The Possible Effects of Student Activism on International Relations.

An analysis of the intellectual and historical background, and possible effect on international relations, of worldwide student activism. While specific targets for student activism may vary from country to country, there are certain common ideological elements, namely a reaction against the domestic status quo and lack of any relationship to adult organizations. This resurgence of student activism is due, in part, to the coming of intellectual and political age of a generation unaffected by the polarities of the Cold War which stifled, to some extent, domestic criticism. The short-run effect of the extra-parliamentary nature of this activism will, on the whole, strengthen the right. However, the dominant political group, in the interest of preserving tranquility and avoiding violence against the government, may opt for a more isolationist course. In the long run, as these student activists move into positions of responsibility, the elite power structures will contain a much larger proportion of liberals and leftists than they do now. 40 pp. (MJP)