Title: To what extent should nationalist interest be pursued?
1Unit 2
- To what extent should nationalist interest be
pursued?
2Chapter 5 National Interest and Foreign Policy
3How are Nationalism and National Interest Related?
- Aspects of National Interest
- People who govern democratic communities and
nations make decisions based on what is the best
interest of the community or nation. - Whether a peoples nationalism is based on a
shared ethnicity and culture or shared beliefs
and values, they want certain benefits for
themselves and their communities.
4- National Interest may focus on one or more of the
following - Economic prosperity This includes stable
employment and a decent standard of living. - Security and Safety Measure to maintain
national security and physical protection include
laws that protect citizens within the country, as
well as secure borders that can be defended
against intruders. - Beliefs and values These include affirming and
promoting citizens values, beliefs, and
cultures. Governments try to safeguard and
respect the shared worldviews, ways of life,
traditions, and languages of their citizens. - In which ways is an educated population in the
best interests of both a peoples personal
interest and in a national interest?
5Changing views of National Interest
- Just as peoples understanding for nationalism
may differ, their opinions on what is in the
national interest may also differ. - National interest is not static or unchanging.
Events within a country can change peoples
opinion about what is in the national interest.
For example, what was the national interest for
the regions hit by the tsunami December 26, 2006?
6Differing Views of National Interest
- People often decide what is in the national
interest based on the understanding on nation and
national identity. - For example, many Canadians take pride in
Canadas reputation as a nation of peacekeepers.
Their course of action may depend on whether or
not it promotes peace in the world.
7- Another example is China. The Chinese government
believes that a strong military is essential.
Chinas military might is meant to safeguard
its own security and stability. It is meant to
deter the hostile elements of Cold War mentality
who attempt to threaten Chinas national interest
with force.
8How are Nationalism and National Interest Related?
- Peoples choices are often inspired by loyalty.
Nationalism and national loyalty can inspire
people to pursue the national interests of their
country or nation. - The Summer Olympics of 2008 in Beijing allowed
the Chinese to show the world how proud they were
of their nation. This would be a national
interest. - It also allowed for those opposed of China and
the Chinese rule over Tibet to show their
conflicting national interest.
9National Interest and Artic Sovereignty
- National interest often involves claiming
sovereignty over territory. - This is the case in the Arctic, where five
countries claim sovereignty to islands and the
seabed. These countries are Canada, the United
States, Denmark, Norway, and Russia. - In August 2007, Russia claimed part of the 1800
km Lomonosov Ridge, which runs under the Arctic
Ocean. The Russian government states that this
ridge is part of the continental shelve that is
connected to Russia. - Canada disputes this claim.
10- According to the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea, countries have sovereignty over
22.2 km of sea beyond their coastline. - Two factor highlight the importance of claiming
sovereignty in the Arctic - 1. The ice is melting. This may open up the
Northwest Passage which will make it easier to
travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific
Ocean. Canada lays claim to this passage but
other nations dispute it. - 2. There is an abundance of resources in the
Arctic from oil, to gold, tin and diamonds.
11Views on Canadas national interests in the Artic
- In August of 2007, Stephen Harper announced that
Canada would protect the sovereignty of its
Arctic territory by - Sending patrol ships to the artic
- Increasing aerial surveillance in the region
- Expanding the Canadian Rangers program
- Building a training centre
- Establish a deepwater docking and refuelling port
12How has national interest shaped foreign policy?
- A policy is a plan of action that has been
deliberately chosen to guide or influence future
decisions. - A countrys government is responsible for
developing both domestic policy and foreign
policy. - Foreign policy decisions may have short term
effects or long term effects. - Some foreign policy decisions made at the end of
World War I are still affecting the world today.
Many people believe that the turmoil in the
Middle Eastern countries related directly to the
foreign policy decisions of the United States and
European countries as they pursued their own
national interest.
13National Interests and World War I Peace
Settlements
- World War I was fought in Europe, the Middle
East, Asia, and Africa. - On one side were the Central Powers (Germany,
Austro-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria). - On the other side were the Allies (Britain,
France, Russia, Italy, and later the United
States). - This war was enormous and deadly. Many millions
of people died and the financial cost was huge.
14- Before WWI, nationalism flourished in Europe.
Many governments believed that expanding their
territory in Europe and in their colonies was
their national interest. - Their foreign policies involved forming alliances
with other European countries. These alliances
allowed for the members to help one another out
if they should be threatened. The alliances are
what allowed countries to enter the war so
quickly.
15The straw that broke the camels back
- In June of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of
Austria-Hungary was visiting Sarajevo. - Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia, which was
controlled by the Austro-Hungarians. - While on his visit, a young Serbian assassinated
the Archduke and his wife. - This event is said to have led to WWI.
16- Due to the assassination of the Archduke, Austria
made demands to Serbia and comply in 24 hours.
Serbia refused and Austria began to use military
pressure. - Russia was aligned with Serbia and declared war
on Austria. - Germany, in alliance with Austria, declared war
on Russia. - France and Britain then declared war on Germany.
17- Most of the people affected by the war, had no
say in the decision to go to war. - Canada, as a commonwealth nation, went to war
when Britain declared war on Germany. - Many of the people who lived in Russia, the
Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire
also had no say in this decision.
18- World War I lasted four long years and finally
ended when an armistice (truce) was declared at
11a.m. on November 11th, 1918.
19Treaty Negotiations in France
- Peace talks after the war took place in Paris,
France, from 1919 to 1920. At these talks,
leaders focused on the issues that had caused the
war sovereignty and territory, economic
interests and security, and nationalism and
national identity. - The victorious Allies wanted to punish Germany.
The leaders of Britain, France and the United
States were the most powerful and made most of
the decisions of the treaty. These decisions
affected millions of people.
20- For Germany, the Treaty of Versailles meant harsh
financial, military, and territorial penalties. - The treaty required Germany to
- Reduce its military strength
- Pay war reparation to compensate the Allies for
the costs of the war - Five up territory in Europe as well as all its
colonies - Accept to responsibility for causing all the
loss and damage that had affected the Allies.
21National Interests after WWI
- During WWI, many Canadians believed that fighting
the war was in their national interest. - However, after the war, this national interest
changed. It went from being foreign to domestic. - In Canada, many people had jobs within the war
industry. When the war was over, many people lost
their jobs and returning veterans could not find
jobs. - Many other nations became more interested in
domestic interests as well. The French and
Belgians needed to rebuild their nations. - The Treaty of Versailles was not enforced as so
many of the Allies were worried about domestic
issues.
22National Interests in the Middle East
- Before WWI, the Turkish rulers of the Ottoman
Empire had focused on their own national
interests. - Arabs in the empire shared traditions, religion,
language, and history, and often suffered
persecution at the hands of the Turks. - During the war, Arab nationalism grew. The Arab
peoples wanted self-government. To help in this,
the Arabs helped the Allies fight the Turks and
the Germans in the Middle East. In return, they
were promised an independent Arab homeland. - Arab Prince Emir Faysal led his people and helped
the British gain control of Palestine in 1917. - The French and British took advantage of him and
divided up the Middle East between themselves.
23National Interest and Policy in the Middle East
- There were other treaties besides the Treaty of
Versailles that were signed after WWI. - Other treaties gave France control over the
territory and the peoples of Syria and Lebanon. - Britain controlled Cyprus, Iraq, and Palestine.
- Although the United States was not involved in
controlling the Middle East, it supported Britain
and France. - These three super powers paid little attention to
the interests of the Arab people. They were more
focused on their own national interests. - Prior to WWI, there was little oil used and
needed. After WWI, however, oil became a hot
commodity. - Britain and France believed that if they
controlled the Middle East, then they would
control the oil. - Arab nationalists were outraged. They wanted
their own nation. They became angrier when the
British passed the Balfour Declaration which gave
the Jewish people Palestine.
24How has foreign policy shaped national interest?
- Just as national interest shapes foreign policy,
foreign policy can also affect national interest.
- For example, a governments foreign policies can
affect its citizens safety and security, their
economic future, and their values and culture. - Canadas effort on the War on Terrorism in
Afghanistan is part of a foreign policy. Canada
is part of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty
Organization) and when NATO decided to go to war
with the Taliban, Canada went to war as well. How
did this affect our national interest?
259/11 and Canada in Afghanistan
- The 9/11 attacks on the United States killed
nearly 3000 people including 24 Canadians. - After the attack, it was believed that Osama bin
Laden was hiding in Afghanistan under the
protection of the Taliban. - After the attacks, the United Nations agreed that
the United States and its allies could invade
Afghanistan, bring down the Taliban regime and
find bin Laden. - NATO organized the mission, and Canada with the
United States and other member nations attacked
the Taliban in October 2001. - Once the Taliban government was defeated,
Canadian troops kept peace while a new government
was formed.
26- In 2003, the American troops were withdrawn from
Afghanistan and sent to invade Iraq. - As American troops left, more Canadian and other
countries forces were needed to make up for this
loss of troops. - Canadian troops also expanded their role to
include active combat. - This has brought much debate for the Canadian
people and the Canadian government. - War costs both money and lives. To date 88
Canadians have been killed in Afghanistan and the
government is expected to have spent 3.5 billion
by early 2009.
27- Some say that a military role was not the right
mission for Canada and that we should led the
world into peace, not follow the U.S. into wars.
Jack Layton - Others state that we are there for the Afghan
people, and that if we abandon fellow human
beings to their misery, that it will become our
own.
28- Canadians are split on the role that the Canadian
military should take in Afghanistan. - Should the Canadian forces engage in combat?
Should they only be there as peacekeepers? Or
should the Canadian forces be completely withdraw
from Afghanistan? - Afghans are concerned about their future. They
want the same opportunities that many others have
around the world.
29National Interests and Rights for Women in
Afghanistan
- When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, girls
were not allowed to go to school and women were
not allowed to have careers. - Sima Samar is Afghanistans first minister of
womens affairs. In 2007, she headed the
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission,
which monitors the progress of government
agencies and other institutions toward
implementing human rights laws and policies.