sovereignty and civilization narratives in conflict

From Merje Kuus: 'European Integration in Identity Narratives in Estonia: A Quest for Security.' Journal of Peace Reseach, vol. 39. no I, 2002, p. 91-2:

'Security is the key concept in both the integration and sovereignty narratives. International integration, particularly membership in the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is pursued as the ultimate expression and codification of Estonian identity and Estonian values, as well as a security guarantee for the preservation of Estonia's identity and independence. Security and identity are represented as Estonia's primary motives for integration; they are accorded higher priority than the anticipated economic benefits of the process. Yet the security threats invoked in the integration and sovereignty narratives contradict one another between as well as within these narratives. On one hand, Estonian identity is presented as a European or Western one, and similarities between Estonia and Western European countries are stressed. On the other hand, Estonian identity is presented in exclusively ethnic terms and linked to the territory of the nation state.'

Today, I also learned that Huntington's Clash of Civilization is the most cited academic text in Estonia. That said, I am late for my IR class.

Artistic Freedom?

While perusing the New York Times' Arts section yesterday, I was startled to find an article on the tension raised by a piece (pdf) written by American Jewish Committee executive director David A. Harris as the introduction for an AJC publication focused on the role of "Progressive" Jews (their quotes, not mine) in forwarding the "new anti-Semitism" (i.e., criticism of Israeli policy). I have tons to say about the actual content of the AJC's publication and the equating of criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism (the equivalent of saying that criticism of Mugabe's "land reform" in Zimbabwe is tantamount to racism), but a significant issue, in my eyes, is that this was published in the Arts section of the Times. I'm sorry, but I fail to see any connection whatsoever to the arts (the only tenuous thread I can think of is that Tony Kushner is among those called out in the publication as aiding and abetting anti-Semitism). Why wouldn't this be much better suited for the politics section?

Anyhow, I apologize for the non-Estonia-related post, but I guess it's relevant to ethnic democracy, right?