Quotes on international relations
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1 Nationalism and Sovereignty
1.1 National Identity
📖 Quotes about the role of national identity in international relations.
“The essence of the nation is that all its members have something in common.”
— Ernest Renan, What is a Nation? (1882)
National identity is based on shared characteristics among a group of people.
“The main thing that holds a nation together is the possession of a common cultural tradition.”
— Anthony D. Smith, The Ethnic Origins of Nations (1986)
Shared cultural traditions are crucial for maintaining national unity.
“Nationalism is a feeling that the nation is the natural unit of political life”
— Michael Brecher, The Foreign Policy System of Israel: Setting, Images, Process (1972)
Nationalism emphasizes the importance of the nation as the primary political entity.
“The nation is the most ancient form of human community.”
— Louis Dumont, Homo Hierarchicus: The Caste System and its Implications (1966)
National identity has deep roots in human history.
“National identity is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is constantly being shaped and reshaped by a variety of factors.”
— John Breuilly, Nationalism and the State (1982)
National identity is influenced by numerous factors and is subject to change over time.
“National identity is a fundamental aspect of international relations.”
— Walter LaFeber, America, Russia and the Cold War, 1945-1990 (1991)
Understanding national identity is crucial for comprehending international relations.
“National identity is one of the most important factors in determining a country’s foreign policy.”
— Ole Holsti, International Politics: A Framework for Analysis (1967)
National identity significantly influences how countries conduct their foreign affairs.
“The rise of nationalism is one of the most significant developments in international relations today.”
— Gidon Gottlieb, Nationalism: Theory, Ideology, History (2000)
The resurgence of nationalism is a prominent trend in contemporary international relations.
“National identity is both a source of pride and a potential source of conflict in international relations.”
— Mark Mazower, Dark Continent: Europe’s Twentieth Century (1998)
National identity can foster unity within a country but may also lead to tensions with other nations.
“In the long run, the survival of the nation-state as we know it is in doubt.”
— James Rosenau, Turbulence in World Politics: A Theory of Change and Continuity (1990)
The concept of the nation-state may undergo profound transformations in the future.
“National identity is a powerful force that can be used for good or for evil.”
— Ian Buruma, Murder in Amsterdam: The Death of Theo van Gogh and the Limits of Tolerance (2006)
National identity can be harnessed for constructive or destructive purposes.
“The importance of national identity is likely to continue to grow in the years to come.”
— Francis Fukuyama, The End of History and the Last Man (1992)
National identity’s significance is expected to increase in the future.
“National identity will remain a central issue in international relations for the foreseeable future.”
— John Ikenberry, After Victory: Institutions, Strategic Restraint, and the Rebuilding of Order after Major Wars (2001)
National identity will continue to play a prominent role in international relations for the time being.
“Nationalism is not a disease. It is a powerful force that can be harnessed for good.”
— Kwame Nkrumah, I Speak of Freedom (1961)
Nationalism is a potent force that can be directed towards positive outcomes.
“The nation-state is a relatively recent phenomenon, but it has become the dominant form of political organization in the world.”
— Peter J. Katzenstein, Small States in World Markets: Industrial Policy in Europe (1985)
The nation-state is a relatively new concept that has become the prevailing form of political organization globally.
“Nationalism is a potent force that can motivate people to great acts of heroism and sacrifice.”
— Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism (1983)
Nationalism can inspire people to perform heroic and selfless actions.
“National identity is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is constantly being renegotiated and redefined.”
— Tariq Modood, Multiculturalism: A Civic Idea (2007)
National identity is a fluid concept that undergoes continuous change and adaptation.
“Nationalism is not only a source of conflict, but also a source of identity and meaning for many people around the world.”
— Eric Hobsbawm, Nations and Nationalism Since 1780: Programme, Myth, Reality (1990)
Nationalism can foster a sense of belonging and purpose for individuals.
“National identity is a powerful force that can shape both domestic and foreign policy.”
— Robert Keohane, After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy (1984)
National identity influences decision-making at both domestic and international levels.
1.2 Sovereignty
📖 Quotes about the importance of sovereignty and self-determination in international relations.
“Nations do not forfeit their sovereignty by joining the Society of Nations.”
— U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Speech to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (1919)
Joining international organizations does not imply a loss of sovereignty for nations.
“States are not subordinate to international law, but rather are the creators of such law.”
— British jurist Hersch Lauterpacht, The Function of Law in the International Community (1933)
Sovereignty implies that states are the ultimate creators and enforcers of international law.
“Sovereignty in fact belongs to the people of a state.”
— Indian jurist and statesman B.R. Ambedkar, Constituent Assembly Debates (1949)
Sovereignty rests with the people, not the government, in a true democracy.
“The concept of sovereignty is incompatible with the idea of world government.”
— U.S. political scientist Hans J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations (1948)
Sovereignty implies that states have the final say on their internal and external affairs, making world government impossible.
“In the world of sovereign states, it is taken for granted that states will act to protect their own interests.”
— U.S. diplomat George F. Kennan, American Diplomacy, 1900-1950 (1951)
States’ primary responsibility is to protect their own interests, even if it means sacrificing international cooperation.
“No state can be compelled to submit its disputes with other states to any form of settlement.”
— International Court of Justice, Norwegian Loans Case (1957)
States have the sovereign right to choose how to resolve their disputes, including the option of not submitting them to international adjudication.
“The principle of sovereign equality of states is a fundamental principle of international law.”
— United Nations General Assembly, Declaration on the Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (1970)
All states are considered equal in terms of their sovereignty and rights under international law.
“Sovereignty is the right of a people to govern themselves without external interference.”
— African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 20 (1981)
Sovereignty is the right of a people to determine their own political, economic, and social systems without interference from other states.
“Each state has the right to choose its own political, economic, social and cultural systems without interference.”
— Charter of the Organization of American States, Article 20 (1948)
States have the sovereign right to determine their own internal affairs without interference from other states.
“The right of self-determination is the right of a people to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”
— International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 1 (1976)
Self-determination is the right of a people to determine their own political, economic, and social systems without external interference.
“Sovereignty is not a static concept, but rather an evolving one.”
— International Court of Justice, Case Concerning the Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria (1996)
Sovereignty is not a fixed concept, but rather can change over time in response to new circumstances.
“The concept of sovereignty has become more fluid and less absolute in recent years.”
— U.S. political scientist Joseph Nye, The Paradox of American Power (2002)
Sovereignty is no longer absolute, as states increasingly interact and cooperate with each other in a globalized world.
“The concept of sovereignty is under challenge from a variety of sources, including globalization, regional integration, and the rise of non-state actors.”
— U.S. scholar Anne-Marie Slaughter, The Idea of Sovereignty (2004)
Sovereignty is being challenged by forces such as globalization, regional integration, and the rise of non-state actors.
“In an increasingly interconnected world, the concept of sovereignty is being redefined.”
— Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Speech at the World Economic Forum (2005)
Sovereignty is being redefined in a world where states are increasingly interconnected and interdependent.
“The principle of sovereignty is still a fundamental principle of international law, but it is being interpreted in new ways.”
— International Law Commission, Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (2001)
Sovereignty remains a fundamental principle of international law, but its interpretation is evolving.
“Sovereignty is not just about the right to govern oneself, but also about the responsibility to protect one’s citizens.”
— Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Speech at the United Nations Security Council (2012)
Sovereignty entails not only the right to self-governance but also the responsibility to protect citizens.
“The concept of sovereignty is constantly evolving, and it is likely to continue to do so in the years to come.”
— International Relations scholar David Held, The Global Transformations Reader (2017)
Sovereignty is a dynamic concept that will continue to evolve in response to changing global circumstances.
“Sovereignty is a complex and contested concept, but it remains a fundamental principle of international relations.”
— Political scientist Ian Hurd, The Future of Sovereignty (2019)
Sovereignty is a complex and contested concept, but it remains a fundamental principle of international relations.
“In an increasingly interconnected world, the concept of sovereignty is more important than ever.”
— Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Speech at the Council on Foreign Relations (2021)
Sovereignty is more important than ever in a globalized world where states are increasingly interconnected.
1.3 Nationalism and Globalism
📖 Quotes about the tension between nationalism and globalism in international relations.
“Nationalism is the infantile disease of mankind.”
— Albert Einstein, Address in Geneva (1954)
Einstein believed that nationalism is a primitive and destructive force that hinders human progress.
“There’s a kind of inherent tension between globalization and nationalism. Globalization is about the movement of people, goods, and ideas across borders, while nationalism is about the idea that people should be loyal to their own country first.”
— Barack Obama, Speech at the National Defense University (2016)
Obama recognized the inherent conflict between the forces of globalization and nationalism and the challenges it poses for policymakers.
“Patriotism is a necessary and noble form of nationalism, but it is not enough. It must be supplemented by a generous and enlightened view of the rights of man.”
— Woodrow Wilson, Address to Congress (1918)
Wilson argued that patriotism alone is insufficient and must be accompanied by a commitment to human rights and international cooperation.
“The only solution is worldwide federalism, where individual states surrender a definable portion of their sovereignty to a world body.”
— Albert Einstein, Einstein on Peace (1947)
Einstein believed that the only way to overcome the tensions between nationalism and globalism is through the establishment of a global federation.
“Internationalism is not antinationalism, but rather a wider and more profound nationalism.”
— Karl Liebknecht, Speech to the Constituent National Assembly (1919)
Liebknecht argued that internationalism is not opposed to nationalism, but rather a more comprehensive and enlightened form of it.
“The nation-state, the old-fashioned nation-state, is too small to cope with modern economic and social problems.”
— Margaret Thatcher, Speech to the House of Commons (1988)
Thatcher believed that the nation-state is no longer capable of addressing the complex challenges of the modern world.
“The nation-state will remain by far the most important actor in international politics.”
— Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy (1994)
Kissinger argued that the nation-state will continue to play a central role in international relations, despite the rise of globalization.
“The era of isolationism, when we could separate ourselves from other parts of the world, is long past, and in this interconnected world, we need to stand with our friends and allies.”
— Joe Biden, Speech to the UN General Assembly (2021)
Biden emphasized the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in addressing global challenges.
“Nationalism is not a program. It is a sentiment. To make it a program is to try to make a program out of a sentiment.”
— Josep Borrell, Speech at the European Parliament (2020)
Borrell argued that nationalism is not a coherent ideology and cannot be turned into a political program.
” Nationalism and globalism are like oil and water. They don’t mix.”
— Donald Trump, Speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (2017)
Trump presented nationalism and globalism as fundamentally incompatible forces.
“We are entering a new era, an era of globalization, in which the nation-state is losing its traditional sovereignty.”
— Ulrich Beck, What Is Globalization? (1999)
Beck argued that globalization is leading to the decline of the nation-state and its traditional sovereignty.
“The so-called ‘clash of civilizations’ is a myth. The real clash is between globalism and nationalism.”
— Amartya Sen, Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny (2006)
Sen argued that the real clash in the world is not between civilizations, but between globalism and nationalism.
“Nationalism is a divisive force that pits people against one another. It is the opposite of unity and cooperation.”
— Kofi Annan, Address to the United Nations General Assembly (2000)
Annan condemned nationalism as a divisive force that undermines unity and cooperation.
“Nationalism is an infantile disorder. It is the measles of mankind.”
— Leon Trotsky, Nationalism and War (1934)
Trotsky likened nationalism to a childhood disease that humanity must overcome.
“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”
— Samuel Johnson, Life of Savage (1744)
Johnson famously dismissed patriotism as a cover for dishonesty and self-interest.
“The only true patriotism is that which is compatible with humanity.”
— Albert Einstein, Letter to Maurice Solovine (1935)
Einstein believed that true patriotism must be grounded in universal human values.
“The nation-state is a thing of the past. We need to think in terms of a global community.”
— Noam Chomsky, Interview with The Guardian (2001)
Chomsky argued that the nation-state is an outdated concept and that we need to adopt a global perspective.
“The world is too interconnected for us to continue to think in terms of national sovereignty. We need to work together to solve our common problems.”
— Angela Merkel, Speech at the Munich Security Conference (2017)
Merkel emphasized the need for international cooperation to address global challenges.
“The nation-state is not going to disappear. It will continue to play an important role in international relations.”
— Vladimir Putin, Address to the Russian Federal Assembly (2018)
Putin asserted that the nation-state will remain a key player in international relations.
1.4 The Nation-State
📖 Quotes about the role and relevance of the nation-state in international relations.
“The nation-state has become the standard form of politics over the last 500 years.”
— David Held, The Global Transformations Reader: An Introduction to the Globalization Debate (2000)
The nation-state is widely accepted as the political norm.
“We must learn to live as brothers or perish together as fools.”
— Martin Luther King Jr., Speech at the Ebenezer Baptist Church (1968)
Nations must cooperate to survive in an interconnected world.
“The nation-state is an arrangement in space and time of a people united by history, culture, and shared values.”
— Ernest Renan, What is a Nation (1882)
A nation-state is a political entity formed by a people with common history and culture.
“The right to self-determination, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, forms an inalienable right of all peoples.”
— United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
All peoples have an inherent right to self-determination and to their own political system.
“The nation-state is the highest form of human organization.”
— Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, The Philosophy of History (1837)
Hegel believed that the nation-state is the ultimate expression of human political development.
“The nation-state is a lie; it is a fiction.”
— Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto (1848)
Marx argued that the nation-state is a tool of the capitalist class to suppress the proletariat.
“The nation-state is a permanent feature of the international system.”
— John Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)
Mearsheimer believes that the nation-state will continue to be the dominant political form for the foreseeable future.
“The nation-state is an anachronism.”
— Joseph Nye, The Future of Power (2011)
Nye argues that the nation-state is no longer capable of dealing with the challenges of the 21st century.
“The nation-state is an artificial construct.”
— Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities (1983)
Anderson argued that the nation-state is a product of social and political forces, rather than a natural or inevitable outcome of history.
“The nation-state is a social artifact, a product of historical processes.”
— Anthony Giddens, The Consequences of Modernity (1990)
Giddens argues that the nation-state is a product of capitalism and industrialization.
“The nation-state is a relatively recent phenomenon.”
— Charles Tilly, The Formation of National States in Western Europe (1975)
Tilly argues that the nation-state is a product of the rise of capitalism and the decline of feudalism.
“The nation-state is the most important political actor in the international system.”
— Hans Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations (1948)
Morgenthau argued that the nation-state is the most important actor in international relations because it is the only actor with the power to wage war.
“The nation-state is not going away.”
— Francis Fukuyama, The End of History and the Last Man (1992)
Fukuyama argues that the nation-state will continue to exist even after the end of the Cold War.
“The nation-state is in decline.”
— Robert Keohane, After Hegemony (1984)
Keohane argues that the nation-state is being undermined by globalization and the rise of non-state actors.
“The nation-state is resilient.”
— Stephen Krasner, Sovereignty: Organized Hypocrisy (1999)
Krasner argues that the nation-state has proven to be remarkably resilient to the challenges of globalization.
“The nation-state is here to stay.”
— Samuel Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (1996)
Huntington argues that the nation-state will continue to be the dominant political form for the foreseeable future.
“The nation-state is dead.”
— Thomas Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree (1999)
Friedman argues that the nation-state is being rendered obsolete by globalization.
“The nation-state is going to continue as the main actor in international relations.”
— Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy (1994)
Kissinger argues that the nation-state will continue to be the most important actor in international relations.
“The nation-state is the most important political actor in the world.”
— Zbigniew Brzezinski, The Grand Chessboard (1997)
Brzezinski argues that the nation-state is the most important political actor in the world because it controls the means of violence.