Global Politics Flashcards
Can you give an action of a nation which impacts others?
trade
How does the government differ from national/global governing?
National: Government with a clear mandate
Global: No global government and no clear mandate
How does the legislation Government differ from national/global governing?
National: Laws are developed and enforced
Global: Optional laws and treaties
How does the judiciary differ from national/global governing?
National: Courts and police enforce laws
Global: No enforcing
How do institutions differ from national/global governing?
National: Institutions with a separation of powers.
Global: Institution decisions can be ignored (SUMMITS)
What are the 3 actors in global politics?
- NGOs (OXFAM)
- IGOs (EU, NATO)
- Nation States
What is the basic principle of Realism?
States are governed by their own national interest.
Give 2 differences between Liberalism and Realism on Human Nature?
- Lib: Optimistic
- Real: Selfish and Egotistical
- Lib: Mouldable
- Real: Fixed
What are security dilemmas?
When Country A builds its defences which comes across as offensive leading to Country B building theirs in retaliation. This creates tension.
How does Liberalism view Global Politics?
States interests are linked and interdependent, best advanced though IGOs to achieve common objectives.
Give 4 reasons to why Realism relates to Anarchical World Order?
- States act rationally in self interest
- It is natural that global gov. has conflict
- Security dilemma created by global anarchy
- Authority of IGOs should be reduced.
What does IGO stand for?
Inter Governmental Organisation
Who are the 4 Realism thinkers?
- Waltz
- Bull
- Morgenthall
- Mearsheimer
What does Waltz think, and what is the book name?
1979 THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
-Defensive Realism thinker who believes that bipolarity rather than multipolarity is more stable as countries can negotiate.
What does Bull think, and what is the book name?
1977 THE ANARCHAL THEORY
- A society of states operate in spite of anarchy by noticing that states have common interest.
What does Morgenthall think, and what is the book name?
1948 POLITICS AMONG NATIONS
- A classical realist thinker who claims man will try to dominate and so moral considerations are seen as more important that national interests
What does Mearsheimer think, and what is the book name?
2001 THE TRAGEDY OF GREAT POWER POLITICS
- An offensive realist thinker who believed all states are trying to achieve hegemony and conflict will continue forever.
What is Hegemony?
Domination
Why do Realists believe that conflict is inevitable? give 4 reasons.
- States maximise power and influence
- States are selfish
- World is anarchic and there is no higher authority
- Security dilemma
Why do Realists believe in the superiority of states? Give 4 reasons
- IGOs only exist from state birth, and states can leave
- States often act independently
- States will often deal behind the scenes rather than at the ‘talk’
- Free trade only exists as the states have agreed to it.
What is international anarchy?
States are self-contained units which frequently crash with one another.
Give 3 reasons to explain why States are seen as more effective according to Realists?
- IGO have limited effectiveness
- Nation States ensure IGOs don’t usurp national interest
- International law is weak
Can you give an example of 3 Anarchical world Orders in action?
- 2003 Iraq War
- China 9 Dash Line
- Russia annexation of Crimea
How does the Iraq war relate to the World Order being Anarchical?
USA and its allies launched an invasion into Iraq to disarm it, but before the UN has investigated whether it was already disarming. Russia and France urged USA to wait but this was ignored and so the USA and UK went in together.
The legality of the war was questioned, especially by Annan (2004) who claimed it didn’t follow the charter so was illegal. However, this was ignored and nothing came of it.
How does the China 9 Dash Line relate to the World Order being Anarchical?
- China built Spratly Islands to gain more EEZ
- UN argued in 2013 that China was not abiding by law but China ignored it and labelled it as unlawful.
How does the Russia annexation of Crimea relate to the World Order being Anarchical?
Russia wanted to reclaim the warm water port in Sevastopol so Russian backed military entered the Crimea region of Ukraine. Russia claimed it was working in its own self-interest, and the UN was unable to do anything as Russia is a permanent member of the security council, meaning it can veto.
What type of state do realists claim would be the safest?
Unipolar or Bipolar (1/2 dominant states)
How has the USA become less powerful in recent years?
Since 9/11 the USA has become less powerful. This links to the rise of China, Terrostists such as IS ans Russia which is evidence of a multipolar design.
Under Obama, who would you think win between USA and Russia- and why?
The USA has more military, but was less likely to use them. Whereas Russia would be likely to as they’re less bothered about moral decisions.
How does Liberalism and Realism vary in their ideas of power?
Liberalism- The use of power may be counter productive and so soft and smart power should be used first. Global interdependence is important and reduces conflict.
Realism- Powerful states will overcome weaker states as a states primary goal is to have power and authority. Hard power is the most important.
What is Hard Power?
States are militarily strong with economic force and use this as a resolver of conflict.
Which theory likes the idea of Hard Power?
Realism
What is soft power?
The attractiveness of culture and the political system. This has become increasingly important due to globalisation.
What is smart power?
A state which uses both hard and soft power, such as Obama in the middle east.
Which theory prefers soft power and smart power?
Liberals
Why did Russia feel threatened by NATO?
Putin claimed that the growth of NATO after the WW2 threatened its borders due to nearby countries joining. Russia was not invited to join so caused it to feel threatened. It sees the security dilemma in action, which is shown by Russia rebuilding a strong army and to flex its strength (Crimea).
In 2017, which other president undermined NATO?
Trump because he called it obsolete and that individuals would not get support from the USA unless members paid their own fare share.
Give 2 countries which joined NATO and cause Russia to feel threatened?
Estonia and Latvia, as well as 10 of the other Warsaw pact members.
Can you give 3 of the main beliefs that Liberals hold regarding States?
- Power is not a zero sum gain
- International agreements and laws are positive
- Nation states should work together
Who are the 3 Liberal thinkers in Global Politics?
- Keohane
- Ohmae
- Fukuyama
What did Keohane suggest?
(After Hegemony) The nation states are interdependent an dare not driven by nation interest as it is rational to cooperate. Institutions which try to support this are effective.
What did Ohmae suggest?
(The end of nation states) Globalisation caused a shift in all 4 areas due to the decline of nation states.
What did Fukuyama suggest?
(The end of history and the last man) The end of the Cold War and Soviet Union’s collapse signalled the triumph of the Liberal Democracy.
What does Globalisation mean?
The increased links with states across trade, culture, communication and technology.
Using Hillary Clintons 2016 Presidential Speech, can you give 3 reasons which show she represents Liberal values?
- Retain partnerships with IGOs.
- Used smart power/ threatened to.
- Prefers diplomacy over conflict.
How have economies impacted Globalisation?
Rapid increase of communication and ease of transportation have increased trade which is supported by the WTO rules to increase trading.
How have politics impacted Globalisation?
There has been an increased role for international organisations due to the growth in global challenges.
How have social impacts linked to Globalisation?
Former isolated countries are now exposed to travel and the internet content, as well as general increase in migration.
Who began the WTO?
UN
What is the Cobweb Model?
It shows how all the areas of Globalisation link.
Which Model does the Cobweb model contrast?
The Realist Billiard Ball model.
What kind of power did Obama use when he was battling the Middle Eastern conflict?
Smart
Given an example of how Obama used Smart Power when battling the Middle Eastern conflict?
In his 2009 Cairo speech he talked about the importance of Islamic culture- countering Bush’s ‘War on Terror’ campaign which aggravated Middle East. However, he did use military power to deploy fighter drones after US hostages were beheaded by the so called IS.
What is the Schengen Agreement?
An agreement which enables all EU citizens to get free movement.
Which is the agreement which enables free movement in the EU?
- Schengen Agreement
- Belgium Agreement
- Slavic Agreement
- Schengen Agreement
What are the 3 ways in which Liberals believe that conflict could be reduced?
- Democracy
- IGOs
- Economic interdependance
Can you give 3 of the views that Realists hold on States and Sovereignty?
- States are the primary and most important actors
- Sovereignty is key and shouldn’t be given away unless another states sovereignty is infringing on national interest.
- States should be wary of IGOs and bargain for VETO powers.
Can you give 3 of the views that Liberals hold on States and Sovereignty?
- States are important but work in a web of other actors like IGOs
- Sovereignty is used to a states advantage such as pooling in an IGO.
- Another states sovereignty may be infringed to protect international law.
Who came up with the idea of the Kantian Triangle?
Immanuel Kant. He claimed ‘Republican constitutions, commercial trade and a system of international law fosters peaceful relations within states.
What is the role of the Kantian Triangle?
- It helps us understand links with the strengthening trade.
- It shows how to contribute to peaceful solutions.
Can you give an example of how an IGO has promoted democracy and democratic values?
The EU has been reluctant to let Turkey become a member due to its counts of Human Rights issues.
Can you give 4 examples of how conflict dominates global politics?
- Conflict exists in all forms
- There has been a rise in terrorism since 9/11
- Conflict is limited but does exist
- Civil wars are increasing
Can you give 3 examples of how cooperation dominates global politics?
- Complex interdependence
- Increase in IGOs to offer peaceful solutions.
- International efforts to restore shared challenges
Since what year has there been a growth in IGOs?
1945
What does the R2P stand for?
The Un Responsibility to Protect
When was the R2P introduced?
2005
Why was the R2p introduced?
During and after the Rwandan genocide the UN released the doctrine that other states should have a responsibility to intervene and prevent suffering.
What did Blair outline in his Chicago 1999 speech?
That USA should continue to support other countries in resolving issues.
Give 3 reasons which suggest how democracy does contribute to peace?
- Civil war is less common in states with internal democracy
- Democratic countries need to win elections so are less likely to create conflict which risks votes.
- Wars must be seen as legit as people can be held accountable (Blair 2003)
Give 4 reasons which suggest how democracy does contribute to peace?
- A democratic decision to not become involved in conflict may not result in peace
- During 2003, 2 democratic countries entered into the Iraq war which was later deemed as illegal.
- Blair and Clinton did win the elections after the unrest in Iraq.
- No democracy is perfect
Can you give an example of how the decision to not become involved in conflict or war resulted in further conflict?
The UK and USA were argued that they should’ve entered into a war to remove Assad in 2013.
What did Blair claim after NATOs intervention in Kosovo?
States work with international communities more often than in their own national interest.
true or false: Liberals argue that some states do not work in their own national interest such as when giving AID.
true
true or false: Liberals argue that human rights are worth defending regardless of national interest. This also promotes liberal values.
true
Who came up with the idea of the “End of History”?
Fukuyama in 1989
What was the general idea of the “End of History”?
It proposed that mankind’s ideological theories were over and that Liberal democracy has come out victorious. This was due to the collapse of the Soviet Union as well as the End of the Cold war.
Can you give me the 6 reasons which suggests why Fukuyama believed we were at the “End of History”?
- Capitalist Creep was occurring (greater democratic, individual and economic freedoms).
- To be prosperous, even communist states needed some capitalist values.
- There is an end of ideological struggle.
- Islam would not impact us due to constraints of the religion of the state.
- Cold war and collapse of the S. Union
- Western liberal democracy is ultimate.
Can you give 3 examples of how Fukuyama’s views of the End of History have been countered?
- It directly challenges the Marxist thinking.
- 9/11 there has been a clash of civilisations rather than ideologies (Huntington).
- It is dangerous to assume the best system of gov. is USA style as it failed to work when implemented in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003 and 2001 respectively.
Can you give 4 features of China?
- It is the 2nd largest global economy
- No independent media outlets
- It curtails human rights (according to 2016 Human Rights watch report)
- It is a single party state with no opposition
What 3 economic freedoms have been introduced in China by Xiaoping?
- Agriculture is now privately owned.
- China opened to foreign investments.
- Private individuals can pen businesses.
How does China argue that economic freedom with limited political freedom aids the country?
It prevents the country from being held back. This has been shown by the 10% increase of economic growth from 1989. However, this growth has not been evenly spread to individuals as GDP per Capita (2016) was 7x higher in USA to China even with less manufacturing.
What year was the pro-democracy protest held in China, and what was the outcome?
1989 and it led to 200 deaths in just one city- Tiananmen Square. This led to the reversal of some freedoms such as a clamp down on media access.
What percentage of Chinese people are suggested to be MC by 2022?
75% but there is still discontent which has led to land seizures.