CPSA/ISA-Canada section on International Relations

C05(b) - Populism, Nationalism and the State

Date: May 30 | Time: 01:30pm to 03:00pm | Location: Classroom - CL 312 Room ID:15754

Chair/Président/Présidente : Kim-Lee Tuxhorn (University of Calgary)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Thomas Hughes (Queen's University)

The Euromaidan: A Social Movement Towards Ontologically Securing a Unified and Salient Civic Ukrainian National Identity: Marnie Howlett (London School of Economics)
Abstract: This paper seeks to understand the role of nationality in the social construction of a group’s identity in light of the historical and ongoing contestation of Ukrainian nationalism. In line with literature on nationalism and belonging to a nation, the paper suggests that Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, or Euromaidan movement of 2013-14, redefined Ukrainian nationalism through a bottom-up process of uniting people for the common civic cause of distinctly opposing the Russian state’s involvement in Ukrainian politics. Building on the position that identities are discursive concomitants of the nation, this paper posits that the new understanding of the Ukrainian nation that emerged during the movement served to reflexively (re)construct the associated national identity; ‘Ukrainian’ came to be understood based on an individual’s self-identification rather than limited solely to culture and ethnicity. By examining the transformation of Ukrainian nationalism during the Euromaidan, then, this paper demonstrates how the incorporation of civic dimensions helped to consolidate a more appropriate conception of the Ukrainian national collective’s identity for the current politico-social circumstances; the largely ethno-cultural Ukrainian identity was incapable of providing the resources necessary post-independence to ensure a political collective sense of membership within the Ukrainian state. While the central argument moving forward is that the Euromaidan movement of 2013-14 helped to ontologically ‘secure’ a salient civic Ukrainian national identity, it remains uncertain whether the unity established on the Maidan will endure, and if so, for how long. Keywords: nationalism; Ukraine; Euromaidan; identity; ontological security

Harnessing History: Ontological Security, Re-Stalinization and the Securitization of Societal Identity in Russia: Tanya Narozhna (University of Winnipeg)
Abstract: Drawing on the concept of ontological security, this paper examines the implications of the politics of historical memory and the securitization of societal identity in contemporary Russia. Initially propelled by Putin's regime to provide a 'protective cocoon' against growing existential anxiety in Russian society, the politics of historical memory is rooted in the failure to get hold of the past Soviet atrocities, both cognitively and emotionally. In an attempt to set ontological parameters of collective self-identity, Putin's regime placed history, identity and traditions under repressive state control, framing it as a matter of national security. Repressive memory politics severely limited public debate, mobilized nationalist forces, and led to the securitization of societal identity. I argue that the repressive memory politics centered on re-Stalinization and the securitization of societal identity played crucial role in reformatting Russia's relations with various others - be they internal others, designated as the 'fifth column', 'national traitors', 'enemies of the people', 'Western spies', or external others, firmly identified with the West in general and the US, in particular.

The Political Economy of Donald J Trump: Jasmin Habib (University of Waterloo), Michael Howard (University of Waterloo)
Abstract: The most significant proposal in Donald Trump’s program is a restructuring of the prevailing international political economy. Establishing American isolationism is not the objective as is sometimes claimed by critics. Rather, institutions and policies are to be restructured into transactional forms. American hegemony is to be retained, but paired back in favour of a more specialized set of engagements. Each component of the present international order is to be subjected to a cost benefit calculus framed by a populist nationalism, and then reengineered to support an acceleration of American economic growth and higher employment levels. Complementary changes in domestic social and economic policies are envisaged to buttress these effects. And, together, they are supposed to reverse the plight of those Americans who have lost out during the era of neoliberalisation and globalization operative since the late 1970s. However, the reality is likely to diverge significantly from the promise. Specifics as to the content of the new political economy are sparse, and those that have emerged appear to be ill-thought out. Trump has dealt in generalities and slogans for the most part and has omitted to constitute a cohesive team that can implement a coherent program of action. Thus, a serious failure to realize ambitions is the most probable outcome. Nonetheless, the populist base is unlikely to wither away with Trump. The immiserating forces that act on it are very powerful and more able political leaders w