INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

• PS 145
• MR DOUG PERKINS

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TODAYS AGENDA

• Administrative Stuff
• Exams will be returned on Tuesday
• Hand out Huntington (extra reading- hurray!)
• Website of the Day
• Nationalism

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http//www.dushkin.com/rourke
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THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IS GROWING
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IMPORTANT TERMS I

• States
• Sovereignty the most important characteristic of
  a state. Independence. Must be able to control
  the affairs that happen within its
• Territory Defined geographical area
• Population need some people
• Diplomatic recognition
• Internal organization
• Internal loyalty support from and belief in
  state by some population. Legitimacy.
• Monopolize the means of violence.

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IMPORTANT TERMS II

• Nations
• People sharing common characteristics race,
  culture, language, ethnicity, etc.
  (civilization?)
• Sense of community recognition/belief in
  connectedness. Self-identification.
• Desire for autonomous self-governance to be
  politically separate.
• Nation-States
• Combination of nation and state.
• Fairly rare. Examples of different combinations.

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IMPORTANT TERMS III

• Nationalism
• Is a sense of essential political identity that
  dictates action in concert
• Unifies state, nation, and nation-state
• Core doctrine
• Humanity naturally divides into nations
• Each nation has its peculiar character
• The source of all political power is the nation,
  the collective whole
• For freedom and self-realization, people must
  identify with a nation
• Nations can be fulfilled only by their own states
• Loyalty to the nation-state overrides other
  political loyalties

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EVOLUTION OF NATIONALISM

• The book seems to claim that the phenomenon is
  Western in origin. Is this true?
• Rise of secular monarchs
• Creation of nationalistic popular culture
• Concept of popular sovereignty
• Many expected nationalism to wane after WWII
• Destructive power seen
• Nuclear weapons create need for realist approach
• Free trade and interdependence

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Resurgence of Nationalism

• Anti-imperialism
• Independence movement initially in the less
  developed countries
• Need for national unity in newly formed countries
• Need to divert attention from domestic economic
  ills (how do nationalists come to power?)
• Limitations
• Growing world consciousness and interdependence
• Conflicting loyalties that weaken sole allegiance
  to the nation-state

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POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES

• Positives aspects of nationalism
• Promotes democracy and democratic consolidation
• Rustow
• But can be manipulated
• Encourages self-determination (why is this
  good?!)
• Discourages imperialism (in others)
• Promotes economic development
• Protects diversity and experimentation
• Is this is good thing!?
• Negative aspects of nationalism
• Difference, Insularity, Superiority, Xenophobia,
  Bigotry, Messianism
• Practical problems
• States with more than one nation
• Nationals divided among states

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THE FUTURE

• Some Idealists see Self-Determination as a worthy
  goal
• Help end ethnic oppression
• Problems
• Untangling groups
• Dissolution of existing states
• Microstates
• Should everyone be allowed to do it?
• Will the curtain fall?
• Examples of Nationalism
• Chechnya
• Kosovo
• United States
• Soviet successor states

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SUMMARY

• Nationalism is one of the most important factors
  in international politics. It defines where we
  put our primary political loyalty, and that is in
  the nation-state. Today the world is divided and
  defined by nationalism and nation-states.
• Nations, nation-states, and nationalism are all
  key concepts that must be carefully defined and
  clearly differentiated and understood.
• The political focus on nationalism has evolved
  over the last five centuries.
• After World War II, some predicted an end to
  nationalism, but they were wrong. Today
  nationalism is stronger, and the independence of
  Afro-Asian countries, the former Soviet
  republics, and other states has made it even more
  inclusive.
• Nationalism has both positive and negative
  aspects.
• On the plus side, nationalism has promoted
  democracy, self-government, economic growth, and
  social/political/economic diversity and
  experimentation.
• On the negative side, nationalism has led to
  isolationism, feelings of superiority, suspicion
  of others, and messianism. Nationalism can also
  cause instability when there is a lack of fit
  between states and nations. Domestic instability
  and foreign intervention are often the result of
  such national instability. Nationalism has also
  led to a multiplicity of microstates.
• There are many enthnonational groups that are
  seeking or may seek independence. Among other
  considerations, this could lead to the further
  multiplicity of microstates.
• In a world of transnational global forces and
  problems, many condemn nationalism as outmoded
  and perilous. Some even predict its decline and
  demise. Such predictions are, however, highly
  speculative, and nationalism will remain a key
  element and powerful force in the foreseeable
  future.

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QUESTIONS???