Session 7 Flashcards
Q: What is the core idea behind “authoritarian international law”?
- The way authoritarian regimes engage with and reshape international law to reinforce their rule,
- rather than merely operating within a framework shaped by democracies.
Q: How do authoritarian regimes differ from democracies in their approach to international law?
- Prioritize regime survival and avoid legally binding commitments that could limit their power,
- democracies create long-term legal obligations that outlive individual governments.
Q: How do authoritarian states use regional organizations like ASEAN or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?
- To emphasize sovereignty,
- resist democratic influence, and
- coordinate repression of political opposition.
Q: How do authoritarian regimes manipulate democratic legal norms?
- Adopt the appearance of democratic institutions, such as elections and courts,
- use them to consolidate power rather than ensure genuine democratic governance.
Q: What are some emerging legal trends that facilitate authoritarian rule?
A: The expansion of cybercrime laws,
- anti-extremism regulations, and
- sovereignty-based human rights frameworks that justify repression.
Q: What are the potential consequences of the rise of authoritarian international law?
-Weaken transparency,
- reduce human rights protections, and
- create a more stable authoritarian bloc resistant to democratic influence.
Q: What were the main reasons for the failure of the liberal international order?
- destined to fail due to inherent flaws—
- its push for global democracy provoked conflict,
-hyperglobalization led to economic inequalities - nationalism consistently overpowered liberal values
Q: What is the difference between the Cold War order and the post-Cold War order?
Cold War Order (1945–1989):
- A realist, bounded order,
- primarily Western and based on balance-of-power politics.
Post-Cold War Order (1990–2019):
- A true liberal international order, aimed at global democracy promotion, economic integration, and institutional governance
Q: How did nationalism contribute to the decline of the liberal international order?
A: Nationalism, the strongest political ideology, often clashed with liberal values, particularly over sovereignty, immigration, and cultural identity.
- fueled resistance to liberal governance and led to rising populism
Q: Why was unipolarity essential for the liberal international order?
- Because the U.S. was the dominant global power
- multipolarity emerged with the rise of China and Russia, the liberal order weakened and realist competition returned
Q: How did hyperglobalization undermine the liberal international order?
- led to job losses,
- wage declines,
- rising inequality in Western countries,
- fueling political backlash and eroding support for liberal economic policies
Q: What will replace the liberal international order?
A: A realist-based multipolar system, where great powers—particularly the U.S. and China—compete through bounded regional orders rather than a universal liberal system
Q: What is the primary focus of the U.S.-China strategic competition?
- Not primarily military or economic,
- a struggle over global norms, narratives, and legitimacy—
-Shaping international rules and institutions
Q: Why does Mazarr argue that military and economic power are secondary in the U.S.-China rivalry?
Military and economic serve as tools for a broader ideological and normative contest rather than being the main objective
Q: How do the U.S. and China compete for global influence?
- shaping the dominant global ideas, rules, and norms.
- The U.S. has historically led by promoting a rules-based order,
- China struggles to offer a compelling alternative
Q: How does legitimacy play a role in international leadership?
A: The U.S. has historically maintained influence not just through military and economic strength, but by shaping international institutions in a way that others view as legitimate and beneficial
Q: Why does China struggle to establish legitimacy as a global leader?
- China’s authoritarian model lacks global appeal.
- particularly in Asia and Europe, view China’s rise with suspicion and resistance
Q: What does Mazarr recommend for the U.S. to maintain global leadership?
- must reinforce the legitimacy of its leadership
- addressing challenges like inequality, climate change, and economic justice.
- If isolates it risks losing the competition not because China wins, but because the U.S. undermines its own influence
Q: Why do analysts frequently underestimate Europe?
- Many predict Europe’s decline,
- despite crises like COVID-19, Russia’s aggression, migration waves, and Brexit, Europe has consistently prevailed through pragmatic, nonmilitary tools
Q: How does Europe exert global power differently from the U.S., China, and Russia?
- Europe relies on economic strength,
- regulatory influence,
- diplomacy, and
- international law to shape global affairs
Q: How has Europe successfully managed recent global crises?
- Russia & Ukraine: Economic sanctions and diplomacy, not war.
- Migration Crisis: Deals with transit countries like Turkey and Libya reduced irregular migration.
- Populism & Brexit: Right-wing populism remains weak outside Britain, and Brexit has shown the costs of leaving the EU
Q: What is the “Brussels Effect” and why is it significant?
- Europe is a global regulatory superpower,
- shaping global markets through strict data privacy, trade, and environmental standards,
- forcing major economies to comply
Q: Why does Moravcsik argue that Europe’s lack of centralized military power is a strength?
- Europe solves problems through incremental, consensus-based policymaking,
- making it more stable and resilient than autocratic rivals
Q: Why does Moravcsik believe Europe represents the future of global order?
- U.S. and China face instability, populism, and legitimacy crises,
-Europe remains a stable, high-income, well-governed region, - leading through multilateralism and pragmatic governance
