National Identities and International RelationsIdentity 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. |
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accepted accessed actors affiliations agency American appeal argues associated attempt become behavior bodies Britain build Cambridge century China citizens claim collective concept consider construction cooperation countries create cultural described develop distinctiveness diverse domestic dominant economic effect efforts Empire encourage equality Ethics Europe European evidence example existing failed foreign policy former France gain Germany Global goals groups hegemony hierarchy History identity important impose individuals influence institutions interests International Relations international society Japan kind leaders Lebow legitimacy less means memory military multiple narratives national identifications needs norms offers official ontological security organizations past percent perform political practices principle psychological reason recent recognition recognized regimes regional relationship require response rise roles rules Russia seek self-identifications shape social standing status territory Theory tion turn understandings Union United University Press values World York