Midterm Flashcards
When did the study of international relations start? Where?
Around 80 years ago in Canada and US
What is globalization?
Increasing interdependance among economies, societies, and cultures on a global level.
Things happening around the world are impacting things happening here.
What are some indicators of globalization?
Division of labour Increased importance of MNC, IGO, MGO, more information economy urbanization migration across state borders Global preference for democracy Preference for liberal trade market
What are some of the bad aspects of globalization?
Loss of cultural diversity and specificity
preoccupation with cyber-security
dependence on telecom and internet
creation of transnational identity groups
Gotta fight against westernization
What did the Treaty of Westphalia bring?
Creation of sovereign states in Europe.
What is sovereignty?
Supreme, independant political authority answerable to no higher authority.
How does power affect sovereignty?
How does globalization affect sovereignty?
Examples
The more power you have, the more sovereign you are.
Countries are interdependent, so things I can’t do because of the alliance, etc.
- Germany couldn’t act against Russia in the beginning of the war because of the pipelines that were being built
- China cant act against Russia because signed an agreement
- US can do watever they want because they have power
What are the three spheres of international relations?
Society of states (govt, states, power)
Market ($$)
Civil society (people, movements, values, groups)
What books did Thomas Hobbes write?
The Leviathan
Explain what does the Leviathan say?
He says that if two people want to have the same thing - they can’t both have it. So they will become enemies.
Humans are always in conflict because hardwired to compete, fear, and glory. No one is immune or exception.
War is inevitable because no common power to keep everyone in check.
Global peace is temporary if at all.
What is realpolitik?
Rational politics. We suspend values/moral beliefs for interests.
What we do is not guided by morals or values but by self-interest.
The only reason ill be nice is if it’s convenient & doesn’t hurt me.
Pragmatic: I focus on calculations over emotions.
Alliance is only if each party is equally afraid of each other
When did realpolitik come to be?
Unification of Germany.
18 January 1871
Niccolo Machiavelli, what did he write? Explanation
He wrote The Prince.
Playbook on how to be a leader. How to rule. Comes from art of war.
Peace is only a a pause, defaut setting is war. Peace is only a pause to rebuild the army.
Von Bismarck writing.
Coined Realpolitik as real political concept.
Says: real way to settle thing is iron and blood.
Agreements are temporary,
Han Morgan Morgentnaw writing.
Official father of realism.
Power is absolute, the more you have, the less I have. State always pursue power.
What is power for realists?
Resources: water, mineras, waterways, nuclear, landaccess, population (healthy, young, educated), vibrant economy, data
Military power
Realists view on UN?
Doesn’t work because state sovereignty.
UN is not a government its a book club and if it doesn’t fit my interest than ill just leave.
What are the 3 core assumptions of realism? Explain each
1- Anarchy exists in world politics
There is no higher authority to keep everyone in check. So people will act according to their nature which is to be selfish, looking for glory, etc.
2- States are sovereign
Principle value. States do not want other people to mess with their sovereignty. Whats mine is mine and dont touch my shit or my people.
3- States are rational unitary actors.
Little room for civil society. States are the most important aspect in international relations. There is not place for emotions in politics because what is right doesnt work. I will act according to my self-interest. Means justifies the end. This also means that states act as one. One state is one piece on the chess board (no civil society).
Explain from a realist point of view why many countries don’t legitimize the international court of law?
Because they believe that States are sovereign. Dont mess with my sovereinty.
Explain balance of power?
Early war or during peace time, gotta make sure that no state overtakes the system.
So if one big state does something, bunch of tinier states will come back against them.
Explain bandwagoning.
Joining sides with the winning team. More common with weak states and allies.
What are the main criticism to realism?
Costly (arms, economic power)
Say that cooperation is impossible but how do they explain globalization.
Name the 5 alternative to realism.
Liberalism Idealism Constructivism Feminism Neo-Marxism
Idealism: Who is the philosopher? What are the 3 elements necessary to have peace in their opinion?
Immanuel Kant
1- Federation of free states (if all of us are committed to peace and security)
2- Spirit of commerce (alliances based on common interests to do well economically)
3- Commit republican government (common values inside our own homes). If we all have the same system of government.