Political Economy Workshop (Gov 3007)

Presentations given by Michael Gill and Sirus Dehdari Abstract for "Dimensions of Diplomacy: What the Wikileaks Cables can tell us about Information and Privacy in International Relations" We consider the role of information in international relations—a key concept in ‘ratio- nalist’ models of interstate bargaining—from a unique empirical perspective. Noting that little systematic observational data exists regarding the contemporary private be- liefs and private actions of state actors, we analyze one hundred and sixty thousand United States diplomatic cables from the Wikileaks organization for the period 2005 to 2010 to speak to several aspects of recent theoretical work in the area. In this prelim- inary analysis, we show that diplomatic secrecy consists of two distinct ‘dimensions’: substantive and procedural. The former deals with secrets per se, the publication of which would actively damage U.S. interests, especially in terms of revealing the resolve or capabilities of the state. Procedural secrecy, meanwhile, deals with the diplomatic norm of confidentiality in meetings—regardless of their substantive content. We relate these two dimensions of diplomacy to different concepts of secrecy in the theoretical IR literature, and demonstrate that both play an important role in dictating the classifi- cation decisions of the U.S. State department. In uncovering these substantive points, our paper presents new methodological tools of general interest to scholars in the field. Abstract for "Annexation, Assimilation, and National Identity – the curious case of Alsace-Lorraine" We study how the national identity of citizens living in border regions is affected by annexation and assimilation policies, and the ensuing consequences. Using a Geographical Regression Discontinuity Design, comparing Moselle and Alsace -- annexed by Germany in 1871 and re-annexed by France in 1919 -- to parts of Alsace-Lorraine that were only annexed by France between the mid-17th and mid-18th century, we find that the support for the European Union is significantly higher in the part that was annexed by the German Empire. Historical evidence suggests that this higher support for a supranational political entity is due to alienation of the citizens caused by both German and French assimilation processes and politics. The lack of an autonomist movement compared to other European border regions can be traced back to the specific historical relation of autonomist parties to Germany in WW2, and the long term successful schooling and assimilation policies of the French central government.