'Civilizing' the Post-Soviet/Socialist Space: An English School Approach to State Socialization in Europe: The Cases of NATO and the Council of Europe
'Civilizing' the Post-Soviet/Socialist Space: An English School Approach to State Socialization in Europe: The Cases of NATO and the Council of Europe

Summary/Abstract: In international society, states recognize the need for collective standards of international conduct if international order is to be maintained. The global application of international norms and standards began during the nineteenth century. In this process, the standard of ‘civilization’ played an essential role in determining which states would join the expanding European society of states and which ones would not. Although the historical standard of ‘civilization’ fell into disrepute, standards of ‘civilized’ behavior continue to exist. Therefore, in an international society the socialization of an out-group state implies its acceptance of the rules, norms and practices that the international society considers to be ‘civilized’. This article investigates the evolution of the standard of ‘civilization’ and its relationship to the contemporary evolution of the idea of democracy and the policy of ‘democratic conditionality’. It examines how NATO and the Council of Europe have sought to ‘civilize’ former socialist counties and Soviet Republics by 'socializing' them into Western values and norms as they are related to liberal democracy.

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