chapter 1: Theories of global politics Flashcards
(41 cards)
Define liberalism
a theory based on an optomistic interpretation of human beings’ capacity for co-operation, arguably nation states in global politics are linked and interdependent and best advanced through states working closely with one another
define anarchical society
a term used to describe the idea that although nation states are sovereign, global politics is anarchical in nature, nation states can choose to cooperate with each other in order to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. this therefore creates a global society in spite of the anarchical nature of the international system
define security dilemma
the idea that as one state builds up its defences, others will respond by building up theire. this increases tension between the two states and even produces conflict
define complex interdependence
the idea that states and their fortunes are inextrincably linked
Cobweb model is used to explain this type of connectedness. It highlights the links between states, and the fact that the cobweb could disintegrate if one strand were to break.
define nation state
a sovereign state of which most of the citizens or subjects are united also by factors which define a nation, such as language or common descent
define realism
a theory that nation states are the most important and authoritative actors in global politics. as nation states persue their own self interest, and there is no authority greater than nation states that can enforce stability and peace, this means that international relations tend towards conflict
define society of states
-global society is a system in which states attempt to establish order by forming alliences, creating international institutions and laws
-Nation states do not surrender their sovereignty, but they accept that there are advantages to negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes to collective problems.
- e.g EU
define international anarchy
the concept that the world system is leaderless; there is no universal sovereign or worldwide government- and therefore nation-states must protect themselves and, in doing so, often clash with other states
-Arnold Wolfers uses the billiard ball model to explain this type of anarchy. The states impact one another, but ultimately their interests take precedence over IGOs.
what are the consequences of international anarchy?
- IGOs will be limited in their impact and effectiveness because states determine their success or failure
- states will also want to prevent IGOs from making decisions that are not in their interests
- international law is not always enforceable. in an anarchical world system, no international body can force states to sign up to international law
- international courts may be ignored or may not have decisive powers to investigate at all
- the absensence of any authority above nation states means that states are able to breach international law or commit hr abuses within their state without fear of being held accountable or stopped
- if world order is without authority, the most powerful states will try to gain enough power to become that authority and exert their own control over global politics
define global governance
attempts to bring government structures and authority to world politics in order to deal with common interests and challanges, nation states do not surrender their sovereignty, but they accept that there are advantages to negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes to collective problems
define IGO, NGO and regional body with examples
- IGO; an organisation that works with sovereign states fro a political purpose e.g united nations, IMF,WHO
- NGO: a nonprofit organisation that operates without governmental influence e.g oxfam, human rights watch
- regional body: consist of member states from a specific geographical area, focusing on region-specific matters and fostering cooperation within that particular region e.g ASEAN
what are the main beliefs of realists?
- the authoiry of IGOS should be limired. in this respect, global politics is an anarchical society, since nation-states retain the right to act in whichever way they wish
- since nation-states exist in a state of gloval anarchy, this creates a security dilemma
- states act rationally and usually prioritise defending their own national self itnerest against perceived threats
- all states will ultimately try and find ways of increasing their power and infleunce within the global political order
- the natural state of the world order is for states to compete with each other, making the most of their power
who are the 4 key realist thinkers?
- kenneth waltz
- hedley bull
- hans morgenthau
- john mearsheimer
what do the 4 realist thinkers believe?
- kenneth waltz: a defensive realist thinker, favoured bipolarity over multipolarity. believed bipolarity could lead to easier negotiations and therefore stability
- hedley bull: identified the idea of anarachical society in global politics. believed a society of states emerged within this anarchy to promote common interests and values
- hans morgenthau: a classical realist thinker. political man is a naturally selfish creature and will always try and dominate. moral considerations in global politics are less important than the national interest
- john mearsheimer: an offensive realist thinker. explained that conflict and competition for power between the great world powers will continue. states are trying to secure hegemony, meaning they want to dominate all other states within a region
what would realist attitudes towards the russian annexation of crimea in 2014 be?
- a realist may interpret the annexation as justified because russia was acting in self- interest to protect the valuable port of sevastopland a majority russian speaking population. additionally, it hihglights the failure of IGOs as russia, as a perm member, was able to veto the UNSC passing of a resolution
how is the 2003 Iraq invasion an example of realism in uk and us foreign policy?
- the us was prepared to go in alone without international support
- the war’s legality is questioned, with the Chilcot inquiry in 2016 concluding that it was ‘unjustified’
- the us and its allies were acting in what they perceived, and argued was their national interest
how powerful is the nation-state according to realism?
-reliasts believe that there is international anarchy (!!!!)
-john dalton developed a way of explaining realism and the idea of international anarchy through his billiard ball model.
This explains that when one ball (nation states) hits another, they spread out, they do not merge (due to the balls hard outer shell representing their sovereignty). they remain seperate entities. this model shows how international anarchy works- the balls are self-contained units that often clash against each other, but never merge. they can be grouped together, thier decisions may effect each other, but their independece and sovereignty is never affected.
what are the consequences of this international anarchy?
- IGOs will be limited in their effectiveness and impact because states are sovereign they are able to leave IGOS as they are dependent on the states that make them up
- states will prevent IGOs from making decisions which are not in their national interest because the resolutions of the UNSC is decided by perm members, therefore if not in their interest they will veto
- international law will not always be applied this is because states have the freedom to opt out or nit agree to certain treaties that make up internation law such as Russia in 2021 opting out of START, and ICJ/ICC rulings are not bidning due to state sovereignty
- internatinal courts may be ignored, or not have decisive powers to act at al, as seen with the iraq invasion and crimea, states can ignore decisions to not invade countries because rulings cannot be enforced
what do realists believe about the inevitability of conflict/security?
- realists beleive that conflict is inevitable owing to the desire of nation states ti promote thier own self interest. this is because states are likely to try to maximise their power and influence resorting to conflict if necessary. realists also hold that states are inherently selfish.
- states will also put their own security at risk and make conflict more likely when they try ti build up their own military defences to counter a perceived threat. this in turn encourages the opposing state to increase its own security (known as security dilemma)
- according to defensive realists, all states want ti portect themselves against threats from other states and non-state actors
what are the main beleifs of liberalism?
- states are not the only actors in global politics. a wider range of non-state actors have a positive role to play including NGOS and IGOS
- international law is possible and desirable in global politics and world order should be based in clearly agreed international rules. these can help to hold states accountable
- a states primary aim should not be to become more powerful, particulalrly at the expense of other states. liberals reject the idea of a zero-sum game
-there is mutual benefit in states cooperating and working together on matters such as security, trade and development. - democracy plays a key role in keeping states safe and peaceful. democratic states are less likely to fight each other
- international trade binds states together in common interests, making them more depending on each other, thereby reducing the likelihood of conflict
what do liberals beleive about human nature
- liberals have an optomistic view of human natire that translates to states. human nature is not fixed, and so states can improve and develop
- humans and therefore states are committed to individual liberty and freedom e.g on human rights
what do realists beleive about human nature
- human nature is naturally selfish and egoist and therefore states are only interested in their own national interests
- states are motivated by a need to survive. this is especially so in a global system where there is no guarantee that another state or IGO will help them
- human nature is fixed and dirven and cannot be changed, so states too are motivated by a desire to dominate and have power over others
what do liberals beleive about power
- states are aware of the limits of soft power. however, they may ise smart power, a combination of soft and hard power, to achieve their objectives
- the use of power, particularly military, can be counter-productive
- humans, and therefore states, prefer to work in partnership. international cooperation through IGOs is both desirous and possible
- soft power and smart power are important means by which states can achieve their inrended outcomes. they should be the first option, with hard power only used as a last resort
what do realists beleive about power
- threats and the use of force are particularly important types of hard power to possess and maximise, especially in a system of international anarchy
- the primary goal and motivation of states is to increase thier power
- powerful states will always be able to overcome weaker states
- when power is shared equally between states it creates a balance of power and this leads to stability (???)
- as states become more economically interdependent, the risk of conflict recedes, in this way, economic interdependence makes the entire global system more stable and peaceful
- military power is not the only form of significant power, economic power and free trade links can enable states to become richer, more stable and more secure
