Lecture 14: identity Rational choice model assumes that states are autonomous, rational and purposeful and focused on preserving self (security). However identity challenges this. International politics is also about belonging to a group Constructivists highlight the significance of social identity for state action (consequences vs. appropriateness) Constructivism and identity · Perceptions of self and other have an impact on policy directions · Interests are constituted by identity (not a casual model) · Actors are shaped by the social milieu (setting) in which they live (Finnermore and Sikkink, 2001, 394) Are images of self/other defined internally or imposed from the outside? Projecting images and/or adapting to a collective? The world we live in is "of our making" (Onuf, 1989). If the world is constructed through interaction then we must be attentive to different meanings contributed by actors: · What ideas do they hold? · What cultures do they belong to? · What rules and norms regulate their behavior? Constructivism denaturalizes identity As such, it opens up the possibility of multiplicity e.g. feminist Identity and foreign policy- first gulf war · There was little public or congressional support for participating in a war against Iraq in 1990 · George Bush effectively appealed to distinct images (Farmanfarmian, 1992) · US as 'righteous protector of the world' · Iraq as 'an evil destructive force' · Other Iraqis to justify conflict · This united public and congress opinion in favor of war How is identity constructed in foreign policy and/or security discourse? Human rights and foreign policy 2011 - Obama issues a memo instructing agencies abroad to "combat discrimination, homophobia, and intolerance" 2014 - International Human Rights Defense Act introduced to Congress
Directs the Special Envoy to develop or update annually for five years a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people. However, it has not been voted on yet Highlights: Foreign policy and internal (as well as external) identity construction. (Not voted on LGBT rights because it doesn't fit in with conservative American identity) Positive identification 'The European Community', the 'International Community' ... Building a 'World Society Negative identification Establishing boundaries between peoples: 'The West', the 'global South' the ‘Muslim World' Identity and regional community- the EU and Turkey · European identity: Historical or cultural basis · Or, 'universal' principles - a "loose collection of civic ideals and principles, such as democracy, progress, equality and human rights" (Soysal 2002: 265) What does the candidacy of Turkey reveal? · First applied for membership to EEC in 1959 · Even under AKP - Turkey "is committed to representative democracy, the rule of law, secular legitimacy, and integration with Europe" (Erdogan) · In 2005 - Chirac (among others) suggested that Turkey needed to undergo a cultural transformation before it could be considered European · EU based on Judeo-Christian values?How does identity apply to other conceptions of community? Identity and conflict: class of civilizations (Huntington) Civilizations inherently different- major entities of common cultural background (West, Islamic, Sino etc.) Assumption that differences