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The Web of National Interests

Analyze a situation involving the pursuit of national self-determination to identify the key stakeholders, the range of interests and the underlying issues at the heart of the conflict.


Outcomes References Related Resources

Suggested Activities

Students examine the conflicting interests in the pursuit of national self-determination by identifying the key stakeholders, the range of interests and the underlying issues in the conflict.

Define key terms
Explain to students that the thoughtful analysis of any conflict requires identifying the different people involved, how they may be affected and the underlying issues behind the conflict. Introduce the following terms using a simple situation; e.g., Parents are upset with their child's report card.

Stakeholders:

Who are the individuals or groups that are or may be affected by the situation; e.g., the student, parents, siblings, teachers, prospective employers, society in general?

Interests:

What basic values may be affected positively or negatively, depending on the outcome of the situation; e.g., self-esteem, pride, success at school, freedom, success in later life, financial success, career satisfaction?

Underlying issues:

What are the contested matters or disagreements that lie at the heart of the situation; e.g., Who shares responsibility for this result—the student,  peers, parents, teachers, education officials? Should parents intervene when their child's results are unsatisfactory? Who decides what qualifies as "satisfactory" results? Do students have an obligation to themselves, their families and society to try their best? Should the state support people who fail to achieve satisfactory results in school?


Invite students to consider the value of identifying these factors in helping to understand a situation.
For detailed instructions in teaching and assessing the analysis of stakeholder interests, see Analyzing a Situation (Modelling the Tools).

Investigate scenarios
Invite students to consider a more fully developed scenario; e.g., two friends try to convince their parents to let them go to a movie; teens attempt to convince their parents to allow them to attend a party rather than a family function; a school club or team asks the student council for a significant amount of money. Provide a more elaborated description of an everyday situation described in a local newspaper or the one found in Analyzing a Situation (Modelling the Tools). Ask students to note the relevant facts from the description, and use this information to identify the key stakeholders, competing interests and underlying issues. Encourage students to work in groups to complete a chart, such as the following:

Analyzing a Situation

Important Facts

Key Stakeholders

Stakeholders' Interests
(obvious or implied)

 

 

 

 

Underlying Issues

 

 


Discuss criteria for key stakeholder
To assist in identifying the key stakeholders, invite students to consider the following criteria:

  • those for whom the situation has noticeable impact
  • those for whom the results will have lasting effect
  • others who may not be directly affected but have a significant responsibility in the situation; e.g., government officials who establish the rules.

Pose resolutions to the issue
Once students identify the key stakeholders, their interests and several underlying issues, ask them to consider possible resolutions to the issue. Invite students to consider the following criteria for an effective resolution:

  • considers the legitimate interests of all primary stakeholders
  • strives for a win–win situation
  • imposes no undue hardship on those involved.

Invite student groups to share their proposed resolutions with the class. Encourage the class to critique the proposed resolutions considering the criteria outlined above.

Analyze national situations
Invite student groups to research an assigned situation involving the pursuit of self-determination by a group in Canada or elsewhere in the world. Possible events include the following:

  • successor state (prescribed example for 20-1)
  • decolonization (prescribed example for 20-1)
  • Québécois nationalism and sovereignty movement
  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit self-government
  • contemporary examples of the pursuit of national self-determination; e.g., Palestinians, Tamils, Tibetans.

Invite students to record their findings on a chart, such as the one above.

Share and revise findings
Invite each group to share its findings about the key stakeholders, interests and underlying issues. Encourage peer feedback and invite students to speculate on effective resolutions of the issues. Throughout the discussion, highlight the complex, multi-perspective dimension of even seemingly straightforward conflicts.

Last updated: May 30, 2008 | (Revision History)
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