DD101: CMA072014

Option 2C. Hammond

DD101: CMA 07 (Option 2)

• Examine and assess the claim that ‘what provides order in the international arena is

fear’ (Bromley, 2009, p. 426)..

Think about the title first…

• Examine and assess …• The claim:

• International order is created by fear

• What is it asking you to do?

• Dissect the question:

The United Nations Charter

• Established in San Francisco in 1945• In the wake of WWII (and also the 1st World

War)

Jürgen Habermas

Rationality & Discourse Ethics

Habermas: Basic Concepts

• Rational Argument• Freedom to express ideas• Consent• Pragmatics• Democracy

Habermas & Rationality

• 1) A belief in the fundamental process and human ability to ‘reason’

• 2) Rational discourse is established by the autonomy or democratic freedom of group members / citizens

• 3) Reason should be capable of evolving universal laws and norms via moral and political arenas.

Discourse Ethics & Pragmatics

Discourse Ethics & Pragmatics

• Discourse Ethics: ‘Rules’ • Habermas formulates the following

‘rules’ for establishing "Discourse Ethics," these are: – 1. Every subject with the competence to speak

and act is allowed to take part in a discourse

Discourse Ethics & Pragmatics

• 2a. Everyone is allowed to question any assertion. • 2b. Everyone is allowed to introduce an alternative

assertion into the discourse. • 2c. Everyone is allowed to express their attitudes,

desires, and needs. • 3. No speaker may be prevented, by internal or

external coercion, from exercising their rights as laid down in (1) and (2).

But what about ‘Power’?

• Warning!!• Irrationality …• Unpredictability• Violence• Power• Hatred

Georges Bataille

• The Big Toe …

Is order in the international arena created and established by fear?

• Important things to consider to assess this claim are:

• Is fear the only factor that establishes order?• What other mechanisms establish/enhance

order?• ‘Who’ threatens the parameters of

International order?• ‘Who’ decides how certain actions should be

challenged?