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THE CENTENARY of LATVIA's FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Global Thought and Latvia THE CENTENARY OF LATVIA’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS. FOREIGN AFFAIRS. OF LATVIA’S THE CENTENARY Supported by: “The Centenary of Latvia’s Foreign Aairs. Global Thought and Latvia” continues a series of publications on ideas, activities and THE CENTENARY OF personalities, and future scenarios in the SAEIMA OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA context of the centenary of Latvia’s statehood. LATVIA’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS. The aim of this book is to explain the impact of trends in global thought on Latvia. The authors The Latvian Institute of International Aairs is the oldest Global thought and Latvia look at the development of self-determination, Latvian think tank that specializes in foreign and security multilateralism, nationalism, authoritarianism, policy analysis. feminism, non-recognition policies, concepts surrounding the “end of history” and “clash of The LIIA was established in 1992 as non-profit association civilizations”, legalism and human rights, with with the aim of providing Latvia’s decision-makers, experts Edited by: a focus on the impact of these ideas on Latvia. and the wider public with analysis, recommendations and Andris Sprūds, information about international developments, regional Valters Ščerbinskis, Celebrations of the centennial anniversary of security issues and foreign policy strategies and choices. It the Latvian state aim to provide a fair, Kārlis Bukovskis respectful, proud and jubilant outlook on is an independent research institute that conducts research, Global thought and Latvia develops publications and organizes public lectures and Latvian statehood, its formation and context, conferences related to global aairs and Latvia’s as well as all the events and people that have international role and policies. been important to Latvia. Pils iela 21, Riga, Latvia | www.liia.lv 1 THE CENTENARY OF LATVIA’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS GLOBAL THOUGHT AND LATVIA 2 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA THE CENTENARY OF LATVIA’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS GLOBAL THOUGHT AND LATVIA “The Centenary of Latvia’s Foreign Affairs. Global Thought and Latvia” continues a series of publications on ideas, activities and personalities, and future scenarios in the context of the centenary of Latvia’s statehood. The aim of this book is to explain the impact of trends in global thought on Latvia. The authors look at the development of self-determination, multilateralism, nationalism, authoritarianism, feminism, non-recognition policies, concepts surrounding the “end of history” and “clash of civilizations”, legalism and human rights, with a focus on the impact of these ideas on Latvia. Authors: Gints Apals, Daina Bleiere, Kārlis Bukovskis, Edijs Bošs, Jordan T. Kuck, Ineta Lipša, Nils Muižnieks, Aldis Purs, Gunda Reire, Leons Taivāns, Andris Sprūds, Valters Ščerbinskis, Elizabete Vizgunova, Ineta Ziemele Scientific editors: Kārlis Bukovskis, Andris Sprūds, Valters Ščerbinskis This publication and associated public debates have been supported by the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. The authors are solely responsible for the content of individual articles. The opinions expressed by the authors should not be construed as representing those of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, project supporters, partners, or other government institutions or entities. Cover design: Mārtiņš Bērziņš Layout: Ieva Straujeviča Translation to English for selected articles: Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova English language editing: Tālis Saule Archdeacon ISBN 978-9934-567-47-6 © Authors, 2020 UDK 327(474.3) © Translations: Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, 2020 Ce565 © Cover design: Mārtiņš Bērziņš, 2020 © Layout: Ieva Straujeviča, 2020 © Latvian Institute of International Affairs, 2020 3 Contents Introduction VALTERS ŠČERBINSKIS, ANDRIS SPRŪDS, KĀRLIS BUKOVSKIS ..............................................................5 Self-determination and Latvia GINTS APALS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Multilateralism and Inter-war Latvia GUNDA REIRE .......................................................................................................................................................................34 Political Nationalism and Latvia ALDIS PURS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 50 The Blurring of Lines: Democracy, Vadonisms, and Latvia in Transnational Context JORDAN T. KUCK.................................................................................................................................................................66 Feminism and Latvia INETA LIPŠA, ELIZABETE VIZGUNOVA ..................................................................................................................85 A Non-Recognition Policy with Regards to the Occupation of Latvia INETA ZIEMELE .................................................................................................................................................................100 The “End of History” and Latvia DAINA BLEIERE ....................................................................................................................................................................117 The “Clash of Civilizations” and Latvia LEONS TAIVĀNS ................................................................................................................................................................ 136 Liberal Hawks, Realpolitikers and Legalists: a Typology of Foreign Policy Positions in Latvia’s Debate on the Iraq War of 2003 EDIJS BOŠS........................................................................................................................................................................... 153 The Influence of the Idea of Human Rights on Latvia NILS MUIŽNIEKS................................................................................................................................................................. 168 About the Authors ............................................................................................................................................181 4 Introduction VALTERS ŠČERBINSKIS, ANDRIS SPRŪDS, KĀRLIS BUKOVSKIS The Latvian state has entered its second century. Strengthening independence and statehood is an ongoing and challenging process, both internally and internationally. The success of previous publications on the centenary of Latvian foreign affairs has encouraged researchers at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and well-known experts to continue to reflect upon and evaluate creative and important aspects of Latvia’s foreign policy and diplomacy – both in history and today. This time we will look at the presence, influence and interaction of the world’s great ideas with and within Latvia. Although the presence of different concepts in Latvian politics sometimes seems less noticeable, academic interdisciplinary approaches can offer an interesting insight, providing an unusual point of view in an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities, advantages and disadvantages of Latvia’s foreign policy-making. At the same time, it is both instructive and encourages further research. It is likely to bring new insights and possibly stimulate new ideas, both in research and in practical foreign policy and diplomacy. This book reviews the impact of big ideas on Latvian statehood and diplomacy over several periods of time. The collection is introduced by Dr. Gints Apals’s essay on the principles of self-determination and its influence on the process of the formation of Latvia. The emergence of Latvia was largely due to the proclamation, popularity and influence of these principles after World War I. The author analyses this in more detail and offers explanations for the complex and ambiguous question of the legal basis for the formation of new states and their application to the case of Latvia. American historian Dr. Jordan T. Kuck explains the essence of his research through the application of transnational fascist theory to the era of authoritarianism, primarily to the regime of Kārlis Ulmanis. Transnational fascism is a relatively new concept that helps us to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of inter-war anti-democratic regimes, also allowing us to focus on foreign policy decision-making from an unconventional perspective. 5 Dr. Aldis Purs’s article speaks of the concept of nationalism and its interaction with inter-war Latvia. Nationalism is a highly complex concept, the interpretation of which is fundamental to the interpretation of the events of the 20th century. Various types of nationalism have had certain consequences in foreign policy and diplomacy, reinforcing states’ self-sufficiency, isolation and – sometimes – aggression as well. In the case of Latvia and the rest of the Baltic States, nationalism is at the core of nation-building and has largely laid the foundation for the countries’ continued existence. How far and what kind of influence did it have on Latvia’s domestic and foreign policy in the context of global developments? Purs gives an answer to this in his essay. The article by Dr. Gunda Reire highlights the importance of multilateralism in Latvia’s inter-war foreign policy-making. The article discusses the importance of multilateralism during that
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