This course aims at exposing students to new (and often deeply unexpected) dimensions of policybuilding by introducing them to the multi-dimensional and multi-scalar challenges framing the relationship between a “mainland” and the territories and populations living overseas and abroad. From one country to the other, these often-insular pieces of land can be referred to in very different ways such as “Outre-mer”, “overseas territories”, “outlying islands”, “special territories”, “constituent country”, “ultra-peripheral regions”, “dependent territories”, “special administrative regions”, “associated States”, “outer-most regions”, and so on. Citizens living on these territories detached from the mainland or simply abroad are also referred to in very diverse manners: “ultramarins”, “citoyens de l'étranger”, “overseas citizens”, “expatriates”, “citizens living abroad”, “diaspora”, and in many other ways either inherited from the colonization era or invented more recently in response to new societal identities and/or local political narratives. However, one key human geography feature connects all of these polities: remoteness from their national center of power – be it economic, political, industrial, administrative, legal, military or merely symbolic. Australia, Argentina, Denmark, France, India, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, the UK, the USA… in 2022, about 20 States hold sovereign rights and/or responsibilities of diverse nature over territories and societies located far away from their mainland, many of which being at the heart of global geopolitical hotspots. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, hundreds of islands located in key maritime areas are ultimately governed by decision-makers located afar and are therefore subject to power projection and policy dynamics that go far beyond the direct interests of the local populations. Therefore, nurturing and fostering a healthy relationship between a global power and its overseas territories and knowing how to value one's uninhabited islands can provide a significant geopolitical added value. On the opposite, an unhealthy relationship can turn this added value into a governance conundrum with significant consequences on the international scene. Likewise, despite having no sovereign overseas territory to defend, communities of expatriated nationals are also subject to increased attention from their homeland. Between corporate workers on long-term work visas, scientists, students, press correspondents, descendants of asylum seekers, and bi-national individuals, diasporas can also be leveraged for power projection purposes, using policy vehicles in segments of our societies as diverse as business, finance, research, technology, culture, the media, education, or non-profits. Nurturing and fostering the relationship between a global power and its diaspora is also an increasingly critical aspect of international relations. This seminar will explore all these benefits and challenges by mobilizing numerous schools of thought across the government and international relations literature (e.g., critical policy studies, neofunctionalism, idealism, postcolonialism, neoinstitutionalism…), offering students an opportunity to learn about these too often overlooked aspect of international relations and domestic policymaking. Using cases located primarily (but not exclusively) in the Indo-Pacific or French contexts, this course will provide students with analytical tools that can be applied in governance issues going much beyond the governance of overseas territories alone. Through lectures, guest testimonies, short weekly readings, and oral presentations, we'll discuss how overseas territories are governed, how their populations are represented on their national political scene, how they're leveraged for power projection purposes, and how diaspora communities can be used to support some foreign policy objectives.
Mikaa MERED
Séminaire
English
Spring 2022-2023
To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments (at least three grades):
1°) An oral presentation on a specific topic, to be chosen among a list of proposals unveiled on Session 1, to be delivered on sessions 10, 11 or 12 (each oral presentation will be conducted by a group of 2 persons, should take no less than 6 minutes and no more than 9 minutes, and will be followed by an open debate with the class) – 30% of the grade
2°) A written analysis of the geopolitical environment of one overseas territory (600 to 1000 words) – 50% of the grade
3°) Active participation to debate in class – 20% of the grade
At the end of the course, the student is expected to:
1°) Have gained a solid knowledge on the human and political geography of overseas territories, with a particular emphasis on those located in the Indo-Pacific region, and a broad understanding of the diversity of policy challenges at stake, especially regarding climate change.
2°) Be able to identify the actionable opportunities and the main socio-political and security risks faced by overseas territories in their regional environment.
3°) Be able to assess the actionable opportunities and the must-address threats and risks involving overseas territories and diasporas from a central government point of view.
4°) Be able to map out the institutional channels and policy segments that can be leveraged by overseas territories governments, officials, business leaders and activists seeking greater understanding and recognition from decision-makers and administrations at the national level.
5°) Be able to make a preliminary risk assessment and build an efficient presentation of it with actionable recommendations.
6°) Improve oral skills, through oral presentation and debates.