11.15: Discussion Questions
- Page ID
- 293173
This page is a draft and is under active development.
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Given that North America comprises federal states that are increasingly integrated across national boundaries, could regional affiliations between sub-state actors such as Canadian Provinces and American States create new interests and identities that could overcome national identities and ideologies in America and Canada?
- The author has asserted that the most reasonable assumption is that ideological challenges to the globalized world order will remain secondary to states interest in keeping the current system. Do you agree? If not, why?
- This article has cited 2 examples of unforeseen changes to international politics that have occurred since the current system came to be. Can you think of potential changes that might occur that would challenge the current system? What kinds of changes of events might they be?
- The UK has left the European Union in a decision known as “Brexit.” This contravenes the general trend of states engaging in a deeper and broader web of bilateral and multilateral agreements. Do you think the UK’s quest for sovereignty on its own terms will succeed? Do you think the UK's Brexit is the precursor to other states abandoning the current form of globalization?
- The current global system was broadly established by American economic and military power and based on an American interpretation of liberalism. If the Unites States declines sufficiently in power, or if the United States becomes an illiberal state, will that change the nature of globalization and the international system? How might it affect future ideological developments?
Attribution
John Wright, "Concluding Remarks: Ideology in the Globalized Future" CC BY-NC 4.0
AI generated
Based on the provided source, here are five discussion questions designed to explore the key concepts of ideology, globalization, and the future of the international system:
- The Tension Between Globalization and Sovereignty: The source identifies states as the "highest order of sovereign agency," yet notes that globalization creates a "complex web" of interactions that often bypass state control. In an era where multinational corporations can move capital freely and information technology allows for unmediated global communication, to what extent do states truly retain their ultimate power of sovereignty?.
- Challenging the "End of History": Francis Fukuyama’s 1989 "End of History" theory predicted the permanent triumph of liberal democracy. However, the source highlights China as a successful "nationalist, illiberal state" that has achieved economic growth without political liberalization. Does China’s model prove that capitalism and democracy are not mutually dependent, and what does this imply for the future of liberal internationalism?.
- The Impact of the IT Revolution on Political Power: The information technology revolution has changed the relationship between the state and its citizens by removing the state's role as a "trusted gatekeeper" of information. How has the rise of "fake news," big data, and direct populism through social media affected the ability of individuals to form cohesive ideological worldviews?.
- Neoliberalism and Domestic Polarization: The source suggests that the shift toward "neoliberalism"—prioritizing economic liberty, deregulation, and smaller government—has led to increased partisanship and job displacement in Western democracies. How has the "off-shoring" of industrial production and the resulting wealth inequality fueled the rise of populist movements like Trumpism and Brexit?.
- Stability vs. Democracy in the Future Order: The conclusion states that the international system now values "global political stability and trade" over the promotion of democracy. If international cooperation is increasingly "divorced from international liberalism," what are the long-term consequences for global human rights and the survival of post-Enlightenment liberal values?