Abstract
This chapter interrogates the fantasy of nation/state congruency in twentieth-century thought, focusing on traditional post–WWII IR (International Relations) theory, showing how congruency is now intertwined with the knowledge of the ‘international’. The chapter has three main arguments: first, traditional IR theory construes the fantasy of nation/state congruency around the ‘nation-state’ couplet and as constitutive of the ‘international’. Second, however, traditional IR discourse does not see the ‘nation-state’ or nationalism as fait-accompli, neither historically nor normatively. Traditional IR theory, therefore, does not take the ‘nation-state’ as ontologically given. Third, the fantasy of congruency is now transposed onto the ‘international’, clearly seen through the theorisation of the anarchical international, the danger of (nuclear) war and/or the need for collaboration and institution building in order to prevent conflict and/or achieve peace.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
