National Prejudices

Whilst we may feel that we live in an age where prejudice against one another simply because of inherent causes has been eradicated, it is untrue to say that our attitudes are unbiased or unprejudiced. After the Second World War nationalism appeared to be fading in its influence over hearts and minds, and many European countries were ready to sign up to the EEC/EU proposals of pan-Eurpoean free markets and open borders. Yet there has been an increasing movement towards patriotism and sharing a national identity. Whilst these are good things in themeselves, as they promote goodwill and co-operation , they can easily lead to nationalism and xenophobia if taken to the extreme.
Furthermore, there appears to be great resentment towards many industrialising nations that threaten the commerical and military migt of Western powers. Should the West fear the rise of China as an economic and military superpower, or view this as an opportunity to build economic and global security ties? I can speak with no authority here, as I have no detailed knowledge that politicians and diplomats will have, but there is certainly a current of opinion within ordinary society that China represents a threat to the West.
Many people shudder with horror at the thought of buying a product manufactured in China, although they secretly rejoice at making huge savings by buying cheaper products. People prefer to buy products made in their own country, out of a spirit of patriotism certainly. However, it seems that people in the UK are much more willing to buy an American product than one made in the Far East. Again, this could be a spirit of race, rather than national, patriotism, out of a determination to aid one's bretheren, but this does seem perverse in an age when we are attempting to promote the message of equality and trying to destroy national barriers. After all, why should China, Taiwan etc. be denied the same privilidges that come through a domination over trade and global affairs that Europe and North American have enjoyed for decades.
Yet we still continue to improve our own economies in an attempt to compete with China and India, instead of focussing on diversifying and improving efficiency to tackle wastage, climate change and social issues such as unemployment and income disparity. Unfortunately we appear to value national standing and prestige above fairness and preservation of the planet.
Another example is the prevailing attitude towards migration into this country. The perennial notion that is circulating is that immigrant families come to Britain cheifly to live off the state and enjoy privilidges that they cannot afford in their country of origin. Despite this view, there is very little evidence that immigrants work any less than hard than UK nationals. In fact, many Polish and Eastern european workers, the ones that are most often bearted for their idleness and letahrgy, are the ones that work the hardest doing jobs that any ordinary Briton would refuse to do for a wage that no-one else would accept.
In addition, migrant workers are often able to under-cut British workers on price, as they are prepared to put up with lower wages. Whilst many British labourers have every right to complain about losing their jobs to migrant workers, this still shows a failure to grasp a basic economic principle; that price dictates any choice the consumer makes. If British workers wish to retain their jobs, they must strive to improve effieciency or quality.
One would assume, of course, that this opinion would only be shared by those who are directly impacted by migrant labourers, such as builders, plumbers etc. However, the attitude of, if not hostility, then unease regarding migtration, especially from nations we would regard as under-developed, appears to be endemic rather than a representation of a minority opinion. Many politicians are regarding migration, and the reduction of immigrants, as a central issue that will win them votes if they are able to cut the numbers. Whilst this may be a popular policy, surely one could not regard blatant discrimination as an ethical or tenable policy. After all, if the immigration was a brain-drain from the US to the UK, how many people would be complaining?
Overall, therefore, there anumber of ways in which we can see there is much work to be done in tackling prejudice and self-interest, despite the many advances we have made in recent years. Migration is likely to become and even hotter political hot-potato in recent years. Lets hope we can eventually see some sense and focus on our own failings rather than picking out those in others.