“Nation, nationality, nationalism – all have proved notoriously difficult to define, let alone to analyse“, Anderson writes somewhat consternated before trying to change just that in about two-hundred pages. In this essay, I shall have a go at the principle of national self-determination in about a fiftieth of the space and sketch its impact on the international system. For that purpose, I will first establish a neo-realist conception of the international system and define national self-determination to then go on and delineate how the latter has hurt the former. By looking at two historical cases, Nazi-Germany and decolonization, I will focus on the way self-determination highlights the independent significance of norms in international order, undermines the balance of power and – while seemingly cementing an international Westphalian system of stable states – is a continuous force of disruption within it.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The international system
- National self-determination
- How national self-determination hurts the neo-realist conception of the international system
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the impact of the principle of national self-determination on the neo-realist conception of the international system. It aims to demonstrate how self-determination undermines the balance of power, threatens Westphalian stability, and highlights the importance of norms in international order.
- The neo-realist conception of the international system
- The principle of national self-determination
- The impact of national self-determination on the balance of power
- The disruption of Westphalian stability by national self-determination
- The role of norms in international order
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The international system: This chapter defines the core concepts of the neo-realist approach to international relations. It emphasizes the key elements of a system, including its units, mechanisms, and governing principles. The chapter then explores the concept of anarchy in the context of state-based interactions and the importance of power distribution in shaping state behavior.
- National self-determination: This chapter analyzes the principle of national self-determination and its various manifestations as a political ideology, international norm, and legal principle. It examines the relationship between national self-determination and nationalism, highlighting the similarities and differences between these concepts.
- How national self-determination hurts the neo-realist conception of the international system: This chapter investigates the impact of national self-determination on the neo-realist conception of the international system. It analyzes the cases of Nazi-Germany and decolonization to illustrate how self-determination undermines the balance of power and disrupts Westphalian stability. It also highlights the role of norms in shaping international outcomes.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key concepts and terms explored in this essay include: national self-determination, nationalism, neo-realism, international system, anarchy, balance of power, Westphalian order, norms, decolonization, Nazi-Germany, state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the impact of national self-determination on the international system?
National self-determination acts as a disruptive force that undermines the balance of power and threatens the stability of the Westphalian system of states.
How does the essay define the international system?
The essay uses a neo-realist conception, focusing on units (states), anarchy, and the distribution of power as key mechanisms of state behavior.
Which historical cases are used to illustrate the disruption?
The essay analyzes Nazi Germany and the process of decolonization as primary examples of how self-determination impacts international order.
What is the relationship between self-determination and nationalism?
The work examines self-determination as a political ideology and international norm closely linked to nationalism, highlighting both similarities and differences.
Why does self-determination hurt the neo-realist view?
It highlights the independent significance of norms, which can override purely power-based calculations and territorial integrity within the international order.
- Quote paper
- Jan-David Franke (Author), 2016, What has been the impact of national self-determination on the international system?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/411973
