IR Basics Flashcards
(25 cards)
Realism and neo-realism
Humankind’s egoistic nature (classical realism) and the absence of a central authority above the state. Highest goal is the survival of the state. Influences how states act, and conflict is dominant theme.
Liberalism
Rejection of power politics as the only possible outcome of international relations; it questions security/warfare principles of realism. Mutual benefits and international cooperation.
Constructivism
Belief that international politics are shaped by persuasive ideas, collective values, culture, and social identities.
Feminism
Increase the access of women to power and authority in foreign affairs.
Neo-Marxism
Economics - and not national interests - drive politics. Military action is to protect economic interests.
Self-help
Build up military and form military alliances.
Rational unitary actors
State presents itself as one.
Prisoner’s Dilemma/Security dilemma
You can’t trust another country to seek peace.
Kantian Triangle
- Democracy
- International Institutions
- Economic Interdependence
Anarchy
No government
Relative Gains
Preference for outperforming a partner rather than getting equal, share, or less.
Absolute Gains
Preference for collective benefit, without concern about how others are doing.
General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.
Security Council
The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members). Each Member has one vote.
Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.
Trusteeship Council
Provides international supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven Member States.
International Court of Justice
Principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.
Secretariat
The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization’s other principal bodies.
Differences between the ICJ and ICC
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a civil court that hears disputes between countries. The ICC is a criminal court that prosecutes individuals.
Collective security
An aggressor against any one state is considered an aggressor against all other states, which act together to repel the aggressor.
UN Charter
Establishes conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be mantained.
What are the three ways international law is enforced?
Collective action, reciprocity, and shame
Rome Statute (ICC)
Treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
UN Peacekeeping
“UN peacekeepers provide security and the political and peacebuilding support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace.
UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
- Consent of the parties;
- Impartiality (equal treatment);
- Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.”
