The Rise of Nationalism in the 21st Century: A Systematic Review of Political, Economic, and Social Drivers

Abstract

Abstract In the 21st century, nationalism is rising again and shaping both domestic and international politics. This research is driven by the question of why nationalism is becoming stronger even after years of globalization and international cooperation. The main purpose of this study is to understand the key political, economic, and social reasons behind this rise and to see how these factors are connected across different countries. This study uses a systematic literature review method. It examines research articles, reports, and academic studies published between 2001 and 2025. The selected sources focus on important issues such as populist politics, economic inequality, migration, identity politics, and the effects of globalization. The information is then organized into three main categories: political, economic, and social factors, to make the analysis clear and easy to understand. The findings show that nationalism is not caused by just one factor but by a combination of several issues. Politically, people are losing trust in governments and institutions, while populist leaders are promoting nationalist ideas. Economically, problems like inequality, unemployment, and unequal benefits of globalization have made people frustrated. Socially, fear of cultural change, migration, and identity issues have increased nationalist feelings. Social media has also played a major role by spreading nationalist ideas quickly and increasing division among people. The study concludes that nationalism today is a strong and lasting trend, not just a temporary phase. It is a response to both global pressures and internal problems within countries. For future research, more focus should be given to comparing different regions and studying how social media shapes nationalist thinking. Further research is also needed to understand how rising nationalism will affect international cooperation in the long run.