Rise of Nationalism Shaping Political Engagement in East Asia

• In Event: How Public Opinion Does (and Does Not) Constrain Elites

Abstract

In East Asia, nationalism has become a significant factor influencing public opinion, shaped by historical, cultural, and diplomatic narratives. This phenomenon is observed in China, Japan, and South Korea, where expressions of nationalism are evolving. In South Korea, "Guk-ppong," a term combining "guk" (nation) and "ppong" (slang for drug), reflects a growing online and academic discourse. China's younger generation, known as "Little Pink," exhibits strong nationalism influenced by Sinocentrism and Xi Jinping's leadership. Japan's "Cool Japan" initiative aims to project a positive global image, bolstering nationalism.

This study examines how changing nationalism levels impact political engagement across these nations. The research suggests that increased exposure to international information has heightened nationalism, strengthening citizens' attachment to their respective countries. However, the varying aspects and meaning of nationalism cast different impacts on political engagement, the foundational force of running democracy. While the affective nature of nationalism can influence political engagement by enhancing citizens' sense of ownership and responsibility toward their nation, high level of nationalism can be a sign of compliance, as seen in the cases of blind nationalism or absolute patriotism, which make people stay silent and indifferent to politics.

Using the data from Asian Barometer, this study examines the influence of nationalism on political engagement across three East Asian countries. Surprisingly, the findings reveal a consistent trend: nationalism correlates with increased political involvement in all three nations. When measuring engagement by the total number of political activities respondents have participated in, high levels of nationalism demonstrate a positive association with this cumulative variable. However, more nuanced measures uncover distinct patterns. In South Korea, strong nationalism is significantly linked to engagement in resistant political activities, particularly peaceful demonstrations. Notably, the predicted percentage of Koreans attending such demonstrations is over six times higher among those who express strong national pride compared to those who do not. Chinese respondents display heightened engagement in online political activities, potentially due to limitations on offline participation in an authoritarian regime. Conversely, in Japan, the relationship between nationalism and political engagement is less pronounced, despite the population's overall high and diverse levels of political activity.

This study suggests that although the rise of nationalism is a universal phenomenon across the Asian region, the meaning and effect of nationalism could turn out to be different by contexts. The people from South Korea, Japan, and China expressing pride in their nationality tend to display higher levels of political engagement, driven by their sense of attachment and self-esteem as members of their nation. This inclination towards political involvement could be viewed positively as an indicator of an active democracy. However, we need to be more careful to draw the conclusion of the effect of nationalism on political engagement, as deeper research is necessary to figure out the mechanism to mobilize individuals to specific political activities in different contexts.

Author

• Hyerin Seo, Michigan State University