Considered the key player in global politics it does not seem surprising that international relations theory centres around the role of the United States in the international system. Following the most recent elections the world is facing a wave of insecurity with scholars and policymakers alike wondering which course the United States will take. One important tool to predict actions is the study of identity, which been neglected in traditional IR theory. Yet understanding one’s identity can provide valuable insights into the character, line of thinking and future actions. A state’s identity is intertwined with its history and the U.S. history is one of war. Over the past century there was not one major war that the United States has not been involved in. One can therefore ask if the identity of the United States is founded on conflicts which were built by the United States itself?
This essay shall apply a poststructuralist approach to this question and discuss Foucault’s ‘limit attitude’ and exclusionist thinking in relation to U.S. history and foreign policy. The author shall look at the proclaimed war on terror as one example of a conflict the United States has faced over the past years although it would go beyond the boundaries of this piece to examine the war on terror in detail. Lastly, the conclusion is drawn that U.S. identity is shaped by conflicts but it would be false to call those crises self-constructed. Instead, the particularity of U.S. history and its foundation as an immigrant state have imposed a leading role in global politics upon them to which they are trying to live up to ever since. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Is U.S. Identity Founded on Self-Constructed Crises?
- Poststructuralist Approach to Identity
- Foucault's 'Limit Attitude' and Exclusionist Thinking
- The War on Terror and U.S. Identity
- Crises, Security and U.S. Identity
- U.S. Governmentality and International Politics
- The War on Terror and U.S. Foreign Policy
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to investigate whether the U.S. identity is founded on self-constructed crises, applying a poststructuralist approach and examining Foucault's 'limit attitude' and exclusionist thinking in relation to U.S. history and foreign policy. The analysis focuses on the U.S. war on terror as an example of a conflict that has shaped the country's identity.
- The role of identity in international relations
- Poststructuralist approach to state identity
- Foucault's 'limit attitude' and exclusionist thinking in U.S. foreign policy
- The relationship between crises, security, and state identity
- The impact of the War on Terror on U.S. identity
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Is U.S. Identity Founded on Self-Constructed Crises? This introductory chapter lays out the central question of the essay, exploring the role of identity in international relations and highlighting the importance of understanding U.S. identity in predicting its actions. It argues that the U.S. history of war may have shaped its identity.
- Poststructuralist Approach to Identity This chapter introduces the poststructuralist framework, emphasizing its focus on interpretation, power, knowledge, and the politics of identity. It argues that this approach offers valuable insights into U.S. identity by considering its history, politics, economics, religion, and social aspects.
- Foucault's 'Limit Attitude' and Exclusionist Thinking This chapter explores Foucault's concept of 'limit attitude,' where the meaning of certain terms is defined through their opposites. It argues that this concept is deeply embedded in U.S. foreign policy, exemplified by the historical depiction of South America as different and helpless compared to the United States. It also highlights the role of exclusionist 'us vs. them' thinking in shaping U.S. identity.
- The War on Terror and U.S. Identity This chapter examines the U.S. war on terror as a case study, arguing that the U.S. approach to this conflict has reinforced its identity as a global leader and protector. It explores the tensions between U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues, highlighting the potential for the War on Terror to distract from domestic problems.
- Crises, Security and U.S. Identity This chapter examines the relationship between crises, security, and state identity. It argues that crises, despite their negative aspects, can be beneficial for the state by allowing the government to increase its control over citizens and strengthen its institutions. It also highlights the role of the public in shaping perceptions of security threats.
- U.S. Governmentality and International Politics This chapter discusses the impact of U.S. governmentality on global politics. It critiques the "arrogance" of international institutions in trying to apply techniques based on advanced liberal society to different social conditions, arguing that this approach has contributed to many of the current global challenges.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay explores key concepts such as U.S. identity, poststructuralism, Foucault's 'limit attitude', exclusionist thinking, crises, security, governmentality, War on Terror, and the impact of U.S. foreign policy on global politics. It also examines the role of power, knowledge, representation, and the politics of identity in shaping state identity.
- Citation du texte
- Katherine Kretshmer (Auteur), 2016, Is U.S. identity founded on self-constructed crises? A poststructuralist approach, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/378102
