Internationalism Versus Parochialism in the Era of Globalization: Can the EU Help the Search for Security?, Winter 2002

The purpose of this paper is to describe internationalism and parochialism and link the impact of both using the examples provided by the European Union and the Middle East in a comparative manner. Then the role of public opinion with regard to these two approaches will be examined. The paper will conclude by arguing that examples from other regions of the world suggest that states in the Middle East are more likely to develop a secure environment for themselves if they could encourage a "democratic culture" in domestic politics to emerge. In the short run there is, of course,  the risk that a parochial public opinion encouraged by populism will become vociferous but this can be  controlled by active involvement of the EU in supporting  democratic transition. The benefits of globalization in terms of greater democracy, rule of law and economic prosperity will be a powerful motivating factor for such a public opinion or constituencies to emerge.

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