AOS 2 Flashcards
sovereignty
Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (for example, secessionist groups) or externally (for example, one state invades another).
National interests
The national interests of a state are pursued to ensure the survival and potential growth of that state. States implement policies and types of power to achieve their national interests and maintain state sovereignty.
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.
security
Traditionally this term refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through the use of military power. It has now evolved to include softer forms of security, such as access to resources and the protection of the environment.
idealism
Refers to a school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by an ideological principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations.
pragmatism
A school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by practical considerations, as opposed to a particular ideology.
realism
realism involves states and other global actors prioritizing their specific interest and needs over those of the global community
national security
this is the national interest of a state to ensure it maintains sovereignty. Traditionally this term refers to the protection a states borders from intruders but has evolved to include other forms of security, such as resource and environmental security, that are necessary for a state to maintain sovereignty
international standing
the international standing of a state is an important national interest as it influences the power a state has in global politics. other national interests impact on international standing as well as a states role and recognition in intergovernmental organisations and as a proponent of international law. if a state has a poor international standing it may threaten their sovereignty.
regional relationships
positive regional relationships are an important national interest to a state as they ensure its neighbours will not behave in a hostile manner and thus threaten state sovereignty, alliances with other likeminded neighbours may help the success of of other national interests. however a state may consider other national interests more important than positive regional relationships if they better achieve the aims of a state.
hard power
refers to power exercised through coercion or threatened acts of coercion to influence the actions of other global actors. this is most commonly exercised through military forms
soft power
refers to the ability of one global actor to shape the actions of other global actors through uncoercive yet persuasive means so that they want the same outcome. this can be achieved in various ways for example through diplomatic, cultural or historical ties .
military power
refers to the use of a states military to exert influence over the actions of other global actors, this may not need to implemented through a use of force as placement and capacity of the military may not be enough to infleunce other global actors
cultural power
refers to a desirable and transportable culture that states can use to achieve ends that might not be achieved through military and political means. it is often linked to soft power and may influence regional relationships and international standing
diplomatic power
refers to power accrued by states through their relationships with others in the form of alliances, alignments and international standing. essentially is it the ability of a state to influence other global actors by way of discussion and negotiation.
economic power
a states economic power is defined by figures such as gross domestic product which indicate the wealth of a state and its economic activity. economic power can also be assessed by the states reliance on imports of goods and services. crucially economic power refers to a states ability to infleunce the actions of other states through finance and trade.
political power
refers to the use of a states internal political machinery to exert infleunce over the actions of others for example legislation, executive orders, white papers.
foreign policy
foreign policy is linked to national interests. It aims to answer (what is the states national interest and how can the state best achieve the national interest
what are foreign policy instruments
specific tools employed by a state as part of its foreign policy strategy, in order to fulfill its national interest goals. the foreign policy instruments are: - diplomacy - trade - aid -military
foreign policy: diplomacy
the principal means of communication between states and therefore an essential part of international relations. largely concerned with - the work of foreign ministries - dialogue and discussions - negotatiations - representation - promotion of trade-links
foreign policy: trade
the current globalised economy trade links are most common relationships. it is known as the exchange of goods and services. it is largely concerned with - the work of trade ministries - trade agreements and investments -trade blocs and customs unions -trade wars
foreign policy: aid
part of a states soft power image as a responsible global citizen.
it is the transfer of goods and services between actors (often states)
largely concerned with:
- the work of foreign ministries and humanitarian ngo’s
- assistance packages - grants, loans, short term relief efforts or longer term infrastructure development and redevelopment.
foreign policy: military
“diplomacy without force is like music without instruments” - frederick the great, prussian king
“war is but the continuation of politics by other means” - carl von clausewitz, on war
largely concerned with
- the work of defence ministries, armed defnece forces and other security agencies
- the proffesion of soldiering
foreign policy diplomacy example
US china diplomatic talks fueled by trumps nationalist approach and chinas military growth, the second meeting US moved to impose sanctions on chinas army equipment development
china giving 1.5 billion in aid to east timor
aid to 140 countries including many african countries in form of loan
- panda diplomacy for example malaysia in 2014
-public denouncements with obama in 2014 due to their association with tibet
- UN veto power 2007 myanmar condemning political repression in myanmar. by using veto it upheld its foreign policy belief in non-interference, helps to uphold their international standing as a non interventionist state hence not intervening in chinas domestic affairs.
