Papers by Israel Donumanasava
The Liberal International Order (LIO) is defined as an "open and rule-based international order" ... more The Liberal International Order (LIO) is defined as an "open and rule-based international order" that is "enshrined" in institutions such as the United Nations, the WTO, and other international institutions (Kundnani 2018), geared towards liberal principles and objectives. Based on the ideals of multilateralism it encompasses the liberal concepts of political and economic integration at the international level. It emphasizes open markets, multilateral institutions, liberal democracy, and is extensively headed by the United States (US) and its allies. On the basis of these parameters, the LIO can be considered Western in terms of its ideological foundation (liberalism) and capitalist by way of its economic system. Since World War I and II, and at the end of the Cold War, liberal powers such the US and the United Kingdom (along with other democratic states) have risen in influence and have had a primary role in shaping the world order that we know today. However, much of the current debate about the rules and norms of the LIO revolves around the issue of whether influence over the order was solely from the US and other Western countries or if the Global South had a hand in shaping. These rules and norms consist of integrating states economically and politically, institutionalism, multilateral cooperation, democracy, humanitarianism and liberal values of the free world. This paper discusses and examines whether such rules and norm were solely engineered by the US and other powerful Western states or if countries south of the economic-political border have an influence over it as well. It would also be prudent to maintain a focus on the period between the world wars and the early 21 st Century as this was a time when the world system began to make a more visible and felt change with the rise of the United Nations and the International Financial Institutions (IFIs). It is during this period (circa 1944-1990) where the US ascends to its hegemonic status as the world leader in the growing order. For seventy years the world has been dominated by this western world system and by virtue of this description alone, one can assume that this order's objectives, ideals and rubrics are mainly architected by the West. The US plays a central role here and her primacy in decision making over the order is quite evident: …the United States became the 'first citizen' of this order, providing hegemonic leadership-anchoring the alliances, stabilizing the world economy, fostering cooperation and championing 'free world' values (Ikenberry 2018a, p.7). With the establishment of multilateral and international organization, states began to integrate and assume membership of the system on which these institutions were built. 'Western elites see this order as a hugely positive force for promoting peace and prosperity around the globe' (Mearsheimer 2018), and it is in these goals that the West plays a key role in ensuring the strength and continuance of this system. From the period after the World Wars and the Cold War, the US grew exponentially in influence not only politically but economically as well. This coupled with having the world's largest and most powerful army allowed it and other powerful Western
This paper will look at the contemporary record, the role of regional institutions and frameworks... more This paper will look at the contemporary record, the role of regional institutions and frameworks, and how far Pacific interests have been helped and/or hindered by regional diplomacy for trade agendas. The aim of this essay is to analyze the impact and effectiveness of regional diplomacy on diplomatic outcomes in the area of trade in terms of PACER Plus to Pacific island states.
An aspect that had spurred by interest in the lectures was how liberalism as an ideology evolved ... more An aspect that had spurred by interest in the lectures was how liberalism as an ideology evolved from its classical form to its modern structure. I had clear knowledge that liberalism is a political ideology that has taken form and shape in most parts of the world. It is in fact the most dominant system of political logic that exists. Yet I was enlightened by the fact that liberalism has taken two distinct forms: classical liberalism (neo-liberalism) and modern liberalism. Classical liberals advocate for minimal government size, laissez faire, free market competition, capitalism and the freedom (or liberty) of individuals against the excessive power of government. This form of liberalism is closely associated with Adam Smith (1723-1790) an economist who " argued in The Wealth of Nations (1776) that markets are governed by an " invisible hand " and thus should be subject to minimal government interference " (Smith 2016). This is the foundation of classical liberalism. Strong advocates include the late Dame Margaret Thatcher (former PM of Britain) and Ronald Regan (former US President). On the other hand, modern liberalism has taken a rather refined and somewhat equality driven approach. Interestingly enough at first glance I thought it was a hybrid between liberalism and socialism as there was a definite existence of a welfare state. There are strong representations of social liberalism and economic management which are ideas from John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) and John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946), respectively (PL202 Lecture Notes). In this sense, modern liberals believe that an unfettered capitalist system is not conducive to development and growth of the collective population. There is a feature of social-liberal constructs within this widely accepted view. The government has to intervene or poverty, inequality, social and economic disparities will continue to exist and prevalence in society. Its can use taxes to redistribute income and subsidies to lessen the cost of living. These two ideologies although branching out from similar origins are very different from one another. They are often in competition with each other as they bear contradictive elements that oppose each other. Heywood defines a political ideology as a coherent set of ideas (logical beliefs) that provide a basis (justification or reason) for organized political action, regardless of whether the action is intended to preserve, modify or overthrow the existing system of power relationships (2007, p.45). In my own perspective on such a term, I saw it as a guideline that governments followed. Albeit there are time when such a guideline is subjected to the whims of those in power and thus influences the governance within a state. Heywood gives reference to the fact that certain ideologies favoured certain groups of people. Liberalism was for the rising middleclass, conservatism was for the nobles and traditionalists and so forth (2007, p .16). Liberalism took the middle of the political spectrum and thus was the median of the extremes. I often wonder if it incorporated the right and the left to form a sort of hybrid-best of both worlds. Capitalism plays a major role in this. The chapter by John Rawls creates for me an inquisitive endeavor into the idea that's being argued. Justice is in itself a topic that accompanies equality. Rawls argues that liberalism under one principle should encourage universal suffrage and civil liberties whilst through the other it encourages equal opportunities to access positions of authority (Rawls 2005, p.113). These two thoughts are seen as complementary. The injustice here is the inequality to fully
The nature versus nature debate has often shaped psychological perspectives on human development.... more The nature versus nature debate has often shaped psychological perspectives on human development. This essay will first of all create a platform for understanding this debate by taking into account theorists and perspectives that have contributed to the dichotomy of genetic heredity and the external environment. Secondly, a comparison is made in order to understand the validity of these two psychological perceptions and how it has contributed to human development. Definitions of these two observations are also used to create a more tentative understanding with regards to the issue being discussed. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is made on different ethnic groups especially between the Euro-western and Pacific oriented cultural identities. Examples include the i-Taukei and Maori comparison to Western values and beliefs. A discussion is also made around the stages of development and the various views that contribute towards evaluating such a development. Finally, there will be emphasis on the social and cultural constructs between different ethnicities with an added need for more tentative research on the agenda.
Drafts by Israel Donumanasava
International relations (IR) is likened to a complex system of interactions and relationships tha... more International relations (IR) is likened to a complex system of interactions and relationships that has shaped the world as we know it now. While studying IR, one must consider that it takes into account an extensive array of theories and approaches. A few arise from within the discipline itself; others have been brought in, entirely or partly, from subjects such as economics, psychology or sociology. Many concepts of IR are internally and externally disputed, and few scholars subscribe only to one or to the other. In spite of this diversity, a number of major schools of thought are distinguishable, separated principally by the aspects they highlight for example military influence, tangible interests or ideological stances. However theoretical these contesting ideas may be, there is little doubt that there is 'an inescapable link between the abstract world of theory and the real world of policy' (Walt 1998, p.29). Theories play a critical role in making sense of the large number of information that we are bombarded with daily. IR scholars in this regard have differing perspectives of the future of the world order. Their view points and arguments have to a great extent edified the world's own understanding of IR as an aspect of statecraft, diplomacy, and so forth. This paper discusses the predictions of the liberalist scholar Gilford John Ikenberry and why his analysis of IR in the past decade is convincing and accurate. It finds that the liberal school of thought as primarily averse to the philosophies of realism which favours the role of the state, national interests and military power in world politics. Liberals offer a rational strategy for "international peace, typically based on law, interdependence or democracy, and cooperation between states" (Owen 2019). Ikenberry provides an interesting take on the rise of China and the waning of American influence in the world. As an IR scholar, he delves into the structure of the liberal world order and points out its weaknesses, discusses it strengths and examines its continuity despite the growing realist agenda. Through his extensive understanding of American politics and foreign policy, he has written quite a number of academic literature on the role of the United States (US) in IR, China and Russia's growing influence, and the impact(s) of the Trump administration on US primacy in the international arena. In an essay to the periodical Foreign Affairs, Ikenberry describes what internationalism is after America. In it, he accurately states that "wealth and power are moving from the North and the West to the East and the South, and the old order dominated by the United States and Europe is giving way to one increasingly shared with non-Western rising states" (Ikenberry 2011). Though many scholars have come to the same conclusion, Ikenberry does not attribute this to the doom of the Liberal International Order (LIO) however he simply sees it as an evolution. The existing world order will survive as it still has relevance and Ikenberry and the Future of the Liberal World Order Israel D S11122190
The Southern Pacific remained a mystery to Europeans in the early 18th Century. To the natives of... more The Southern Pacific remained a mystery to Europeans in the early 18th Century. To the natives of this region, Europeans were seen with mixed reactions. The Pacific was in fact the last true unexplored frontier at the time. It was likened to the “filling in of the ends of the world map” when the people of Europe dared to venture deeper into the unknown region of the Pacific. So began a period in Oceanic history of a mingling and interaction of two very different civilisations. Such interactions had various impacts and reactions from both sides but this paper will focus on the reactions of the natives to the waves of European migrations. This is an interesting subject worthy of discussion as it sheds light on certain views that islanders had with the foreigners; had they come to enrich or plunder, build or destroy. This merits debate as it may create new perspectives on the agenda. Thus this essay will discuss the reactions of Pacific Islanders in regards to the three main categories of European expeditions namely in terms of religion (missionaries), commerce (traders) and the settlers.
The state is seen as an entity that envelopes all affairs within a sovereignty. It is a coercive ... more The state is seen as an entity that envelopes all affairs within a sovereignty. It is a coercive structure that controls and shapes the individual through a large number of institutions. These institutions include the government, education, the police force and so forth. The state is a has its origins in the 16th Century where in the west it was established to organise and manage the social, political, and economic life of society. In the Pacific, the state is seen as such but with more of a unique feature. The role it plays as a social and economic driver is most important as its active engagement in this role results in the development of the nation as a whole. Thus, this essay will hope to discuss the duties of the state as driver of social and economic aspects within the country. It will also further deliberate the challenges faced in light of such duties. The society that the paper will focus on is Fiji.
Globalisation is an ambiguous concept that is an integral part of the world that we live in. It i... more Globalisation is an ambiguous concept that is an integral part of the world that we live in. It is multi-faceted and whether it is defined in economic, political or socio-cultural terms; the concept itself is likened to a living organism that grows every second. Many have explained and deliberated the various aspects pertaining to the magnitude of the term that is globalisation, and one such person is Emile Durkheim. He developed what is now known as the Durkheimian Approach (from now on referred to as the Approach) that centres on his book Division of Labour (1893) as the key component in his discussion for a global society. It bears a sense of peculiarity as it creates a controversial position with classical sociological explanations of globalisation. As such this essay, will discuss three main ideas namely: solidarity, social change, and organisation studies based on the Durkheimian Approach and ideas cited from Durkheim’s book: Division (the Division of Labour). It will further seek to relate how such ideas under this approach works in my society.
The realm of global politics is one that is complex and intricate which is portrayed in the inter... more The realm of global politics is one that is complex and intricate which is portrayed in the interests of the parties involved. Realism and liberalism are two perspectives that attempt to make sense of these interests with regards to international relations as a system of interaction amongst sovereign nations states specifically. A tool that is used as a channel of such a system is diplomacy. It has been a means of communicating interests amongst leaders since civilization immemorial. The development of traditional diplomacy to the new form of modern diplomatic relations has seen an evolution of certain aspects such as the focus on high politics being replaced by an emphasis on low politics. But all in all, the issues that we face today requires skilful, credible and insightful diplomacy as the diplomatic realm is filled with conflicting interests that more often than not is a hindrance to achieving one's goal. Small developing states (SDS) do not have the political clout, economic viability or access to technical support as other larger nations have. This puts individual SDS at a disadvantage that can downplay certain concerns that are unique to small developing nations but whose impacts are not restricted to such states. Key issues facing SDS includes climate change, economic integration, trade agreements and multilateral cooperation to name a few. But in order to successfully and effectively garner international recognition and support, SDSs need to strategize and form a collective front. As such, this essay will discuss the background history and progress of small developing state diplomacy, the challenges faced and key issues that affect them. Emphasis will also be placed on the diplomatic strategies and prospects of SDS diplomacy in the future. There will be pertinent examples from the Pacific conveying the challenges facing small state diplomacy and how it can be overcome.
Political stability lays the corner stone for development as it is a fundamental aspect of nation... more Political stability lays the corner stone for development as it is a fundamental aspect of national strength and progress. However, when such stability is recurrently challenged and undermined, it defeats the purpose of establishing a sound and viable government that brings about collective development. A coup is indicatory of such instability. This paper will discuss how Fiji’s history of political instability has infringed upon her development. Such a discussion will be done in relation to the Modernization Theory. The scope of analysis of such a problem will take into account its causes, its prevalence, those who are affected by it and whether the development theory being used creates a framework for understanding the problem in its entirety.
Political ideologies have always shaped the political arena whether it scopes a national or inter... more Political ideologies have always shaped the political arena whether it scopes a national or international platform. Socialism, a left-wing ideology, has played a significant role in characterizing political thought and ideas the world over. From Russia to China and from Cuba to New Caledonia, collectivism appealed to the masses because it sought to transform the status quo not only for more equality but more importantly greater equity. Words that can be used interchangeably with socialism include collectivism, communalism, Marxism, communism and so forth. The fundamental aspect of these various synonyms is the precedence of “the community” and that its needs and priority is held above “the individual”. There is a need to identify how and why such an ideology acquired prominence in the early 1900s onwards, what economic and social conditions fostered its emergence. Also, bearing this in mind, can socialism be reinvented so that it not only gains prominence but widespread appeal in the world today? One can also evaluate its potential in the Pacific and how some of its features are relatable to Pacific lifestyles and norms like community-centered needs, collective thinking and so forth. This is not to say that Pacific culture absolutely embodies socialism but rather that it has potential in this sense to develop in this context. Thus, this paper will discuss socialism with regards to its emergence in the 1900s, its prominence then and its prospective appeal today. Special emphasis will also be on how this ideology can be contextualized to suit the economic and social climate in the South Pacific. This will also convey why such an ideology has been quite influential on my view on politics.
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Papers by Israel Donumanasava
Drafts by Israel Donumanasava