Why ? (un-opionated "why")
To reuse the migrant melting pot metaphor used at the end of the article, the "kernel has to stand alone" seems to mirror the states wanting a "strong border" (while the idea of borders and states has a beginning and will surely end).
I think in your view in melting pot metaphore 'Kernel has to stand alone' might be a lot like christian countries holding the view "Sunday is a forced day of because it is the day of the lord". Whereas I think it might be more like e.g. the Netherlands having the cultural idea of "we should actually work together to prevent the entire country flooding". Or maybe the Spanish "taking a break during midday is smart, not lazy". Its a cultural preference that arises as an adaption to the specific geographic reality of the country.