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SAN MARINO AND THE CONCEPT

OF TRUST BETWEEN NATIONS

[continued from page 1] it’s being exploited by China. Despite of a foreign policy founded on trust—in
But the agreement does not affect the right this, trust is real between countries and particular whether heads of state have the
of the Republic of San Marino to plays a key role in international relations. right to enter into open-ended agreements
continue to issue gold coins denominated in Professor Stiles writes extensively about that put their citizens at risk.
Scudi (legal value of 1 gold Scudo is 37.50 the notion of trust and suggests that where
euros). Gambling is legal and regulated it does exist, it emerges from a confluence Stiles begins his analysis by developing
starting in 2007. There is currently one of strategic, social, and ideational factors. a multidimensional definition and
legally operating casino in San Marino. But those countries who do not trust operationalization of trust that he relates
In exchange for these limitations, Italy others, are not necessarily on a path that to international law, international conflict,
provides San Marino with an annual undermines international cooperation and trade, and realism, liberalism, and
stipend, and at cost, sea salt (not more solidarity. (pp. 1-2, Trust and Hedging in constructivism. He follows this with an
than 250 tonnes per year), tobacco International Relations, Stiles). Again, the imaginative research design that explores
(40 tonnes), cigarettes (20 tonnes) and U.S. does not trust China or Russia, but the trust found in the associations between
matches (unlimited). At the border there the two countries still have broad areas of smaller and larger states, focusing first upon
are no formalities with Italy. However, agreement where cooperation exists. European microstates and then on the
at the tourist office visitors can purchase relationships between the United States,
officially cancelled souvenir stamps for Looking at how relationships between Russia, and China and several countries
their passports. Under these restrictions, European microstates and their partners that have relied on these dominant
San Marino is thriving. Italy and tiny have evolved over the past few centuries, members of the international system.
San Marino have a relationship of trust Stiles finds that rather than trusting, Stiles examines the role such international
and cooperation. While most agree that most microstates are careful to hedge institutions as the European Union, the
global cooperation is desirable, and that in their relations by agreeing only to Organization for Economic Cooperation
trust between nations large and small is arrangements that provide them with and Development, and the United Nations
critical to ensure a world that is safe and opt-out clauses, heavy involvement in joint play in building trust and providing
productive, fear of being exploited usually decision-making, and sunset provisions. smaller countries with a hedge against
takes precedence. In the process, Stiles assesses the role of the adverse effects of an over reliance on
rationality, social relations, identity politics, more powerful actors. In a world where
Current opposition to free trade on both and other theories of trust to demonstrate trust between nations clearly benefits all by
sides of the Atlantic, for example, stems that trust is neither essential for cooperation enhancing trade and goodwill, hedging and
largely from the sense that countries are nor a guarantee of protection and safety. strategic thinking are always critical.
being exploited. The U.S. currently feels Finally, he explores the ethical implications

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