Nationalism and the Pursuit of National Interests Chapter 6 Nationalism and the Pursuit of National Interests

Questions to Consider What is the relationship between nationalism and the pursuit of national interests? In what ways do nations and nation-states pursue national interests?

What are National Interests? Cultural, economic, political, religious or military goals of a nation. Pursuit of national interests means working towards these goals. Distinction between national and international interests Within vs. without (spending money on Canada’s infrastructure vs. aiding developing countries such as Haiti, for example)

Nationalist or Internationalist Interests? The nation should spend its’s money on its own citizens first, and on citizens of other nations through foreign aid only if there is money left over Internationalist: A nation should care both for its own citizens and the greater group of world citizens.

There was a time when pursuit of the national interest was accepted as the sole and self-evident purpose of foreign policy. Yet the concept has never been a simple one. What is the national interest? … Even for the greatest powers an enlightened view of the national interest must take account of wider concerns … No alleged national traditions or cultural standards can make right in one place what is wrong in every place. Christopher Patten

Why Pursue National Interests? Survival and security Non-proliferation agreement Afghanistan, Iraq Economic growth and power Foreign investments and loans To maintain the quality of life for the people in the nation Kyoto Protocol

Canada’s National Interests Northern Sovereignty* How do we pursue this national interest? Make our presence known (military bases and patrols) Validate our own land claims (resolve land disputes with Aboriginals) Develop the area (resource exploration) Use the area (shipping routes via the Northwest Passage) *a nation’s right to self government and control over its own jurisdiction that is recognized by other nations.

Northwest Passage

Canada’s National Interest Cont’d What are obstacles to pursuing this national interest? Alternate interpretations (US claims of the Northwest Passage being an international strait) Developing issues with Russia’s claim to the arctic (events that have unfolded over this past summer) Should we change our motto to “From sea to sea to sea”?

Nisga’a National Interests What are the interests of the Nisga’a people? Correcting interpretations of lands claims Crown believed First Nations were selling their land. Restoration of self-sufficiency A return to the status First Nations held before European contact. Maintaining their relationship to the land Traditional ways of life and thinking.

Nisga’a National Interests Cont’d How are these interests pursued? Lawsuit against government of B.C. over a claim to land surrounding the Nass River Valley. Previous ruling overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1973. Set precedent for Aboriginal land title claims. Settled in 2000, first treaty since colonial times. 2000 square kilometers of land 300 million cubic meter water reserve Bear Glacier Provincial Park Does this settlement achieve the Nisga’a’s national interests? http://www.landclaimscoalition.ca/modern-treaties/

Nisga’a Nation

Pursuit of National Interests In what ways do nations and nation-states pursue national interest?

East Timor’s National Interests Demonstrates what can happen when the interests of a nation conflict with those of a nation-state. Two decades of fighting and 250,000 deaths finally resulted in independence in 2002. Formerly a Portuguese colony, and then a province of Indonesia. Held a referendum, but militia groups plagued the country and destroyed infrastructure. Australian, Canadian, and other nations contributed troops to help. Why?

Concluding Thoughts National interests can be pursued in different ways. Some of these are more effective or costly than others. There are distinct differences between national and international interests, as well as between the interests of a nation-state and those of a nation within a nation. Why are national interests vital to our notions of nation and nationalism? What is a nation without interests?