politics & governance at the global level Flashcards
1
Q
international politics & governance
A
- although world does not have govn’t, can be said to have global governance (process where number of different actors compete & co-operate to provide certain degree of order among states
- scholars of international politics agree in defining world as anarchic (lacking central authority)
- when it comes to assessing significance of anarchy, scholars are divided
2
Q
realism
A
- approach to study of international politics + assumes security is major part of states since international system is anarchic
- peace rests primarily on deterrence + possibility of international governance is limited since states are reluctant to put constraints on sovereignty
- pursuit of self interests are central feature of foreign policy (govnt’s strategies in dealing with other nations)
3
Q
multipolarity
A
- until beginning of 20th century, international system was multipolar
- meaning it contained at least four, sometimes more, major poles
- pole = major nation-state or coalition of states that possesses considerable influence on global stage
- states in multipolar system tend to maintain ‘balance of power’ (distribution of power among states in way that no single entity is over dominant)
4
Q
bipolarity
A
- type of international system
- two superpowers compete with one another
5
Q
unipolarity
A
- international system with single super-power
6
Q
realist view of international co-operation
A
- IGO = international govn’t organizations
- realists recognize that 20th century IGOs have come to play more visible & important role in international system
- also underline the fact that IGOs like united nation have been established by states to pursue their national interests
- therefore, big powers enjoy as privileged a position within UN as they do outside it
7
Q
war and peace in international system
A
- realists view competition, rivalry, & conflict as normal mode of interaction among states
- for realists, problem is how to make sure competition & rivalry stop short of war
- solution is to make war too costly an option to choose
- follows that peace can be attained only through strength
8
Q
realist school & limits of governance
A
- realists are skeptical about possibility of global governance
- two reasons for skepticism;
- realists focus mainly on issue of security which they assume to be central concern of sovereign states + therefore unlikely to be completely delegated to any IGO
- states are generally unwilling to put constraints on their sovereignty + hence international system might change in terms of its distribution of power among states (but is unlikely to change it terms of its organization of authority)
9
Q
liberal-internationalism
A
- has less sombre view of consequences of international anarchy + more optimistic about possibilities of global governance
- assumes increased culture & social connections & economic interdependence are leading to emergence of global civil society in which co-operation, rule of law, & peace are valued + global governance is spreading both functionally and geographically
10
Q
differences in liberal international from realism
A
- belief that states are not only actors in international arena
- states & societies interact in many different issues areas (political, economic, social, cultural)
- states are viewed as unitary actors but as network of different actors each with different interests, priorities, & preferences
- belief that individuals, groups, & institutions learn from their experiences & mistakes + are capable of modifying their behaviour accordingly
11
Q
why states co-operate
A
- liberal-internationalists point out that states usually comply with international law, even in absence of central authority for two reasons;
- states wish to do what is considered right & moral + do not wish to lose prestige in eyes of international public opinion
- states have learned over time that their interest to abide by international law is because it’s better to live in ordered & predictable world rather than in lawless & uncertain one
12
Q
problem of security & search for peace
A
- unlike realists, liberal-internationalists believe states can & should rely on IGOs and law, rather then themselves for security
- for them, state security is better achieved through collective approach
- principle of collective security asserts that states pledge to intervene on behalf of member whose security is threatened by aggressive actions of another state
13
Q
liberal-internationalists promise of governance
A
- are more optimistic than realists about possibility of global governance
- the world, they argue, does not resemble Hobbe’s mythical state of nature
- it also appears to be increasingly acquiring features of a global civil society, as evidenced by growing network of connections across national borders
14
Q
radical theoretical approach
A
- regards social classes & particularly transnational economic elites as key actors in international politics
- states are simply agents in acting in interests of these elites
- drawing inspiration for writings of Marx, the radical approach shares characteristics with realism but also differs in significant ways
15
Q
constructivist theoretical approach
A
- regards international politics as being result of ideas & norms, especially those of social & political elites
