Mimetic Desire and Ressentiment in the Case of the Japan–South Korea Trade Dispute

The purpose of this paper is to provide an explanatory account the role emotions in trade dispute between Japan and South Korea which started July 2019. Building on integrated approach study international relations, it argues that collective experience situations conflict has be understood relation moralities assumed by parties involved. It proposes a theoretical framework combining concepts mimetic desire ressentiment coined René Girard Friedrich Nietzsche, respectively, order problematize dialectic power-justice underlying processes legitimation self-justification two countries. In sense, strong emotional reactivity both elites people can attributed contradictions desires for superiority equality channelled nation-state-centred narratives. concludes ending cycle requires move toward commitments justice empathy at domestic levels.