AOS 1 Flashcards
define nation
refers to groups of people claiming common bonds based on culture, language and history
define state
this term refers to the central actor in global politics. States possess permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. States are not necessarily culturally homogeneous
define power
refers to the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor, power can be exercised in a range of types
define global governance
institutions, norms, rules and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation and manage relations between states. governance is carried out by both governmental organisations eg the un and non governmental orgs eg amnesty international
define multi-lateralism
refers to a system of coordinating relations between three or more states usually in pursuit of objectives in a particular area
define globalisation
refers to acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital which promotes global interdependence. These have been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology
aims of state
- maintain sovereignty
- protect and maintain national security (primary) through a) protecting against external threats and b) maintaining law and order internally
3) achieve/ protect their national interests (secondary)
roles of state
meet the needs of their citizens through
- defense of borders
- trade and economic growth
- organising international cooperation (diplomacy) to pursue national interests
- maintaining order and justice
define sovereignty
the concept which recognises the state as the legitimate authority within its boundaries. it is the ability to exercise effective control within recognised borders
state sovereignty characteristics
- provides states with absolute autonomy over internal affairs through a) control of people eg laws and tax and b) protection of people
- gives states control over their own foreign policy (external power) through a) defense against external threats eg border invasion and b) can be exercised through memberships of institutions of global governance eg the UN.
issues of sovereignty
sovereignty and non interference
- sov. a barrier for foreign states to engage in the affairs of others but not all states act ethically and humanely and global actors are expected to seek permission before interfering and permission isnt always given
sovereignty and diplomacy
- sov. means all states are equal in the power they hold over their internal affairs and their right to deal with foreign states but in reality some states hold more power than other
challenges to sovereignty
- contested borders
- regional groupings
- the need for multilateralism
venezuela case study and sovereignty
- sov and non interference this includes aid and juan gaido has made provisions accepting us aid yet maduro refuses this and burnt the aid
= no order and justice which is state role - venez is a democratic state = leaders elected by people and maduro had unfair election yet gaido wasnt even elected in in the first place
- some commentators have described venezuela as a near failed state losing control of the things that make it a legit state. maintain order and justice and national interests are failing.
global governance characteristics
political concept which advocates solving international issues through multilateral means.
- urge states to prioritise what is best for common humanity and mutual interests between states over national interests
- loyalty often given to states rather than global governance as the interests of the people within the state reflect the states interests rather than global
- states can pick and choose when to support igo’s = power still resides with a select group
The united nations overview
an international org founded in 1945
made up of 193 member states
main aim is to maintain peace and security across the world
UN aims
- to maintain international peace and secutiy
- to develop friendly relationships among nations
- to foster international co-operation in solving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems.
- to promote human rights and fundamental freedom for the people of the world
UN roles
- to discuss and debate international crises
- to deploy peacekeepers around the world
- to create and enforce international law
- to solve international crises
six organs of the un
- the economic and social council which deals with sustainable development
- the secretariat- administration arm of the org
- trusteeship council - manages decolonisation
- the international court of justice- settles disputes between nations
- the general assembly - the main global forum for discussing and debating international and political cooperation
- the security council - creates resolutions and recommendations based on investigations of threats to peace and security
un effectiveness of power
general assembly: vote is non binding just a mere recommendation no real power
security council: resolutions passed are obliged to be followed by all states however there is a veto power from the 5 permanent members
eg draft resolutions ordering ceasefire in syria by all sides vetoed by russia 12 times
- the un doesnt have its own military force and relies on other states for contribution and cooperation of forces in times when military force is deemed necessary
secretariat - global reach vague goal, the sc appoints secretary general = p5 influence. the secretary has the power to call warring parties to the peace table.
eg of negative power was ban ki moon who was persuaded for two years in a row to keep powerful countries off a list of those whose military forces had killed and maimed children. (2012-2016).
un effectiveness of aims
16 peace keeping missions worldwide eg in south sudan by the security council = goal 2
world health org- india was polio free in 2012 goal 4
unable to achieve main aim of maintaining peace and security ww due to veto power eg lack of intervention in syria in 2012 = 250,000 deaths and 2 mill refugees
un effectiveness in global governance
helps to facilitate cooperation between states and adherence to international law but due to lack of funding, structure of general assembly and security council un has been ineffective on multiple occasions
IMF aims
- to promote international monetary cooperation and exchange rate stability
- to facilitate the expansion and growth of trade
- to make the resources of the fund temporarily available to member states under adequate safeguards
- to promote exchange stability
IMF roles
- to provide loans
- to monitor economic policies
- to offer technical assistance (capacity development)
IMF overview
established in 1944 with 189 memberstates, works to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial security,facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic grwoth and reduce poverty around the world
IMF effectiveness of power
power resides in its ability to dictate economic policy through conditional loans
policy reforms is required of states in need of imf funds and if theyre not met funds can be withheld
- conditionality of loans benefit the already powerful western countries eg us and UK who combined make up 49 % of the voting power within the imf, this means countries loan conditions may not benefit their social or cultural beliefs as the reforms often include privatisation of public access goods etc
imf effectiveness of power case
iceland in 2008 entered into 2.1 billion package with the imf aimed at restoring confidence and stability in icelands economy. In its sixth consecutive year of growth iceland was able to repay its debt
imf effectiveness of aims
#1. in 2010 the imf and eu approved a bailout of 110 bill euro to greece who was facing sovereign debt crisis in exchange for the greek government to adopt austerity measures, however in 2016 imf neglectfully failed to see greece as a funding risk despite size of loan and length of recession #2: serbia in 2014 economu was in serious trouble after 2008 global financial crisis. the economy was stagnated through gov overspending and rapid build up of public debt. programs of fiscal adjustment, financial sector strengthening through imf economic advice and monitoring and precautionary financing. in feb 2018 granted a 1.32 bill us three year program with the imf
ICC overview
a permanent international court established to investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern. their permanent mission is to help put an end to the impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to international community and thus contribute to the prevention of such crimes
ICC crimes
crimes of genocide
crimes against humanity
crimes of war
crimes of aggression
ICC aims
- to ensure the worst perpetrators of crimes of concern to the international community are held to account
- to serve as a court of last resort to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of the most serious crimes when their own state is unable or unwilling to do so
- to assist national judiciaries in investigating and prosecuting the worst perpetrators
- to help promote international peace and security by deterring future perpetrators