...In what ways is foreign policy a problem of identity and alterity? Foreign policy is in every way a problem of identity and alterity because identification of the “foreign” exists at the very core of every decision making process in foreign policy. Foreign policy is defined as the strategy or approach chosen by the national government to achieve its goals in its relations with external entities (Hudson, 2008). It should not be understood as a bridge between preexisting states with secure identities. Rather, foreign policy is concerned about the establishment of the boundaries that constitute the state and the international system. There is a dichotomy here between the Self (the state) and the Other (the international system) (Campbell, 1998). In this context, the concepts of identity and alterity are inextricably tied together because defining oneself necessarily entails an “othering” process where one’s identity is built on what it is not, rather than what it is. In essence, identity is built on alterity. Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that the identity of a state is more than just something that is derived from a process of contradistinction. It is not a stable, single unitary “I”. It is a condition that has depth, is multilayered, possesses texture and comprises many dimensions. (Campbell, 1998) The identity of the state is also constantly in flux, being shaped constantly by both external and internal forces. With the process of globalization, the divide between...
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...Executive Summary The article begins by questioning the place of cultural boundaries in the place of international business. However, how can we really learn and incorporate another culture into own businesses practices. The article questions our methods of learning another culture and challenges us to no just learn the “black and white” rules of another culture but to actually learn about the settle differences and apply them to our daily practices. It will take more than studying and reading about other cultures to fully understand and connect with people of other cultures. The U.S department of education held a conference to evaluate the meaning of globalization and what it meant to different people around the world. People who oppose the idea of globalization view it as a tool to impose western cultural values on different cultures around the world. Many people view globalization as a tool of “cultural imperialism”, in which America can spread their pop culture and consumer values for their own elfish needs. However, others view globalization has necessary and essential agreement between nations to effectively and efficiently spread world resources. These people believe that globalization can help stem worldwide poverty in some areas and stimulate positive growth in developing countries. From a more objective perspective, globalization is the “embodiment of the world merging into massive transactional networks and nexuses of countries in terms of trade, commerce, capital...
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...Marcus Garvey claimed that, “There is a great deal of work to do and it calls for sacrifice and determination on the part of those who are leading.” Colin Powell and President Barack Obama are two African American men who had to overcome much adversity to achieve their elite status in American politics. Both of their journeys varied greatly with Powell serving as Secretary of State under George W. Bush and Obama becoming the first African-American Commander-in-Chief. They also chronicle their journeys with autobiographies, with Obama recording this passage of his life in his 1995 independently written autobiography Dreams from My Father, while Powell recollects stories from his life with the assistance of Joseph E. Persico in the 1995 book My American Journey. On an important side note, both of these books were written before they have reached their respective positions in politics. Obama wrote Dreams from My Father when he was still only a state Senator in Illinois, awhile before he even considered running for President. While Powell wrote My American Journey where at the time he was already Powell was already a 4-star general which preceded the events that led to his appointment as Secretary of State, where he was the first African-American to hold the position and gave his notorious speech in front on the United Nations dealing with the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which dramatically changed the public’s perception about him. Each story instead focuses on how they were...
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...Political Identity What I shall attempt to do in this paper is display my knowledge of the definition of power. I will also attempt to discuss the different theories of power looked at during this course and apply them to another familiar topic, political identity. I will pick one of the many theories of power we looked at and explain how it relates to political identity. Political identity and power are directly proportional. The more power one has, the more vivid political identity he will have. The more clear political identity one has, the easier it is to gain power. Before discussing and applying power to political identity, I will explain each topic, for one may question the importance of engaging in either of the topics. After referring to Webster's Dictionary, the definition of power is the ability to do something or act in particular way. Power is also the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or a course of events. Human power is very important to us. We utilize power as a way to feel superior to other humans who do not have the resources, or means to obtain power. Humans without power often need guidance, people to follow, look up to, and listen to. Political identity in the most obvious sense describes one of the different parties that one can possibly belong to. However, any part of ones identity used to vote can be considered a political identity. Richard Dahl placed power into three categories. Dahl believed that politics is the shaping...
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...Religion and Politics and the effect of religion in America For a virtuous instance of how religion affects politics in our current world we need not look very distant but rather look around you. The influence of Catholicism on Latin American politics, and the role religion plays on Middle Eastern politics have had a profound affect in those related societies. After examining the effects of religion into the above mentioned societies it is clear that the introduction of religion into politics has proven to be suppressive and counterproductive to most third world countries, and various subcultures in first world countries. A very well known writer and scholar on the history of Egypt, Budge, E. A. Wallis, "Egyptian Religion and Society: Egyptian Ideas of the Future Life (Library of the Mystic Arts)". Citadel Press. August 1, 1991. Wrote, “Most scholars have concluded that, in later times at least, there was no close personal tie between the individual Egyptian and the gods, that the gods remained aloof, that their relationship to humans was indirect, communicated to him by means of the king”. We must remember that there was no established book or set of teachings, as the Bible or the Qur'an, and few prescribed conditions of behavior or conduct. Humans were guided essentially by human wisdom and trusted in their belief in the goodness of the gods and of their divine son, the king. An important concept in Egyptian life was the idea of justice. Although the Egyptian was entirely...
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...Intersectionality was a concept introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw an American civil rights advocate, professor and leading scholar of Critical Race Theory. The concept of “intersectionality” came from a metaphor coined by Crenshaw to explain how race oppression and gender oppression operate in the lives of black women. Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality is the theory of how different types of discrimination interact. “The theory seeks to examine how social and cultural categories such as gender, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, and other axioms of identity interact on multiple levels.” In her widely read essay, Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color, Crenshaw highlights...
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...Europe becomes increasingly open, and its internal makeup begins to change, an important light has been shone on the internal identity politics of a swiftly changing continent. As the EU adapts its policy, borders, and even membership, the internal cleavages become increasingly pronounced. None more so than relations with European Muslims. This paper will examine identity politics as it relates to European civilization formation, looking at how Muslim political aspirations compare with those of other minority groups, as well as the changing face of Muslim political organizations and their role in changing perceptions. In determining the extent of Islamic challenges in Europe, it is important to understand how Muslim desires for identity recognition and respect compare to similar desires by other minority groups, as well as what constitutes equality in the contemporary epoch. Attitudes towards race and identity have developed beyond a mere colour blindness, towards a what has been termed “positive racial explicitness,” that is, taking pride in previously marginalized identities or in creating new identities as “a way of negotiating a position of equality and dignity” in today’s world. This hasn’t been limited to ethnic minorities either, but can be viewed in the identity politics of LGBT and feminist movements, especially in places where class politics have declined in salience. What is it that these movements expect and aim for? Iris Young described the ideal of equality as...
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...individual person as free and responsible for their own actions behaving on their own will. Not only does Ellison highlight a need for identity, but he specifically relates this need to African Americans during this time. Ellison questions whether or not race is an authentic marker of individuality and identity. The...
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...meanings are constructed; therefore they are only perceptions of reality. our understanding of meaning and view of the world has been created by the society in which we are surrounded in, brought up in and bred in. who plays the major role in all of this, who makes meaning out of what we see and learn? Is it the man on the side of the road who believes god is real, because he came from a religious background? Or is it the politician that we all elected and trust will tell us what’s right and wrong, and what really means what. Culture then goes on to create social roles for each individual. Our identity becomes shaped by our culture’s expectations. Our identity is shaped by a tension between our own ideas (culturally influenced) and the way our culture defines our roles. Television, radio, film and all other means of media culture provide ingredients out of which we create our ideal identities; our sense of existence; are idea of what it...
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...Changing Identities Influencing Iran’s Development The multifaceted political and socio-cultural context of the Middle-East often leads to misunderstandings about the nature of its society. In order to be fully aware of the reasoning as to why states in the Middle-East do what they do, an in depth analysis linking both the past and present is necessary. The continuous disorder portrayed in the news has created a negative image of the Middle-East. In the case of Iran, this is especially true. Similarly to many other states in the Middle-East, Iran’s past can be characterized by perpetual ideological conflict, rivaling tribal factions and a difficulty in sustaining a lasting identity. In contrast, however, Iran was among several developing nations to escape direct colonialism.[1] Nevertheless, “economic domination and imperial manipulation describe Europe’s relationship with Iran for much of the century leading up to 1950.”[2] In understanding Iran’s flux of identities throughout the 20th century, several notions must be clarified. Firstly, Iran is not an Arab nation nor have they adopted Arabic language or culture. Secondly, the Shi’a minority in Iran, and their lingering divergence in beliefs compared to that of the Sunnis and the West has always been an issue with respect to their distinctiveness as a nation. That being said, Iran’s inability to sustain a lasting individuality is directly related to the differing identities proposed...
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...Individuals, Foucault, and the Boundary Experiences. Scott begins his essay by defining the word “facticity” and characterizing its importance in determining different inclinations and predispositions among individuals and institutions concerning those who belong among the “normal” political subjects as part of the “we”. However, one must tread cautiously when believing facticity itself and determining our own reasonable sense of who belongs and who are excluded. Scott states that “frequently conflictual situations can trespass our secure boundaries of sense” (Taking Facticity Seriously 21). While these potential encroachments can warp our sense of facticity, such as through Scott’s pool ownership example, they give us opportunities to think differently from the way we previously thought and potentially value things differently as well. Our senses of facticity stem from limits defined by the operations of our meanings, beliefs, economic conditions, social relations and identities, etcetera and our disposition towards familiarity linked to those limits. It is often through our outlooks produced by those familiarities that we see the world and who belongs in it with “us”. Scott then moves towards the methods of Foucault in questioning those outside of the political social norm with his clear intention to relate these “mentally ill” individuals’ experiences to politics. It is through these interviews and experiences did Scott believe Foucault intended to bring those within the political structure...
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...Godwill Sibanda G12S4254 Politics 3 Tut 2 Tarryn The claim by Mbembe that African identity doesn’t exist as a substance is valid to a greater extent when we take into consideration that African has multiple ancestries. Mbembe criticize African scholarship where somehow they isolate Africa from the world by putting Africa as the place for blacks who share a common identity. This assertion set obstacles to moving forward and engaging with the African history. For Mbembe identity is a substance constituted through a series of practices which means that African identity cannot be named or subsumed under one category. It is of importance to note that Africa is not a country, though African share common African realities, cultures do differ. Mbembe (2002:240) proceeds to give a persuasive critique of dominant intellectual trends for having only selected certain elements of the African collective imaginaire to define an African self, these privileged moments in African history being slavery, colonisation and apartheid. In the present day African intellectuals still perceive and portray Africa as a victim in their writings. He identifies suffering and victimisation as the main episteme of these narratives. Following these narratives, the implication is that Africa has always, has been acted upon by the external forces. This means that Africa is powerless in the international relations and will never progress due to being stuck in history, where history has been imposed on Africa. For...
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...think about it it’s probably pretty accurate, not to say you aren’t your own person, just that many people have an influence on you when it comes to your identity and how you define yourself. I know personally, my family has a lot of influence on me. As I’ve grown up I see myself having many of the same values my mother. When you reach the end of your high school career its time to start planning on what you want to do with your life, those choices are often times reflective of what your family has done. For me, my family was pretty interested in politics and kept up with it. That has impacted my interests and opened up many doors for me in regards to the country we live in. My cultural identity is reflective of my own personal interests and those I have surrounded myself with. I grew up in a family who taught me the importance of knowledge, the more you know about the world the better off you will be. I think being informed is a key factor to leading a successful life. My parents would always get up at the crack of dawn to head to the polls to vote. They would educate themselves on the issues and most importantly the people. My mom would always tell me to not vote for who people tell...
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...This also relates to the aspect of human nature, which is effectively woven into the text, as the discovery of one’s identity is an extremely human want or need. Humans are deeply driven by their sense of who they are and this is illustrated very effectively through the development of Tris’ character as she accepts being Divergent and what that entails. The author’s ability to create that level of connection towards Tris is what enables an effective connection between her senses of identity to the issues many people in our society today face regarding their...
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...Analysis of Fall-outs with Secularism INTRODUCTION Secularism is one of the most important aspects in the present Indian socio – political – economic scene. Unfortunately, Secularism in the present Indian context seems to be incomplete due to the intermingling of religion with politics and thus Secularism has been criticized by many. This project first defines the term “Secularism”, then puts light on the Secularist ideas followed by us and finally analyses the various critiques attached to it which have developed over time. What is Secularism and Why Secularism? “Secularism is the process by which sectors of society and culture are removed or separated out from religious symbols and institutions so as to constitute their own domains. The Secular state is a state that guarantees individual and corporate freedom of religion, deals with the individual as a citizen irrespective of his religion, is not constitutionally connected to a particular religion, nor seeks either to promote or interfere with religion.” The Secularism in question is basically the interrelation between the state and multiple religious communities in India. In addition to this, we also need to know why Secularism was needed for India in the first place. The following arguments are the most apt arguments which show the need for a Secular state. Firstly, the Indian society at large was a mixture of numerous cultures, religions, customs and languages. Thus if the dream of a single nation was to be fulfilled...
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