Case studies Flashcards
Example of UN having a significant impact
In 2013, the Security councils passed UNSCR 2118. Enabled the OPCW to enter Syria and destroy approx. 1290 tonnes of chemical weapons. However, Syrian government is reported to have used chemical weapons again in 2017 and 2018 against its civilians.
Example of UN having a limited impact
- In their meeting on February 25, the UN Security council rejected a draft resolution, which was intended to end Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine
- It was vetoed by the Russian Federation, and China, India and the UAE all abstained
Example of IMF having a significant impact
2023: approved Sri Lanka request for $2.9bn bailout, for economic crisis
4 year program
Wickremesigne replaced G. Rajapaksa (who was blamed for the mismanagement of cash) and implemented tough spending cuts and tax hikes in order to secure IMF assistance
Fees that have not been revised from 2020 will now increase by 20%
HS Code 2022 (implemented from Jan 1 2023) changes the existing three band tariff system for import taxes from 0, 10%, and 15% to now a three band tariff of 0, 15% and 20%.
Inflation fell from 70% to 3.4% by November 2023
Example of IMF having a limited impact
IMF
- 2018: IMF provided Argentina with a conditional loan of 57 billion
- In return, Argentinian government was expected to cut budget deficit and control inflation
- 2021: IMF completed a review and acknowledged the program did not fulfil objectives
Impact:
- Feb 2022, inflation was still above 50%, not reduced
Poverty rates have increased from 25% to 32%
Example of NGO having a significant impact
Action: Amnesty International carried out research to research the details of the detention of al-Araibi, pointed out that it would be a breach of international law to return him to Bahrain where he may be subject to torture
Positive impact: publicised the concern through the ‘Write for Rights’ campaign and #savehakeem online campaign
Consequence: He was released in Feb 2019. shows how Amnesty international fulfilled their aims of preventing human rights abuses, brought a degree of justice by helping him get released and generated action by mobilizing people in support of al-Araibi
Example of NGO having a limited impact
Action: July 2022: Amnesty International published a press release calling on Iran to end its use of the death penalty
Impact: The government has not altered its policy
Between December 8, 2022 and January 7, 2023, 4 young people were executed on capital charges in connection with their participation in protests of the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini in custody
Example of MNC having a significant impact
March 2021: In Virginia, United States, a data privacy bill was passed that was drafted by an Amazon lobbyist, with assistance from Microsoft
Example of MNC having a limited impact
January 2022, the US Senate Judiciary Committee approved the passage of the American Innovation and Choice Online Act. This law will impose limits on how Apple uses its App Store, and in theory, may in turn reduce the amount of revenue that Apple makes, which could in turn challenge Apple’s economic power.
Example of social movement having a significant impact
- In 2019, Saudi Arabia issued a cabinet decree M.134 following many high profile cases of women seeking asylum overseas, which amended the laws to allow adult women over 21 to travel without permission, and gave them the ability to register births, deaths, marriages and divorces, as well as be issued official family documents and be a guardian of children
Example of social movement having a limited impact
- Many women who were part of the protests have been detained or arrested
- No concrete change has been observed
Example of EU having significant impact
Temporary Protection Directive activated in 2022 allowing Ukranians fleeing the way to receive immediate protection without having to prove they were being personally persecuted. It also allowed Ukranians to choose which EU member state they would reside in, challenging an element of their sovereign control over migration policies
Example of EU having limited impact
December 2020, EU ruled Hungary’s practice of escorting undocumented migrants across the border to Serbia violated EU law. However, Hungary has continued this and has since sent a further 2,346 people back to Serbia.
Example of ASEAN having significant impact
- Helped to negotiate the RCEP, the world’s largest free trade agreement
- Signed six free trade deals with other economies in the region
Example of ASEAN having limited impact
It has been unable to develop a response to the coup in Myanmar in 2021, where the junta has violently suppressed protests, and the conflict has escalated into a civil war. This is due to the lack of enforcement powers that ASEAN has, as well as its principle of not getting involved in states internal affairs.
Examples of hard power
China’s use of hard power in the South China Sea
- Since 2013, China has been militarizing the South China Sea by making artificial islands
- 2013: Philippines filed a claim with the Permanent Court of Arbitration against China
- 2016: PCA held in favour of Philippines
- 2018: China installed anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles on Fiery Cross Reef
2021: China’s Shandong Aircraft Carrier engaged in military exercises in the SCS
