One state-one nation: the naturalisation of nation–state congruency in IR theory

This paper suggests that the notion of nation–state congruency has become a ‘leitmotif’ in International Relations (IR) theory, especially since the end of the Cold War. Congruent states are often constructed as the precursor of liberal democracy, peace, and modernity, while security in particular i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of international relations and development 2013-10, Vol.16 (4), p.514-538
Main Author: Mandelbaum, Moran M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Area Studies
Bias
Cold War
Democracy
Development Studies
Discursive Practices
Genealogy
International Relations
International relations theory
Liberal democracy
Modernity
Nation state
National identity
Nationalism
Political Science and International Relations
Political Science and International Studies
Politics
Post Cold War Period
Power
Security
Social sciences
State
Studies
Theory
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Summary:This paper suggests that the notion of nation–state congruency has become a ‘leitmotif’ in International Relations (IR) theory, especially since the end of the Cold War. Congruent states are often constructed as the precursor of liberal democracy, peace, and modernity, while security in particular is discursively intertwined with nation–state congruency. This paper asks: how has this congruency discourse become so embedded in IR theory and, consequently, what can we learn about the nexus between IR and the states/international system? These questions are of a ‘how-possible’ and critical nature that engage with the power dynamics and thus the effects that emerge from this ‘congruency bias’. To answer these, I deploy the ‘discursive practices approach’ and show the various practices/strategies through which congruency is constituted and established, naturalised and legitimated. Finally, I conclude by proposing to inquire genealogically into the conditions of emergence of nation–state congruency in IR and modernity.
ISSN:1408-6980
1581-1980
DOI:10.1057/jird.2012.22