Nationalism and the Pursuit of National Interests Chapter

Nationalism and the Pursuit of National Interests

Chapter Inquiry Questions: • What is the relationship between nationalism and the pursuit of national interests? • In what ways do nations and nation-states pursue national interests?

Exploring National Interests What is the relationships between nationalism and the pursuit of national interests?

Nationalism and the Pursuit of National Interests • National interest is influenced by a nation’s understanding of nationalism and what is necessary for it to maintain its existence as a nation • Who decides what the interests of a nation and how to act upon them? • Does everyone have to agree? • Differentiate between Internationalist and Nationalist

Changing Views on National Interest • Just as people’s understanding for nationalism may differ, their opinions on what is in the national interest may also differ. • National interest is not static or unchanging. Events within a country can change people’s opinion about what is in the national interest. For example, what was the national interest for the wildfires that hit Fort Mc. Murray; it was Canada’s worst natural disaster or the floods in 2013?

Why do Nations Pursue National Interests? • A nation’s survival and security • A nation’s economic growth and power • The maintenance of the quality of life for the people in the nation

Strategies for Pursuing National Interests In what ways do nations and nation-states pursue national interests?

Approaches to the Pursuit of National Interest • Safeguarding the environment • Pursuing humanitarianism • Immigration policies • Economic development and solving labour needs • National security: safety from internal and external threats • Free trade • Expanding land base and access to resources