Class Test 1 POLI 283 Issues and Trends in World Politics Flashcards
Factors Shaping an Individual’s Perpsective
culture values media time place political culture generation bias economic circumstance source of news
Media
modern era flattening of authority. gone from journalism integrity to self curation. it is not harder to verify because no hierarchy
Cooperation
refers to political actors proactively working together.
inherently active
requires communication to further mutual interests
can cooperate within existing structures or create new ones
can be multi or bilateral
can exist with or without government involvement (NGO, civil organization, faith based groups, labor unions, charity, international civil society)
Conflict
clashes of interest NOT NECESSARILY WARFARE)
takes many forms (withdrawal of diplomatic relations to full blown warfare)
Garners more attention than cooperation
Securitzation- regular and security politics. Social warfare ex) the war on drugs or patriot act- pass legislation that wouldn’t pass during normal times. justifies extraordinary measures.
Conflict and Cooperation are not mutually exclusive
IO international organization
global institution comprised of states as members (UN)
TNC Transnational Corporation
corporation with branches in multiple countries (PEPSI)
Subnational Groups
identity groups or ideological organized and representing subsection of broader population within a state.
Globalization
16th Century
18th Century
Greater integration and interdependence economic, social, political, communication
Some argue globalization marginalizes nation states by reducing their autonomy.
concern w/ cultural impact, but not homogenized
Aspects of globalization are controllable but not completely controllable.
Diaspora and Crusades
16th century emergence of international law
18th century enlightenment, social unification
Danti Alighieri governing system including all of Christendom
WWI, WWII, Cold War- rampant nationalism , globalization fed by creation of UN, World Bank and IMF
International Regimes
international laws or norms that set the rules for cooperation
Fragmentation
attempts to push back against globalization (ex. Brexit)
Actors focus on their own interests and concerns.
Impedes globalization , forces government attention back to local imperatives & constituents.
Clash Between Globalization and Fragmentation
Increased communication now but disconnect going on for centuries
Trade- spice road, Mongolia to Europe form mid evil time on wards. expulsion of people, fragmentation. Imperialism and WWI
Pro globalization: Northern Ireland, Lorraine France
Anti globalization: Ghana, North Korea, Iran, Singapore
Anarchy
International politics are inherently anarchic- basic tensions stem from this. ex) Iran’s virulent nationalism (fragmentation) no clear course. Western Democracies v.s China Russia. ex) nuclear proliferation
Iran tested nuclear weapons in defiance of treaty
NO supranational power above level of the state. can’t address grievances.
Theoretical Background
Systemic, Domestic, Individual
Used to sort complexity of world affairs
Systemic Level of Analysis
Big Picture- International
Encompasses all other levels , all actors play or interact at this level , anarchic
zero sum, prisoners dilemma for difficulty of achieving international cooperation in anarchic system.
All states are unitary actions, all the same despite internal makeup
States are rational actors, make decision based on preferences a
Tries to give us predictability- under the same conditions and the same information two rational actors would make the same decision
Unitary Rational Actor
each state’s decisions are based on a set of predetermined and stable priorities. internal factors do not matter. states are driven by international forces.
Linkage
negotiation more than one issue concurrentlt so that concessions on one side might be made up by gains on another.
Confidence Building Measures
stipulations built in to treaties or agreements to reduce the likelihood of defection and to enhance communication
Domestic Analysis
State level, shift away from state=unitary actor
Examine domestic structure to understand how a state my behave. trying to find predictable patterns for world affairs ex) democratic states operate differently than non democratic ones.
Can be problematic as it introduces more variables.
Role of political culture- how citizens in different groups, societies etc. represent social framework used by comparativists. (*problem-causality)
Randall Schweller , Sam Huntington ‘clash of civilizations’ future of world wide fragmentation rooted in conflicts west vs rest of civilization clash
Amy Chua’s “world on fire” market dominant minorities at odds with disenfranchised local majorities. when a free market is introduced violence occurs
Individual Level
Leaders
A leader who is constrained by two levels: their own internal state mechanism and the rules that govern the international system, can one individual make a difference?
Specific personality traits are measured and compared: Operational Code
More variables, therefore it is harder to explain
Operational Code
Nathan Leites- cognitive map taking in to account the fact that decision makers respond not to the external world but their own perspectives of the external world.
Alexander George- adopts and refines^. Analytical tool to identify philosophical beliefs: assumptions regarding fundamental nature of politics, conflict and instrumental beliefs: regarding political ends to means
Predictive and comparative tool
Analytic Tools
as the number of factors increase, we move from general explanations to singular descriptions and lose efficiency. Kenneth Waltz applied this to the levels of analysis, supported general method, staying as scientific as possible.
Worldviews & Paradigms
Worldviews- have to recognize how our own beliefs colour our perception.
Paradigm: glasses or lens through we view the world. Realism, Liberalism/Idealism, Constructivism, Marxism, Feminism, Other
Realism
Oldest international relations theory- roots in Thucydides history of the Peloponesian Wars. Machiavelli & Hobbes
Realism today- After WWII as a response to the failure of the interwar periods idealism (liberalism)
realpolitik
Hans Morgenthau, Kissinger, survival of the fittest
World governed by the law of the jungle, every state must protect itself and it’s own self interest. weak states will not survive.
Can be articulated at all levels
CORE PRINCIPLES: 1. anarchy of international politics 2. anarchy leads to conflict not cooperation 3. stability better preserve by conflict than cooperation 4. states that prioritize cooperation or economic gain over security will not fare as well 5. states and interstate interaction are the key political actors that matter most
Classical Realism (Neoclassical Realists)
Corresponds to domestic level -reintroduces state itself Inherently negative view of human nature. people are rational, self interested but suspicious. relative power ( position with regard to other states) measured by capabilities and resources influence but don't determine international position (Schweller)- revisionist state: a state that is dissatisfied with its position and therefore intent on changing the system itself. attempt to overthrow it. Lions- content with status bc @ top Lambs- weak, don't want to get caught up Jackals- risk averse but opportunistic Wolves- revisionist, predatory, desperate
Structural Realism (Neorealism)
Systemic Level
Waltz, Greico structure of the international system accounts for the behavior of states. CORE PRINCIPLES: 1. international system anarchic 2. primary concern of all states is survival. demphasize the role of actors within a state and give precedence to the international system and the pressure it exerts.
Absolute power over Relative power.
Absolute: total unchallenged authority Relative: postilion with regard to other states. results in security dilemma
polarity, zero sum game ( balance needed so no one dominates)
caught an L when soviet empire collapsed because forced to look inside state but s.realists hate reductivism
Polarity
concerned with most powerful states. hegemon is thhe predominant world power.
unipolar- post cold war
bipolar- cold war
multipolar- 19th century Concert of Europe
Liberalism
Intellectual tradition, primarily cooperative, more inclined to trust Just War (St. Augustine. religious tradition of limiting the effects of war) Hugo Grotius natural law and the emergence of an international society. move away from religion to the rule of law. (realists don't believe in rules but force) rule of law- rules that actors themselves choose to adhere to because it is in their own interest to do so. Immaneul Kant- peaceful resolution, no devious tactics, republican constitutions Interactions bound by rules because cooperation is possible and it is in their own interest to do so. John Locke and the concept of social contract concept- rooted in domestic politics. society imposes restrictions on individual conduct and freedom. contractual aspect- we accept it because we expect others to CORE PRINCIPLES: cooperation is possible and beneficial, global politics is a variable sum game, cooperation and democracy are facilitated by interdependence and institutions
Neoliberalism
relies on the systemic level of analysis.
anarchy can be overcome through institution regimes and interdependence.
politics are a variable sum game
regime theory or institutionalism- rules, norms, laws, organizations facilitate cooperation. economic interdependence raise the cost of conflict.
Oran Young- institutions, social practices consisting of roles coupled with rules and conventions. governing relations among the occupants
Denial of realist claims that international cooperation only happens when enforced by a hegemon.
need cooperation- institutions form
Locke- social contracts Hobbes- leviathan to overcome war of all against all
reducing transaction costs creates confidence- choosing cooperation over conflict
Neoliberalism & Democratic Peace Theory
focus on domestic level of analysis
liberal democracies extremely unlikely to go to war against each other because they are accountable to their people
Immanuel Kant and the perpetual peace, constitutional republics would provide a more peaceful international system
How Institutions Promote Cooperation
increase trust
reduce possible state defection
regular communication
Liberalism Individual Level
leaders proclivity to cooperation, the public good and operational codes
Constructivism
the theoretical paradigm that assumes that states are far from rational
NOT ANARCHY- decision determine system
the actors interests and identities are pre-set and known- developing internally.
implication of evolving interests and identities
assumptions, beliefs, behaviors determine affect of the international system
essentially- international actors make their own reality (the way that international actors behave will cause interests and identities to develop)
Rely on sociology and psychology
Exogenously Given Identity
assumption that liberals and realist make that identity is determined externally, imposed rather than derived from within.
Process
series of interactions over time that create a state’s identity
Not preset, Not constant
(CONSTRUCTIVISM)
Carbon Sinks
forests, oceans, reservoirs that absorb and store carbon
Securitization
act by which respected leader names something as a threat so it becomes a government priority
(CONSTRUCTIVISM)
Reification
fallacy of treating something created by people as if it were naturally occurring
encouraging leaders to recognize the effects of their own decision and assumptions
(CONSTRUCTIVISM)
