The year is 2017. We are in an age where one can click a button and send information across the world through the internet, or book a plane ticket and be anywhere, doing anything, in person, in less than a day.

Our world is global and is interconnected in more ways than are imaginable. Pursuing nationalistic policies would be detrimental to the quality of life of our citizens and the immense power America holds on the world stage.

As nationalism becomes increasingly divisive in political spheres of developed countries like our own or France, it is crucial to keep in mind the benefits that globalism has brought to millions, both at home and abroad.

Immigration is a central tenet of American history and a pillar of the globalist perspective. The ebb and flow of people and their families fill niches in the workforce that natives of a country may find unsavory or corporations find unattainable in the domestic market. The importance of retaining open borders and available work visas, albeit with heavy vetting, keeps the American dream of upward mobility alive for those who are willing to assimilate to the values of our nation and stimulates the economy for all.

Global capitalism, or the pursuit of free trade with low tariffs worldwide, is what has made the U.S. GDP the highest in human history, and has brought a very high quality of life to even the middle and lower classes of society.

Multinational free trade agreements like NAFTA and bilateral free trade agreements in Asia have allowed Adam Smith’s “invisible hand of capitalism” to provide American citizens with the cheapest and highest quality of goods possible, with all of the innovations that have come with modernization of technology. Increased investment in Mexico and China have led to a rising middle class in both countries by provide steady, high paying jobs in regions with few good ones or natural resources available.

With the largest military force in the world by a long shot, America is by default the defender of human rights in the world. Who would defend those who are oppressed by totalitarian regimes, or those who are preyed upon with the vicious acts of war crimes? We are the powerhouse of NATO, which is largely credited with the decades of peace following the conclusion of WWII referred to as Pax Americana. President Donald J. Trump seems to intend to proceed with these globalist militaristic policies, and millions of innocent lives will benefit.

Global poverty, literacy rates, child mortality rates and access to clean water sources have all been improved by the advent of globalism. There is the “pride” side of nationalism, which is largely harmless, and then there is the side that pursues policies that actively work against the interest of the world and it’s people. There is a way to generate broad prosperity, even for those who feel left out, and that way is through globalism.