International Affairs and Human Needs

Motivations for Nations and Nation-States in International Affairs

• Needs are essential for survival, including food, water, shelter, and health.
• Wants are desires, not necessary for survival, like a cell phone or a tattoo.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs

• Psychologist Abraham Maslow studied human needs, observing a pattern.
• Everyone prioritizes needs in a specific order of importance.
• Maslow's hierarchy, influenced by the Siksika people near Calgary, is a pyramid showing needs, from basic survival needs (like food and shelter) to self-actualization (personal growth).

Needs and Motives of Successful Nation-States

• Successful nation-states, particularly democratic ones, strive for:
  • Economic stability
  • Peace and security
  • Self-determination
  • Humanitarianism

Economic Stability

• Nations seek ways to achieve economic stability, often through:
  • Training skilled apprentices in trades.
  • Supporting exports to boost employment and demand for goods and services.

Peace and Security

• Safety and security are crucial human needs.
• Nation-states protect their citizens, through laws, police forces, and rules.
• International alliances, like NATO and NORAD, are formed to protect against conflict.

Self-Determination

• Nations and nation-states are motivated to control their future.
• Canadians, for example, have achieved full sovereignty, governing themselves.
• Self-determination can also involve smaller groups wanting control over issues within a larger state.

Humanitarianism

• People are motivated to help others.
• Nation-states are often motivated to help, especially in times of crisis (like natural disasters, health issues, war, etc.).
• International humanitarian aid often involves sending supplies, humanitarian workers, and emergency teams.

Isolationism

• True isolationism is staying completely out of world affairs and having no dealings with other countries.
• Isolationism is rare in the modern world. Often a nation may isolate itself with respect to one issue but not elsewhere.

Unilateralism

• Countries may act independently of other countries in response to world events.
• Unilateralism was evident in historical events such as the Cold War arms race.

Bilateralism

• Agreements made between two countries that share an interest or a need.
• In one example Canada and the United States worked to solve the acid rain issue.

Supranationalism

• Nations agree to go along with decisions made by an international organization.
• Supranational organizations grant outside bodies the authority to create rules and make some decisions.
• The European Union is an example of a political and economic supranational union.

Multilateralism

• Multiple countries cooperate to resolve an issue of common concern.
• Multilateralism is a favored strategy for middle powers.
• An example of multilateralism is how various nations are involved in the response to a major international crisis like COVID-19.

Supranationalism vs. Multilateralism

• Supranationalism involves ceding some sovereignty to a bigger governing body.
• Multilateralism involves countries working together without sacrificing full control over decisions.

The World Health Organization (WHO)

• Formed by the United Nations in 1948 to tackle global health issues.
• Contagious diseases, like SARS, spread easily, especially in the modern age.

Right to Play

• An international NGO in Canada, dedicated to improving the lives of children.
• Its work focuses on giving children the opportunities they need to thrive.
• Right to Play uses games and sports to tackle issues like landmines, HIV/AIDS, and healthy living.

The Arctic Council

• Formed in 1996, it includes countries with Arctic territory.
• Promoting sustainable development, monitoring climate change effects, and protecting the Arctic environment are key priorities.

Internationalism's Benefits

• Shared responsibility for world affairs benefits everyone by improving security and prosperity.

Internationalism, Peace, and Security

• The League of Nations failed in its goal of keeping peace; the United Nations was formed as a successor.
• The UN provides a forum for discussing international disputes and problems.

Internationalism and Economic Stability

• The UN created institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help countries after World War II.
• These institutions provide financial and technical assistance.

Internationalism and Self-Determination

• The UN acknowledged the rights of Indigenous peoples to self-determination. .

Internationalism and Humanitarianism

• International organizations have responded to major crises like the tsunami of 2004.
• Millions of people have been helped by international effort during crises.