Vicarious Identity in International Relations

Vicarious Identity in International Relations PDF

Author: Christopher S. Browning

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 0197526381

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"This book theorizes and problematizes the politics of vicarious identity in International Relations, where vicarious identity refers to processes of 'living through the other'. While prevalent and recognised in family and social settings, the presence and significance of vicarious identification in international relations has been overlooked. Vicarious identification offers the prospect of bolstering narratives of self-identity and appropriating a sense of reflected glory and enhanced self-esteem, but insofar as it may mask and be a response to emergent anxieties, inadequacies and weaknesses it also entails vulnerabilities. The book explores both its attraction and potential pitfalls, theorising these in the context of emerging literatures on ontological security, status and self-esteem, highlighting both its constitutive practices and normative limits and providing a methodological grounding for identifying and studying the phenomenon in world politics. Vicarious identification and vicarious identity promotion are shown to be politically salient and efficacious across a range of scales, from the international politics of the everyday evident, for instance, in practices associated with (militarised) nationalism, through to interstate relations. In regard to this latter the book provides case analyses of vicarious identification in relations between the US and Israel, the UK-US 'special relationship' and Denmark and the US, and develops a framework for anticipating the conditions under which states may be more or less tempted into vicarious identification with others"--

Ontological Security in International Relations

Ontological Security in International Relations PDF

Author: Brent J. Steele

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2008-03-10

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 1135980098

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The central assertion of this book is that states pursue social actions to serve self-identity needs, even when these actions compromise their physical existence. Three forms of social action, sometimes referred to as ‘motives’ of state behaviour (moral, humanitarian, and honour-driven) are analyzed here through an ontological security approach. Brent J. Steele develops an account of social action which interprets these behaviours as fulfilling a nation-state's drive to secure self-identity through time. The anxiety which consumes all social agents motivates them to secure their sense of being, and thus he posits that transformational possibilities exist in the ‘Self’ of a nation-state. The volume consequently both challenges and complements realist, liberal, constructivist and post-structural accounts to international politics. Using ontological security to interpret three cases - British neutrality during the American Civil War (1861-1865), Belgium’s decision to fight Germany in 1914, and NATO’s (1999) Kosovo intervention - the book concludes by discussing the importance for self-interrogation in both the study and practice of international relations. Ontological Security in International Relations will be of particular interest to students and researchers of international politics, international ethics, international relations and security studies.

National Identities and International Relations

National Identities and International Relations PDF

Author: Richard Ned Lebow

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2016-10-20

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 1316721078

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Identity is the master variable for many constructivist scholars of international politics. In this comparative study, Richard Ned Lebow shows that states do not have identities any more than people do. Leaders, peoples, and foreign actors seek to impose national identifications consistent with their political projects and psychological needs. These identifications are multiple, fluid and rise in importance as a function of priming and context. Leaders are at least as likely to invoke national identifications as rationalizations for policies pursued for other reasons as they are to be influenced by them. National identifications are nevertheless important because they invariably stress the alleged uniqueness of a people and its country, and are a principal means of seeking status and building self-esteem. Lebow tracks the relative appeal of these principles, the ways in which they are constructed, how they influence national identifications, and how they in turn affect regional and international practices.

Ontological Insecurities and the Politics of Contemporary Populism

Ontological Insecurities and the Politics of Contemporary Populism PDF

Author: Brent J. Steele

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-05-31

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 1000885771

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This book explores contemporary populist politics through the lens of ontological security theory. It shows that the 'divisionary politics of populism' is fostered by narratives of crisis and insecurity surrounding the imagined Self that gives shape to 'the people' that populism claims to represent. The loss of faith in mainstream political parties and moderate electoral candidates seems characteristic of the Zeitgeist in much of the Western world and beyond. Politicians and agendas propped up by a discourse that antagonizes established political elites on behalf of a reified, and homogenized people has become a trend in the politics of several countries. This book has brought together a team of worldwide renowned specialists on ontological security to grapple with the contemporary populist challenge through the conceptual lens of ontological security theory. From crises of democracy in the West, to backlashes against democratization in the Global South, this collection not only unveils fundamental structures underpinning these significant and current phenomena. It also provides us with the analytical tools to understand other occurrences of populist politics that are gaining traction across the globe. This book will be of great interest to upper-level students, researchers, and academics in Politics, International Relations and Security. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Cambridge Review of International Affairs.

International Relations and Identity

International Relations and Identity PDF

Author: Xavier Guillaume

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2010-10-04

Total Pages: 189

ISBN-13: 1136925961

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This book examines the issue of collective political identity formation and expands the concept of international relations beyond the notion of states. It develops a dialogical theory of international relations and illustrates with a case study on Japan.

Nation Branding and International Politics

Nation Branding and International Politics PDF

Author: Christopher S. Browning

Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP

Published: 2023-10-15

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 022801946X

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Nation branding is regarded as essential for competitiveness among countries, but the idea of branding nations is often derided as lacking seriousness. While nation branding has been on the radar of scholars of marketing, communication, and media studies, as well as political geography for decades, it has only made a small dent into the international relations field. In Nation Branding and International Politics Christopher Browning argues that international relations should take nation branding seriously. Nation branding not only involves the issues of culture, identity, and status – which are of principal concern to IR – but it is also a different and potentially fruitful way of reconceptualizing statehood. Mobilizing work on ontological security, anxiety, status, and distinction, and grounding the analysis in a broader historical context, Browning finds that nation branding is politically significant, though not necessarily for the reasons its advocates claim. Specifically, the book raises important questions about nation branding’s influence on the constitution of national identity, the reframing of citizenship, and the topography of contemporary geopolitics. Nation Branding and International Politics considers how status, prestige, and reputation are constructed and maintained in international society, and how, perhaps, this construction and maintenance may be changing – just as the practice of nation branding is changing.

Ordering International Politics

Ordering International Politics PDF

Author: Janice Bially Mattern

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780415948975

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First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Evolving Identity Politics and Cross-Strait Relations

Evolving Identity Politics and Cross-Strait Relations PDF

Author: Y. Zuo

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Published: 2016-02-03

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781137537249

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The cross Taiwan Strait clash has evolved from a regime challenge revolving around ideological confrontation between Taipei and Beijing into a conflict about Taiwan's nationhood. In Evolving Identity Politics and Cross-Strait Relations, Yana Zuo shows that Taiwan's future is still full of uncertainty and unpredictability. A mutually acceptable solution is not likely without the 'one China' principle as an independent Taiwan fundamentally challenges China's modern national identity. Zuo demonstrates that dialogues between nationalism studies and international relations are urgently needed in explaining much of the identity-related conflict. States are under pressure of finding balance between an ordered state and a harmonious society. National consciousness contributes as a possible starting point to bring the society back to constructivism theorization of identity.

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