Constructivist Say: What a Respectful World

In Tuesday's class, Erin, PA in teal heels with a suit, transformed into Erin Lockwood, teacher, in teal heels and a SUIT.  Although the greater authority of PTJ hovered like a ghost in the background, Erin was respected because PTJ gave her authority, and she did not transgress such powers of authority.

Consequently, on a macro scale, states act in a balance of power.  They are given authority when their actions are seen as legitimate.  What constitutes legitimacy?  It is shaped by the idea that states are bound by ideas rather than contracts.  Ideas are embodied by domestic/national ideologies and international trust (alliances).

Yet, with such a busy, “thick” anarchy, would one state notice if another transgressed international law?  In Orwell's book, Animal Farm, the nation-state of the farm is usurped by pigs.  There is no limit to their totaltarian rule:  excessive labor without compensation, false confessions, murdering the elderly, and changing laws.  Neighboring farms conspire with/attack against the regime, but it remains, though miserly. 

Absolute power? (1)

Though a satire on the Russian Revolution, Animal Farm was contained.  The people were not strong enough to resist the order and there was no international system.  Contemporary times pose new norms.  Aiming for the "goodness of humanity," states are chided if they are caught in opposing acts by international organizations (i.e. E.U., U.N.), NGOs, and war laws.

Still, what prevents states from acting like Animal Farm?  Although states are run by humans who sympathize with their fellow humans (i.e. the Holocaust was bad), as Machiavelli presumed, humans are creatures driven by power and self-interest (i.e. the competition of capitalism).  These two concepts find a medium in international respect.  As Machiavelli stated, states want more than the fragile and fleeting authority.  They crave glory.  For example, Mr. Bame, Director of Public Affairs and Outreach for the State Department’s Bureau of International Organizations, stated that “Iran likes to see itself as a leader.”  Thus, it reconsidered keeping American hikers hostage not because of ethics but because of politics.  Farideh Farhi, from the University of Hawaii, observed,“He loves publicity and thinks what he is doing is a very effective public diplomacy” (2).  States care about how others perceive them, which may limit their power.

1. http://www.audiobooksonline.com/0786102535.html   (for more info:   http://www.theorwellreader.com/essays/yemenici.html)

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/world/middleeast/20hiker.html