3 concepts of internationalism Essay 1500 PDF

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Essay titled: Review essay on the three concepts of internationalism, by Fred Halliday (1988)...

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REVIEW ESSAY PART 1! Intro to international relations ! Mark: 64/100 B+

Due: 9th November 2018

Review essay on the three concepts of internationalism, by Fred Halliday (1988) Throughout this essay, I will assume a critical perspective on Fred Halliday’s article of the three concepts of internationalism. In dividing my essay into three section, I will be able to focus on three specific questions which i’ll be using to help review the article. ! Section one:! From reviewing this article, i’ve established that one of Halliday’s main arguments is that of International relations in many ways being too focused on the objective recording of facts, with the core elements ideally consisting of the ‘reflective analysis of current affairs’ (pp 187.) Instead of this, it is more generally concerned with the concepts of which we use to analyse and accurately record these events, generalising these to a majority of the world; despite them being Eurocentric and without the acknowledgment of societies being structured in other ways than just economic and political gain. Whilst most political understanding is based on conceptual ideas, in this specific case, Halliday argues that it doesn’t let us establish cause and effect relationships with events and theory, as in many way academics are too bothered arguing which concept is the more accurate representation of international affairs. This is rather than taking action and using conceptual ideas which have been proved as accurate, and taking the normative value of what we should do, to nations and governments putting it into motion. Instead of just ‘which’ analytical categories can best explain interstate conflicts, it is suggested that using many of the concepts which all have evidential backing to help explain events from different perspectives would be a more objective and helpful use of the study of internationlism. After reading the article, I can see the author’s structure is that of proposing the argument and the problems he’s come across in the analysis of the concepts of internationalism, explaining the definition and basic concepts, along with the perspectives which people take in approaching these problem; with a critical analysis of all ideas. Finally conclusively stating what needs to happen to take the normative approach which these concepts are based on and bringing it to reality, instead of simply recording events which they’ve predicted and yet not influenced in any way. In relation to the article, the author defines internationalism as a ‘cluster concept’ (pp 188) from which three broad themes are developed. All three themes weigh heavy with their influence on international relations; the internalisation of the world, the increased collaboration of political processes and thirdly the idea of the promotion of understanding and freedom. One understanding i’ve taken from this article is that Halliday accepts the importance of a variety of perspectives, in many ways a sense of triangualism, not just a singular mindset which many existing pieces of research have been flawed before. In the authors focus on post world war one and two, we understand on more of a relatable view to how nationalism and modern internationalism has had profound effects on the development of the global economy, with the torment and bloodshed in many ways opening the path a future in ‘which loyalty to the nation-state would gradually be eroded and replaced by a distinct internationalist order.’!

SECTION TWO! The author speaks of internationalism and nationalism being two profound ideologies which create interstate conflict and yet promote peace and prosperity. The idea of Mcluhan’s ‘Global Village’ focuses on the 'internationalisation of the world’ (pp.189) through economic and political processes. Whereas, we have the nationalist idea, that countries feel a sense of autonomous

REVIEW ESSAY PART 1! Intro to international relations ! Mark: 64/100 B+

Due: 9th November 2018

loyalty to their country, with globalisation and the growing interdependence of nation states through international organisations such as the United nations and European union creating conflict, due to an asymmetrical beginning.! Eurocentrism in relation to internationalism is essentially the idea that the rules of the game are set up and maintained in the favour of European or western nation states, with the illusion that it benefits all. For instance the united nations and supreme councils, are mostly made up of European and people of western background. In many ways it can be seen as a global marxist view of the bourgeoisie and proletariats, with internationalism and the westernisation of the world through globalisation being the ideals and values which keep countries weaker economically from being able to balance the playing field. The idea of an equal playing field is that of a liberalist concept, with Halliday sourcing Rousseau’s quote of ‘ Commerce tends more and more to establish a balance between state and state; and by depriving certain powers of the exclusive advantage they once drew from it.’ This explains that internationalism allows countries to enter trade agreements and free markets, with the support of economically more stable countries; whether that through their population investing through goods or the exportation of raw materials like as through brazil with Timber, allowing deprived societies and economies to flourish. Whilst liberalism has been seen as a more interactionist view of thinking, Hallidays highlights that this form of internationalism acknowledges the fact that in order to succeed internationally, national/ state demands of participating countries need to be met. In contrast to past schools of thought which simply write off nationalism as completely damaging to any progress of global integration! In addition, the Author also points out that whilst ideas that the emergence of a more ‘global Village’ (Mcluhan,1964) have been shown to in many aspects 'eliminate the prospect of war’ (pp.192) with agreements and the threat of interdependence making the ripples of war unpredictable to many countries economies, it is in modern day naive to think that war isn’t ‘compatible with industrial society’ (Halliday, 1988, pp.192) ! However in contrast to this, Halliday sheds light on another perspective of internationalism, which suggests more poigniantly, that globalisation is seen different in societies which is often forgotten as we take the western concept and its suspiciously optimistic view as gospel. It is dependant of the individuals background, which globalisation and the advancement of social media for instance can be seen as making people more aware of their background, which is perhaps being oppressed due to the globes assymetrical standing. ! Hegemonic internationalism is the idea that internationalism takes place but through a more forceful process, for example through direct colonial rule such as with the British empire, or more recently the involvement of organisations such as the IMF, which under the pretence of economically stabilising countries, enforce western ruling and laws, with cultural diversity and sovereignty being threatened. This strand of internationalism can be seen as a classically realist theory, as it suggests our goal is simply economic and political power, with no desire for an equal playing field, but a more subtle way of controlling those of a weaker position! This can also be seen as a reason as to why Nationalism has risen in popularity again, as credibility and respect for internationalist processes has declined as people are becoming more aware of the unequal terms and favour towards the west. Metaphorically speaking, there may be rules which people adhere to, but the rules were still made by someone, and set to benefit a certain type of country. ! In relation to moderately recent examples, Halliday also refers to the similarities of the communist manifesto and soviet leadership to that of internationalism. With again the idea of a level playing field, when looking beneath the surface was a nationalistic regime!

REVIEW ESSAY PART 1! Intro to international relations ! Mark: 64/100 B+

Due: 9th November 2018

SECTION 3! Conclusively, throughout the article, it is suggested that each strain of internationalism, whilst holding weight and accuracy in their perspective, is thwarted by the idea that there is no simple resolution between ‘transnationalism and interdependance.’ Whilst greater independence and interaction may have decreased conflict to a certain extent, the gap which Halliday has highlighted is that of what we define as conflict. Many international relations scholars see conflict in a outdated view, such as simply military intervention and bloodshed. However, if our global economy as liberal internationalism has suggested has in many ways destroyed the attractiveness of physical war, then there must be another form of conflict to replace it. Seen after world war two with the soviet Union, the Cold war, with political moves and countries harnessing the flow of trade for instance in their favour to economically damage other countries. A modern day example of this is the trade war between the USA and North Korea, showing that even the most independent of countries are still tied through globalisation and free trade. ! From analysing this article, Halliday also suggests that a re-imaging of internationalism is needed, taking the view away from the pessimistic, hegemonically fuelled perception of interdependence, to that of a balance of both approaches. For instance, with the optimism of classically liberalist views on peace and greater political undestanding, along with the structurally realist view of accepting that whilst asymmetry is still a large problem, development isn’t going to happen over night as it is with interstate conflicts such as the gender pay gap or racism. In using both these approaches instead of historically focusing on them as single concepts, a view which understands and respects the nation’s individual needs as well as the understanding of sacrificing some freedom for greater global economic good is the normative value which international relations should be focusing on incorporating into its works.! Bibliography! Halliday F (1988) Three concepts of internationalism. International Affairs 64(2): 187-198.!...