David Rainey

A significant and multifaceted shift is redefining international relations and domestic politics worldwide, characterized by a potent surge in anti-immigrant and anti-tourism sentiments in key global hubs, coupled with a decisive turn toward national self-reliance in former colonial states. This phenomenon represents a stark pivot from the decades-long push for globalization and open borders, signaling a more fractured, domestically focused world order.

Western Democracies Grapple with Anti-Immigrant Tide

In major Western nations like the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, a growing anti-immigration mindset is dominating political discourse and policy. This sentiment isn’t solely tied to economic competition, but is often rooted in anxieties over national identity and cultural change.

Research suggests that public opposition to immigration is often driven by “nativism” and a perception that newcomers threaten the group’s identity and may not contribute fully to society. Appeals to national identity often resonate more strongly with voters on immigration issues than purely economic arguments.

Concerns over increased competition for employment and the perceived burden on social welfare systems, housing, and public schools persist. Furthermore, many Europeans feel immigration has been “too high” and “poorly managed,” with majorities in countries like Germany and the U.K. believing it has had a negative effect on their nation.

The rise of far-right, nationalist political parties in Europe, which are often explicitly anti-EU and anti-globalization, has successfully leveraged these fears. Their electoral success has prompted mainstream conservative parties to adopt harder-line agendas, increasing the salience of immigration as a top-tier political issue.

Over-tourism Sparks Backlash in Global Destinations

Meanwhile, nations that have actively courted international visitors are now seeing a popular backlash against mass tourism. Countries like Mexico, Spain, and Japan are experiencing rising anti-tourism movements, often driven by local populations being priced out of their own communities.

The most common grievance is the impact of mass tourism and the influx of wealthier foreign residents, including “digital nomads,” on the cost of living and housing availability. In Spain, for example, the conversion of residential units into short-term holiday rentals has sharply increased rental and home prices. Protests in Mexico City specifically targeted over-tourism and the wave of Airbnb-driven gentrification.

Locals also cite the strain on essential infrastructure, overcrowding, negative environmental impacts, and the fears of cultural erasure as traditions are commercialized to meet tourist expectations.

This resurgence of anti-tourism protests comes as global tourist arrivals rebound to pre-pandemic levels, reigniting long-standing grievances in popular destinations.

The New Post-Colonial Pivot: Domestic Sovereignty

In stark contrast to the inward turn in Western states driven by perceived cultural threats, countries in the Global South, such as Burkina Faso, are turning inward to strengthen domestic control and self-determination.

The current military leadership in Burkina Faso has initiated efforts toward self-reliance, notably through an agricultural offensive and the establishment of state-owned enterprises. These actions directly echo the anti-imperialist political project of former President Thomas Sankara (1983-87), who famously renamed the country to “Land of the upright people” to reject its colonial past.

This shift includes a strategic move to sever security and economic ties with the former colonial power, France, and a move to strengthen ties with alternative global powers. This is a direct response to a widespread perception that Western powers failed to foster equitable post-colonial economic relations, instead being accused of exploiting resources.

The domestic focus is centered on addressing internal crises, such as Islamist militancy and rebuilding state capacity, rather than prioritizing international diplomatic engagement with former Western partners.

The ‘Switch:’ A Confluence of Global Pressures

The underlying causes for this global switch toward a more insular, nation-focused approach are complex but appear to share a common thread: a deep-seated reaction to the perceived failures and imbalances of rapid globalization.

The global financial crisis, increasing wealth inequality, mass migration from conflict zones, and the over-commercialization of cultural sites have all fueled a sense that “the system” is no longer working for the average citizen.

Whether the motivation is the nativist anxiety over cultural identity in the West, the economic frustration of being displaced by tourism in popular cities, or the sovereign ambition to break free from neocolonial economic structures, the outcome converges on the same impulse: a powerful, global impetus to prioritize the interests of the domestic “in-group” over international integration.