Journal: Idealism and Independence Day

In Chapter 3, by analyzing the film Independence Day, Cynthia Weber deconstructs the idealistic myth that “there is an international society.” This statement, derived from the studies of Charles Kegley, assumes that anarchy can be replaced by the collective cooperation of community, and that in a world where “anarchy is the permissive cause of war,” social networks within and beyond a state's borders are the surest route to international security (39). Through her discussion of the film, Weber determines that the theory “there is an international society” may not hold much weight, because, as in the film, all states within the international society do not always participate in making decisions for the greater good. This action is neither collective nor cooperative. In Independence Day, the US and its president operated as the sole orderer, making decisions for all of Mankind, not just for the safety of its own country. Weber claims that, in this instance, the US domestic society has been extended internationally because it is a superpower with the ability to serve as a hegemon to the world (55). Therefore, there is no “international society.”

Kegley's three images of political analysis are similar to Waltz's – they are located at the individual, state and international level. However, Kegley is not focused on the presence of anarchy at the international level (41). Instead, he sees the potential for conflict at all levels, and claims that the individual level is from where good ideas come. Good humans with good ideas can certainly breed a successful domestic society within a democracy, which can overflow into the international arena. However, not all states are democratic. As Weber explains, many nation-states are autocratic, and their rulers might not be “good” people. These dictatorial leaders ignore the good ideas of their good subjects, and therefore, anarchy is always possible in international relations (44).

The theory “there is an international society” is rooted in the fact that humans are social creatures who thrive on communication with one another. Idealism is founded upon the notion that humans are inherently good, and that they are willing to work cooperatively in order to achieve a common goal. Much attention is paid to the themes of communication and good intents in Independence Day. First of all, the importance of pure communication is stressed. The president represents corrupt communication, and it isn't until he is engaged in a telepathic connection with an alien that he determines their intents are ill and that he can make a decision to react against the intruders. He was unable to do so until then, because, like a true idealist, he thought of the aliens as inherently good and possibly capable of moral progression. When he does choose to “Nuke the bastards,” the signal is sent to military worldwide through Morse Code, one of the simplest, purest, most universal forms of communication available.

Weber's discussion of idealism leads her to, once again, point out the missing element from the myth she's deconstructing: fear (53). When analyzing the myth, “anarchy is the permissive cause of war,” Weber determines that fear is the one element missing from Waltz's work. Again, with the myth, “there is an international society,” Weber finds the need for fear in the equation. If an international society does exist, and states elect to act beyond their own self-interests to benefit the world, it exists because fear in an underlying factor. For example, when the British soldiers in Independence Day receive a Morse Code message from the US preparing them for a counter-offensive on the aliens, one says, “It's about bloody time” (54). Because they fear their demise, these men seem grateful for the US's efforts to protect the world. The film projects the US as the savior of the world, which isn't too far-fetched considering the hegemony our nation has created world-wide. However, this still does not support the theory of an international society because not all nations are represented in the retaliation. The US made the decision, the US gave the orders, and the US will get the credit. Fear allows the US to capitalize on the opportunity to save the world. Without it, the US would not be quite as welcome to use its power internationally. But when the world is in danger, the power with the most resources will certainly be welcomed to the table.

Work Cited
Weber, Cynthia.International Relations Theory: A Critical Introduction. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Routledge, 2005.