NEWS BULLETIN of the INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION - Vol. 9 - No. 8 - An Appeal for Confidence

Sep 21, 2026

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News Bulletin of the Institute of International Education (Vol. 9, No. 8, May 1934) presents a written appeal emphasizing why young people in dictatorship countries show intense enthusiasm and willingness for self-sacrifice, linking it to propaganda, education, and post-war disappointment with democratic prospects. It contrasts the limited martial spirit and cynicism toward democracy among youth in France, England, and the United States with the perceived social and civic purpose of democratic life. The issue also introduces a discussion on teaching “International Relations,” outlining educational functions from primary schooling to graduate study.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

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AN APPEAL FOR CONFIDENCE

THE TEACHING OF "INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS"

Nicholas J. Spykman

VOL.9,NO.8 MAY,1934 NEW YORK N.Y. NEWS BULLETIN of the INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION MAY,1934 Published monthly October to May—Annual Subscription,25 cents By INSTITUTE oF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION,INc.2 West 45th Street,New York STEPHEN DUGGAN,Ph.D.,LL.D.,DirectorEDWARD R.MURROw,Assistant DirectorMARY L.WAITE,Executive Secretary Entered as Second Class Matter,December 7,1928,at the Post Ofice at New York,N.Y.under the act of March 3,1879 AN APPEAL FOR CONFIDENCE The writer has passed the winter and spring in Europe,part of the timein countries under governments by dictators.It is not his intention to dis-cuss the situation in those countries nor the relative merits of their govern-ments and the governments of the democratic countries of western Europeand the United States.He wishes to emphasize to young Americans oneaspect of the life in the dictatorship countries which appealed to him as moststriking. The great majority of the youth of these countries are filled with enthusi-asm for the new régimes.The enthusiasm is genuine and accompanied by areal willingness for self-sacrifice.One has only to study the willingness,even eagerness of members of the Komsomol(Communist youth organiza-tion)freely to undertake hard work in factories or on farm collectives toappreciate this.They often go to distant cities or provinces in order to servethe cause and uphold the government.Again the enrollment of the Germanyouth has resulted in a breaking down of class distinctions which would haveseemed impossible a few decades back.Young students and workers,forexample,are found side by side in the ranks of the“Arbeits Front,”themovement to abolish unemployment. There are many causes for the enthusiasm of youth in the dictatorshipcountries.Youth is emphatically the period of emotional appeal,especiallypatriotic appeal.As the result of education and propaganda,young Italiansfeel they were shabbily treated at Versailles and young Germans that theywere outrageously treated at Versailles.Young Russians fully believe thatthe capitalistic world is anxious to destroy the proletarian state before it canbecome strong enough to withstand attack.The youth of all these countriesare filled with the martial spirit.Anyone who thinks young Russians areless so than young Germans or Italians,is making a mistake.It is all donein the name of“defense.” Moreover,the youth of these countries,whether students or workers,havebeen without prospects since the war.The democratic régimes seemed toprovide no future.The dictatorship promised better things.Patriotism andpersonal interest combined to make a stirring appeal which has met with anenthusiastic response. It is difficult to visit the democratic countries without realizing a consid-erable lack of enthusiasm for democracy among the youth.While there isno danger of revolution in France,French youth regard the present parlia-mentary régime with contempt.And in both England and the United Statesthere is a good deal of cynicism among the youth of our colleges concerningdemocratic institutions.It is the duty of the college to develop the criticalattitude of mind but cynicism leads nowhere.Fortunately,if there is a lackof enthusiasm,there is also an absence of the martial spirit.Peace is a drab affair compared to war with its trumpets,drums and marching thousands.William James's“The Moral Equivalent of War”has never been realized. Yet it is worthwhile living in a free land.It is worthwhile for professorsand students unafraid to discuss in the classroom the problems of the day.It is worthwhile for editors freely to pronounce judgment upon acts of gov-ernment.It is worthwhile to hold mass meetings to protest against govern-mental policies.If these things form the essence of democracy,do they notjustify the confidence of our youth in democracy and an enthusiasm for itsretention?Democracy is not eternal and its institutions may have to bemodified.But these things form the only motive for the

FAQs

What does the author emphasize in the appeal to young Americans?

The author emphasizes the aspect of life in dictatorship countries that struck him most: the genuine enthusiasm of youth and their willingness for self-sacrifice.

How does the bulletin compare youth attitudes toward democracy in different countries?

It argues that democratic countries show a considerable lack of enthusiasm among youth, including contempt toward the parliamentary regime in France and cynicism toward democratic institutions in England and the United States.

According to the bulletin, what should educational systems do to teach “international relations”?

It proposes that primary education introduce other countries through geography, secondary education explain relations between countries and international organization through history and related civic subjects, and later education focus on understanding rather than only factual information.

Sep 21, 2026

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