger sense of localism, with over half of respondents seeing their immediate communities as the most important way of defining themselves. In Pakistan, 43% appear to identify themselves first and foremost by their religion - considerably higher than any other country.

By contrast, the trend in the industrialised nations seems to be heading in the opposite direction. In Germany, fewer people say they feel like global citizens now, compared with 2001. Only 30% of respondents see themselves as global citizens. According to Lionel Bellier from GlobeScan, this is the lowest proportion seen in Germany since the poll began 15 years ago.