To what extent should we To what extent should we embrace nationalism?embrace nationalism?

Essential Information in GreenEssential Information in Green

Foreign Policy ReviewForeign Policy Review

Nationalism vs. InternationalismNationalism vs. Internationalism

• “Foreign policy is how a nation best expresses itself to the world. Our policies as a government, reflecting our beliefs as Canadians, are articulated through the words we speak, the decisions we make and the actions we implement in the name of Canada.”

• Prime Minister Stephen Harper http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/ips/ips-overview2-en.aspx

• Internationalism promotes belief in the importance of cooperation among countries in order to promote the common good for all countries in both social and economic terms.

Why countries get involved in Why countries get involved in international affairs?international affairs?

• Governments choose to become involved in international affairs if they believe there is some benefit for their country in addition to a possible global benefit.

Nation and State involvement in Nation and State involvement in International affairsInternational affairs

• The involvement or non-involvement of a nation or nation-state in international affairs can be motivated by many factors including:– Economic Stability– Peace and Security– Self-Determination– Humanitarianism

Economic StabilityEconomic Stability

• In order to expand their economy or maintain their competitiveness on a global scale, countries may chose to involve themselves in international economic discussions, organizations, or alliances.

The Sekong Bridge in Cambodia connecting the capital, Phnom Penh, with the Laos border. The $20 million project is financed

with Chinese aid money

Examples of Economic AlliancesExamples of Economic Alliances

• G 8 (group of eight) is an organization of the wealthiest countries of the world. They meet to discuss global matters, often related to economics and the promotion of the global economy.

• NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) is an alliance which its members have agreed to make the flow of goods across each others borders easier by reducing tariffs.

• EU (European Union) similar benefits of NAFTA

Peace and SecurityPeace and Security

• Safety and security are vital to personal and national stability

• Wars are costly in both manpower and use of resources

• Promoting international peace promotes regional stability

Somali Pirates Attack

NATO

HumanitarianismHumanitarianism

• Nations reach out to each other in times of need

• Natural disasters and disease creates suffering that media highlights to the world

• Individuals and nations work to help others in need

US Food Aid

Canadian Aid in El Salvador

Self-DeterminationSelf-Determination

• The desire for a group of people with common culture, history, and language to have control over their own territory.

• Nations that desire self-determination may seek involvement in international affairs in order to gain the support of the international community.

Canadian PM Stephen Harper and Quebec Premier stand in the front row of a La Francophonie Meeting

Achieving Self-Achieving Self-determinationdetermination

Article 1 UN declaration on self-Article 1 UN declaration on self-determinationdetermination

1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.

UNESCO criteria for nationUNESCO criteria for nation

• Common history

• Racial or ethnic identity

• Cultural homogeneity

• Linguistic unity

• Religious or ideological unity

• Territorial connection

• National self-identification

Achieving self-determinationAchieving self-determination

• Decolonization

• Successor states

• Referendum

• Third-party

DecolonizationDecolonization

• Defined

• India

• Mozambique

Successor StatesSuccessor States

• Defined

• Ukraine

• Chechnya

ReferendumReferendum

• Defined

• Canada

• East Timor

Third PartyThird Party

• Defined

• Challenges

Self-determination and the Self-determination and the indigenous peopleindigenous people

• ID and self-determination

• Nunavut

Self-determination and TibetSelf-determination and Tibet

• Self Immolation

• 2013

Balancing Nationalism vs. Balancing Nationalism vs. InternationalismInternationalism

• To some extent, nationalism must be sacrificed in the interest of internationalism as countries must balance their own requirements or desires.

• If governments are committed to internationalism, they must consider global issues and how policies made within their countries could impact other countries.

• Being a member of an international organization can also mean sacrificing some sovereignty in order to support the goals and priorities of the organization.

International Laws or AgreementsInternational Laws or Agreements

• Countries sometimes sign international laws or agreements in order to promote internationalism.

• These laws or agreements may include those related to environmental issues such as the Kyoto Protocol.

• Economic agreements, such as those made by the World Trade Organization.

Organizations that promote Organizations that promote internationalism?internationalism?