Geopolitical intervention Flashcards
What is development aid?
Financial aid is given to support long-term economic, political, social and environmental development.
In the 1970s, the UN general election adopted a resolution under which wealthy countries agreed to commit 0.7% of their GNI to development aid. The UK made it legally binding in 2015.
Development aid can be bilateral (from one country to another) or multilateral where donor countries give aid to IGOs (like IMF of World Bank) who then distribute the aid. (this is typically favoured as it limits the influence one country has over how the aid money is used. Despite this countries like the USA have more voting power in such IGOs)
Since 2000, ODA has increased by 82.5%, and by 2015 totalled 146.68bn. Despite the US being the largest donor of ODA, it still doesn’t reach the 0.7% target.
What are Trade embargoes?
Trade embargoes are government or international bans which restrict trade with a particular country. This can be, for example, an arms embargo - which was used in Libya in 2011 in response to the government’s violations of human rights. They may also hinder a country’s economy. They are imposed to encourage a country to change its policies or actions.
During the 1960s, the USA imposed embargoes on Cuba to stop the spread of Sino-Soviet Communism which has yet to be lifted. The US has forbidden the export of medical technology using American components, this has resulted in medicine shortages in Cuba.
What is military aid?
This consists of supplying money, weapons equipment or expertise to a country to help them protect their border, fight terrorism and combat piracy or drug and human trafficking. It can also be given to opposition to authoritarian governments which violate their people’s human rights. As of 2016, countries are allowed to include military aid as part of their 0.7& GNI committed to development aid.
What is military action?
This is considered to be a last resort when all other methods have failed. Military action can be:
Direct - for example the use of air strikes or sending troops to fight as seen in 2003 with the invasion of IRaq
Indirect - for example providing military assistance such as British army personnel training Nigerian forces to improve the country’s security and fight the Boko Haram in 2017.
Aims of different NGOs through intervention?
Amnesty International - Investigate and expose abuses of human rights. It also challenges governments and powerful bodies as well as attempts to ensure the UDHR is fully implemented and educates people about their rights as a human.
Human Rights Watch (formerly the Helsinki Watch) - Initially formed to ensure compliance with the Helsinki Accord. Has a similar role to Amnesty International
Oxfam - Initially found to deal with hunger following the Second World War. today it aims to lift people out of poverty and improve health by assisting people affected by conflicts, natural disasters. it also campaigns on multiple issues such as women’s rights and the resolution of conflicts
Medicins Sand Frontieres (MSF - translates to Doctors without Borders) - Aims to deliver medical care to people affected by conflict regardless of religion, race or political persuasion
Why are there disagreements over if intervention is justified?
- The perceived reason for intervention may be different from the intervening countries intention - e.g they may be looking to exploit resources
- Disagreements over whether the intervention is appropriate/required
-Threatens national sovereignty
- Opposing views over whether the desired outcome is likely or if intervention will worsen the situation.
The responsibility to protect.
in 2005, the UN made a resolution stating that each country has a responsibility to protect its citizens. If this national responsibility fails then the responsibility falls to the international community
US UK and French intervention in Libya
Following Libya’s independence in 1951, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi seized power in 1969. During his rule he committed multiple human rights violations including
- The use of indiscriminate bombings
- Public executions
- Persecution and attempted ethnic cleansing of the Amzigh, Toubou and Tuareg
- The use of torture
However, it was the repressing of protestors in 2011, inspired by the arab spring, which killed hundreds that resulted in the UN urging Libya’s government to meet its responsibility to protect its citizens. When this failed, the US, UK and France issued trade embargoes and conducted air strikes, as well as supported rebel groups until Gaddafi was killed in October 2011.
Other members of the UN Security Council including Brazil, Russia, China, Germany and India abstained from the vote to intervene.
Libya’s post-Gadaffi era has been incredibly unstable as many areas are outside of the government’s official control. Additionally, there are many Islamic, rebel and tribal militias across the country which seek to obtain power.
The UK’s Development Aid Cuts
The British Labour Party wants to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GNI by 2027. This has led to its aid budget being reduced from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI with plans of cutting this further to 0.3%. This may have many impacts such as:
Halts to HIV/Aids drug programmes
Less humanitarian work in refugee camps, hospitals and healthcare centres
-Fewer landmines cleared in South Sudan
As China is not cutting its aid budget, there are also worries that China will increase its influence on these developing nations as it continues to supply aid.
