Consequences of Different Types of State Flashcards
consequences for the global order of different types of state
The wide variety of states can provide opportunities for peace and harmony in the international system but can also post threats to neighbouring states and countries further afield
realist argument about types of state
Realists argue that the type of regime doesn’t affect the state interest all states will always pursue their own national interests whether democratic autocratic or rogue meaning that war and conflict is always inevitable
liberal argument about types of state
Liberals believe that as most states are becoming democratic they share the same interests of promoting peace and stability in the international system meaning that piece is far more likely and the risk of conflict is reduced
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
Inspired by the works of Immanuel Kant and Thomas Paine
Believes that the increasing number of democratic states is an opportunity for peace and corporation
Both Kant and Paine Claimed that republics what we now call democracies are less war-like people do not like war so would not vote for representatives who support conflict
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
The theory received a boost in the late 20th century with Francis
Fukuyama end of history which claims that conflict in the world would decline as more and more states adopt liberal democracy and capitalism
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
Empirical evidence also demonstrates that wars between democracy is a far less common than between other types of state indeed there are areas of the world where democratic states are more numerous and these areas have had long periods of peace including North
America and Europe
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
The norms and values of democracy and its structures are also thought to promote zones of peace
the sharing of democratic values creates a cultural bond between states which makes them likely to see each other as friends rather than enemies
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
Democracy is also promote institutional structures and mechanisms that ensure a peaceful resolution of conflict
Legislatures act as a neutral forum where competing views can be heard and votes are taken to decide which view has won the argument
Elections allow competing candidates and parties to demonstrate their suitability for office
In both legislatures and elections losers accept the result peacefully as they know that they have had a fair opportunity to present their case and by participating in the process they agree to be bound by the outcome
Changes in government take place without violent revolution
Democracy is learning to resolve conflicts peacefully meaning they are willing to exhaust all other possibilities in their dealings with other other states before resorting to conflict
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
On the other hand the existence of non-democratic states autocratic states failed states and rogue states makes the world a more dangerous place
the examples of various types of these states illustrates the dangers that they pose to other states
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
For example North Korea is a rogue state and its position as one of the few remaining states in the world that has chosen to follow a variant of communism that promotes self-sufficiency and autarchy
Puts it at odds with the rest of the world
It does not share the same values or political ideas as its neighbouring countries or countries further afield which leads North Korea to view its neighbours as potential threats which it seeks to minimise through self-imposed seclusion and the development of a nuclear deterrent
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
It’s a unique political system makes dialogue with other countries difficult which inevitably fosters misunderstanding and mutual suspicion
This causes state to react by building up their arms and holding military exercises in the vicinity to deter a potential attack
But North Korea sees this as a threat and often launches missiles to
demonstrate its ability to to defend itself
So far these activities have amounted to nothing more than posturing but such actions can trigger a chain of events that leads to war
For example the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand the heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire led to the outbreak of World War I - a war that redrew the map of Europe
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
Undemocratic and autocratic states threaten global peace when democratic states become concerned about the treatment of citizens
by governments of these states
China and Syria have been heavily criticised by countries like the US and the UK for the treatment of political opponents
in the case of Syria these critics have recognised and supported rebel groups in their bid to topple the Assad regime
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
However the international community does not necessarily agree on what action to take to protect human rights which can lead to delays in humanitarian intervention causing situations to fester and spread to neighbouring states
e.g. Syria
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
The uprising in Syria inspired by the Arab Spring uprising across the Arab world received support from three of the public members of the
UN Security Council the USAUK and France but resolutions calling for the intervention in favour of the uprising were blocked by China and
Russia
This stalemate resulted in a protracted Civil War in which millions of people have fled the country and neighbouring countries like Jordan Lebanon and Turkey have had to accommodate millions of refugees
DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY:
Over 1 million Syrians have made their way to Europe with the help of criminal gangs this has caused in migrant crisis in Europe which of the immense pressure on the public services of Italy and Greece in particular as these countries are the ones that many migrants travel to in an attempt to cross the Mediterranean
Other European countries refuse to take their share of migrants such as the UK and Hungary which strains relations in the EU and leads to domestic discontent from citizens who resent the influx of migrants
