{"id":49,"date":"2019-08-09T21:09:41","date_gmt":"2019-08-10T01:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/?page_id=49"},"modified":"2019-09-02T12:33:52","modified_gmt":"2019-09-02T16:33:52","slug":"modernity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/modernity\/","title":{"rendered":"Modern Nation-State"},"content":{"rendered":"

WORLD POLITICS: PART I<\/strong><\/p>\n

We begin!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In this first section of our course, I shall identify the defining aspects of the Modern Nation-State<\/strong><\/em>. I shall also outline the characteristics of the particular expression of this state that we know best:\u00a0Liberal Democracy<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0I will draw a \u00a0connection between two perspectives we all share in common: \u00a0\u201cmodernity\u201d and \u201cliberalism.\u201d At this early point in the semester, we will deal with several abstract concepts.\u00a0 In the coming weeks, these abstractions will become real to you when we consider the origins and evolution of the liberal nation-state.<\/p>\n

My personal guarantee: \u00a0By the end of this course, you will see how my abstractions fit together into one neat and tidy, dynamic story. \u00a0First, we need to agree about the meaning of the terms we use.<\/p>\n


\n1. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday,\u00a0 August 28<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on the evolution of political institutions: The making of the\u00a0Modern Nation-State<\/strong>\u00a0and the indeterminate nature of human history<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>: The\u00a0Modern Nation-State<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0is distinguished by its capacity to bring together different peoples and\u00a0contending identities. \u00a0This state form represents a novel way of organizing human beings. \u00a0To be clear, not all states are\u00a0Nation-States<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0And, not all peoples want to live together.\u00a0 Just look at the disastrous consequences of our experiments in nation-building in Afghanistan and Iraq!<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 Watch the video below and reflect upon the issue of historical change. \u00a0Also, look ahead to your Friday discussion section.<\/p>\n

The nature of historical change as seen by a paleontologist<\/em>.\u00a0 Stephen Jay Gould\u00a0talks about the approach to studying fundamental change that I find totally convincing\u2014the theory of evolution.\u00a0 \"\"Watch at least the first 6 minutes of this stimulating video:\u00a0LISTEN<\/a>\u00a0 As you listen to Gould, ask yourself how his arguments about both human evolution, \u201cpunctuated equilibrium\u201d (what does this concept mean?), and the extinction of dinosaurs can be applied to the evolution of political ideas and institutions.<\/p>\n

2.DISCUSSION SECTION, Friday, August 30\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Important information about a scheduling change<\/span>: This week, Hannah Early Bagdanov’s sections (POLS 12400-01 [17490]) and POLS 12400-03 [17491]) will meet at the regular times on Friday. Since Sam Piccolo will be at a professional conference (along with me) on Friday, his sections (POLS 12400-02 [15092] \u00a0and POLS 12400-04 [15090]) will meet on an exceptional basis on Monday, September 2 (at 5:00-6:00 pm in Jenkins Nanovic Halls B052 and on Tuesday, September 3 (at\u00a0 6:45-7:45 pm, also in Jenkins Nanovic Halls B052. Feel free to come to either meeting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both<\/strong> Hannah’s and Sam’s sections will return to the regular schedule next Friday, September 6.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now it’s time to begin reading!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here is your discussion theme:\u00a0 “What does it mean to be a real American?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

How do we decide who\u00a0belongs\u00a0<\/em>in the United States? How do we decide who does not? Assuming you are an American citizen, how did you acquire this title?\u00a0<\/em>Should every American do more to reasonably be called a citizen? If so, what?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Trigger Warning<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0Liberals!<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Many of these readings come from conservative sites and\/or conservative writers:<\/p>\n

Primary Reading:\u00a0 Samuel Huntington, \u201cThe Hispanic Challenge\u201d (Foreign Policy):\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Huntington was a preeminent political scientist. \u00a0Note his incredible prediction on p. 14.<\/p>\n

Emma Lazarus, \u201cThe New Colossus,\u201d a plaque on America\u2019s Statue of Liberty:\u00a0\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Edward Hudgins, \u201cWhat is an American?\u201d (the libertarian Cato Institute) PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAlan Dershowitz, “Birthright Citizenship is Bizarre” (the Alt-Right Breitbart News)\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Christopher Manion (PhD, Political Science, Notre Dame), \u201cThe Catholic Bishops and Immigration Reform\u201d (the traditionalist Catholic magazine, Crisis<\/em>): PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

What is an American Car?\u00a0READ<\/a>\u00a0 Why am I asking you to read this article?<\/p>\n

Consider this policy:\u00a0 “Israeli Law declares the country the \u2018nation state of the Jewish people’,\u201d New York Times<\/em>, July 18, 2018:\u00a0\u00a0READ AND PRINT<\/a> Does this policy make Israel more or less of a nation-state?<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/strong><\/em>: Write a\u00a0one-paragraph<\/em> (no more!) response to the following question:\u00a0 “In your opinion, what is the single, most important requirement for being a ‘true American’.\u201d \u00a0You may only choose one requirement. \u00a0The point of your paragraph is to persuade the reader why it is the single, most important factor.<\/p>\n

Your paragraph should be typed and double-spaced (12 point).<\/p>\n

Your TAs will tell you how and when to turn in this and future paragraphs.<\/p>\n

3. LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, September 2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on what it means for citizens of the United States to live\u00a0in\u00a0modern times<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>: \u00a0We are all\u00a0Modern<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0By this statement, I mean that we share conceptions of truth and ideas about how to organize our lives which differ fundamentally from those held by other societies in the world.<\/p>\n

Jen Christensen, \u201cThe Most Accurate Clock in the World is Redefining the Second\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a> What can a mechanical clock tell you about modern society?<\/p>\n

Oprah Winfrey on pursuing the truth:\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Alan Burdick, “Some Good News, and a Hard Truth about Science,” New York Times<\/em>, November 18, 2018 READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Until recently, the publication of Adolph Hitler’s Mein Kampf<\/em> was forbidden in Germany. Nonetheless, should we prevent the distribution of any book? READ<\/a><\/p>\n

An essential part of being modern is agreement on facts. \u00a0As a result of our capacity to reason, we pursue factual knowledge and build theories by using the scientific method (even though we don\u2019t always recognize that this is what we are doing).\u00a0 The acceptance of a factual claim (e.g., a heliocentric model of our solar system) does not prevent us from holding a religious faith (e.g., the existence of God).\u00a0 The believer\u2019s faith in God may be just as true as factual knowledge.\u00a0 Throughout much of its history, the Catholic Church has maintained that there is no contradiction between the acceptance of factual knowledge (reason) and faith\u2014these truth claims are simply different forms of knowing.<\/p>\n


\n4. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, September 4\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Reflections on a political invention, the\u00a0Liberal Nation-state<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0Liberalism<\/strong>\u00a0is a specific way in which human beings have organized their relations in modern times. However, it is not the only expression of modern politics. As we shall see later,\u00a0Fascism<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Leninism\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>are also forms of modern politics.<\/p>\n

Abraham Lincoln invents the liberal nation-state:\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0 We are all\u00a0Liberals<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 (Sorry, Steve Bannon, but it\u2019s true.)\"\" \u00a0However, this is no cause for alarm for political conservatives.\u00a0 In making this claim, I do not mean that we are \u201cliberals\u201d in terms of our political affiliation.\u00a0 Rather, I am referring to classical\u00a0Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>, a conception of political order that was invented\u2013not<\/em>\u00a0discovered\u2013by people\u00a0 like Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 Read Chapter II, \u201cOn the Liberty of Thought and Discussion,\u201d in John Stuart Mill, On Liberty\u00a0<\/em>(1869): \u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Then, listen to musician Frank Zappa talk about freedom of speech\u00a0HERE<\/a>\u00a0 Do you agree with Mr. Zappa?\u00a0 If not, where do we draw the line between legitimate and illegitimate free speech in a Liberal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0society?\u00a0 Or should there be a dividing line at all?<\/p>\n

The Nazis march on Charlottesville in 2017.\u00a0 Consider these contrasting views on free speech:<\/p>\n

Anthony Romero, ACLU Executive Director, \u201cEquality, Justice and the First Amendment\u201d\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

K-Sue Park, \u201cThe ACLU needs to rethink Free Speech\u201d\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Not at all a new issue: \u201cSwastika war\u2019 in Skokie\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. DISCUSSION SECTION:\u00a0 Friday, September 6\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

American Democracy in Crisis: Part II\u00a0 Should there be a limit to the exercise of free speech in a democracy?<\/p>\n

One-Paragraph Assignment<\/em>: \u00a0Is there something about the exercise of free speech by Nazis that makes it deplorable and intolerable in a democracy, whereas anti-Nazi protest is defensible?<\/p>\n

For this assignment, I do not want you to focus on what steps should be taken to prevent the exercise of free speech from threatening public order. That is a question of policy.\u00a0 Reasonable people can differ about how one should prevent violence.\u00a0 Rather, please think about the broader question:\u00a0 What kinds of speech are acceptable\u2013or unacceptable\u2013in a free, liberal-democratic society? Or should all forms of speech be allowed?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NOTE:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Please do not\u00a0use electronic devices of any kind during our class, including laptops, cell phones, tablets, tape recorders, FBI trap-and-trace technology or any other personal digital device.\u00a0 My classroom is a tweet-free zone!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WORLD POLITICS: PART I We begin! In this first section of our course, I shall identify the defining aspects of the Modern Nation-State. I shall also outline the characteristics of the particular expression of this state that we know best:\u00a0Liberal Democracy.\u00a0\u00a0I will draw a \u00a0connection between two perspectives we all share in common: \u00a0\u201cmodernity\u201d and … Continue reading “Modern Nation-State”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-49","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":473,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49\/revisions\/473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}