IR 002: Lecture 2

Question 1

What is a state?

Answer 1

A political entity with territorial borders and political authorities who enjoy sovereignty.

Question 2

What is the newest state and when was it created?

Answer 2

South Sudan in 2011

Question 3

What is an example of a state that died?

Answer 3

West and East Germany in 1990

Question 4

How many UN recognized states are there?

Answer 4

193 UN-recognized states (2 observers)

Question 5

What is the criteria for the recognition of a state?

Answer 5

-Peoples will (self-determination)
-International Law
-Free will of each nation
-Great power pressures

Question 6

What is the definition of an IGO?

Answer 6

Inter-Governmental Organizations: Organizations created by three or more governments that are based on a formal agreement and have some permanent secretariat or headquarters

Question 7

Approximately how many IGO’s exist today?

Answer 7

350

Question 8

What is the objective of an IGO?

Answer 8

Finding solutions to collective problems

Question 9

What are examples of IGOs?

Answer 9

-World Health Organization (WHO)
-World Trade Organization (WTO)
-United Nations (UN)

Question 10

What are non-state actors (transnational actors)?

Answer 10

Groups of private actors who evolve at the sub-state level but across state boundaries in view of pursuing common objectives

Question 11

What are the main types of non-state actors?

Answer 11

-Multination Corporations. (MNCs)
-Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
-Crime/Terrorist networks (ex.ISIS)
-Individuals

Question 12

What is an MNC?

Answer 12

Multinational Corporation: Enterprises that manage production or deliver services in at least two countries. The traditional multinational is a private company headquartered in one country and with subsidiaries in others, all operating in accordance with a coordinated global strategy to win market share and achieve cost efficiencies

Question 13

What is an NGO?

Answer 13

Non-Governmental Organizations: Private international actors whose members are not states, but are volunteers from populations of two or more states who have formed organizations to promote their shared interest and ideals in order to influence the policies of state governments and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)

Question 14

Approximately how many NGOs exist today?

Answer 14

~40,000

Question 15

What is an example of how NGOs can effect international relations?

Answer 15

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar. NGOs “shaming” campaign in the media to tarnish Qatar’s reputation because of the working conditions used to build the stadium and facilities

Question 16

What percentage of the global GDP do international criminal groups provide?

Answer 16

~5%

Question 17

True or False, all sources of information are perfect?

Answer 17

False

Question 18

What sources of information can you look at?

Answer 18

-Government Archives
-Statistics
-Newspapers
-Speeches and interviews given by leaders
-Polls
-Former leaders’ memoirs
-Think-tank reports
-NGO reports
-Other IR scholars’ books/articles

Question 19

What are the limitations of Government documents?

Answer 19

National security restrictions

Question 20

What are the limitations of speeches?

Answer 20

Overlook/distort/dramatize/lie/etc.

Question 21

What are the limitations of memoirs?

Answer 21

Self-satisfaction, cover-ups, etc.

Question 22

What are the limitations of polls?

Answer 22

Biased questions

Question 23

What are the limitations of press?

Answer 23

Political orientations

Question 24

Why are international relations scholars and experts rarely completely objective?

Answer 24

-Country of origin
-Political/religious convictions
-Academic discipline/training
-The period in which they wrote
-Career concerns
-Funding
-Proximity to the government