Nation Building

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that nation building is the process by which a nation is structured or constructed by utilizing the power of the state. The author points out that nation building can use either propaganda or publicity to promote the desired results, or it may use major infrastructure development, as in the case of post WWII Germany and Japan, to promote and foster harmony and stability in the political process, so that social and economic growth is achieved. The paper relates that, today after the conflict in Iraq, 'nation building' has been used in an entirely different context than post WWII; armed forces of mainly the United States are being used as an agent to ensure the transition to 'democracy' in the process of nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan.

From the Paper:

"In Japan, as stated earlier, the basic occupation authority was concentrated on one single nation, and indeed, one single individual, Douglas MacArthur. This meant that this person did not need to consult with other countries in his nation building activities, whereas in Germany, it was entirely different, and furthermore, the two most important international bodies for oversight and for consultation, namely the 'Far Eastern Commission', and the 'ACJ', had little or no impact on the entire process. Unilateralism also helped the United States in concentrating all its energies and resources in the overall reconstruction efforts and to expend less energy in trying to forge a consensus between the partners, as it happened in Germany."

More papers on Nation Building:

• Analytical Essay # 132245 : "Immigration Policy and Canadian Nation-Building"
• Research Paper # 102386 : "Immigration Policy and Canadian Nation-Building"
• Research Paper # 60827 : "Abbey National Building Society"

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