Midterm #2- International Relations Flashcards
What is international Law
International law is the body of rules and norms that regulate different types of interactions
Ex: interactions between states and IGOs interactions with states
What are the functions of International law?
The functions of international law are that..
1. it set expectations on how to behave
2. sets order
3. helps with disputes
4. describes what is socially okay
5. protects the status quo
What is domestic law
Domestic law is hierarchical system that established top power
ex: police over citizens
What is international law
In International law there is no hierarchy there is just horizontal system meaning everyone is in equal footing
What are the sources of international law? And what do they do? What’s the limit ?
The sources of international law=
1. Customary law: When a hegemon ( sole state) or states solve a problem creating a habit that becomes ingrained
LIMIT of customary law= it is a lengthy process since it takes multiple cases for it to be a custom, some customs can be outdated, customs can change, and they can be ambiguous ( interpreted differently) because it isn’t written
- Treaties: This is the main source of international law that has a written down agreement between states that clearly has rules and obligations. Once radicalized it is LEGALLY BINDING
- Alternative International Bodies
- Some international law bodies can create law ex: United Nations Security Council
- Some can incite customary law–> United Nations Law commission
- courts: International courts justices (ICJ)
What are the five thing treaties do ?
The five thing treaties do is…
1. define what constitutes a treaty
2. lay out rules for how to create a treaty
3. describes the operations of a treaty
4. lay out the rules for filling reservations
5. lay out the procedure for termination/ suspending treaties
How is a treaty created and when is it legally binding?
Steps of treaties:
1- negociation, 2- adopt, 3- signature, 4- ratification, 5- enters into force, 6- acceding
- a treaty becomes legally binding only through ratification even if you sign does not mean it is binding till it is ratified
- acceding means even after treaty has entered into force you can still enter it and ratify.
What are the two roles of the International Courts of Justices (ICJ)? What are the ICJ limits?
The two roles of the ICJ..
- Contentious cases = deal with controversial disputes, ruling is legally binding
- give opinions when asked by the UNGA or UNSC (not legally binding)
The ICJ limit=
- no compulsurary jurisdiction meaning that in order to address a case both parties mist agree to the ICJ jurisdiction
- only states can incite proceedings
- not all states comply
- it only hears out a couple of cases
What are some of the compliance and enforcements
- Vertical Enforcement: institutions enforcing law in different way depending if they are above or below the state level
- Horizontal enforcement processes where states work together to elicit compliance by other states via power and reciprocity
ex: weaker state comply with stronger states or compliance through tit for tat ( reciprocity) - self-interest: states will comply in participating in making treaties and rules because…
- it is in their self-interest to do so since it is only this way that they can make sure their interest are seen.
- They will comply because they benefit knowing other state comply so they will also comply.
- They find it beneficial to lock in their commitments for tranquility - Norms and Ethics:
Norms: treaties are created to uphold norms so they are compelled to enforce them so they can be seen as legitimate
Ethic: states follow the rules because it is the right things to do
What is Vertical enforcement
Vertical Enforcement: legal process which you can force an actor to comply with through the use of enforcement
ex: institutions above state level can enforce through sanctions such as the ICJ and ECJ
BUT
If institutions are below state then they can enforce via universal jurisdiction which is when a actor heinously violates a rule such a humanity rights or through case rulings in states territory with citing international law
What is Horizontal enforcement?
Horizontal enforcement processes where states work together to elicit compliance by other states via power and reciprocity
ex: weaker state comply with stronger states or compliance through tit for tat ( reciprocity)
What are the bodies of international law?
- criminal law
- Law of the Sea
What is criminal law?
- A body of the international law that include treaties related to…
1. procedural issues: info sharing, evidence gathering issues
2. substantive transnational: drug trafficking issues
3. extradition issues: extradition issues must meet the 3 provision of the person extradited must be charged with crime in both states, not be political in nature, and must be tried with reason for extradition.
What is the Law of the Sea?
The Law of the Sea is a treaty that deal with maritime zones and state boarders ( laws regarding resources and fishing )
What is the territorial waters? What is included in the territorial waters?
The territorial waters is part of the Law of the Sea which include…
1. Baseline - just a trace of the state interwaters with full sovereignty
2. Territorial Sea- 12 nautic miles that can only have innocent passing from other state thus no spying, fishing, etc is allowed
3. Contiguous Zone: 24 nautical miles where sovereignty starts to diminish and you just have jurisdiction over crimes committed in area
What is the EEZ “ Exclusive Economic Zone”
The EEZ is the 200 nautic miles extending which the state has no sovereignty and you just have fishing and mining rights
What is economic liberalism and what are its arguments and types of policy it supports?
Economic Liberalism:
- believes in free market that regulates itself
- thinks competition is good
- gov/state involvement should be limited
- comparative advantage = states benefit from trading thing they are specialized in and can produce most efficiently
- believes trade is good for innovation
Policies:
“ Washington Consensus”
–> privatization , fiscal discipline, and property rights
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
–> lending money for stability
- World Bank
–> tends to lend poor states for reconstructions and development with low interest rate and seen as most reliable.
What is economic nationalism and what are the policies it supports ?
Economi nationalism…
- zero sum = states must compete for wealth
- international system must compere for power
- states should intervene in market
- ROOT: Mercantilism ( wealth built from silver and gold, and government pursued of self interest) and that politics dominate economics law.
Approach: “ Beijing Consensus” - idea built on China’s development experience including innovation, direct government ownership, less US interferences, political goals of self determinism
policies:
- Asia Infrastructure: Investment Bak which loan designed to stimulate long term growth with infrastructure related to energy, transportation, and water
- New Development Bank
–> designed by BRICS , loans and participation to support public and private projects
What are fiscal policies ?
Fiscal policies are an effect on government policies like revenue and expidenture policies that are meant to stimulate the the economy
Ex:
- it can increase spending by decreasing tax
OR
- it can slow down the economy/ budget by cutting it and increasing tax
What happens when The economy is in a recession, with high unemployment and slow economic growth.
In a fiscsal policy
The government implements expansionary fiscal policy by increasing public spending on infrastructure projects (like building roads and bridges) and cutting income taxes to encourage consumer spending.
- increase in government spending stimulates demand for goods and services, which helps businesses hire more workers and boosts overall economic activity.
The economy is overheating, with high inflation and demand outpacing supply, leading to rising prices.
fiscal policy
The government introduces contractionary fiscal policy by cutting back on public sector spending and raising taxes to reduce disposable income.
- Reduced demand helps slow down inflation by limiting excess spending, which stabilizes prices and cools the economy.
What are monetary policies ?
Monetary policies are policies that control money supply via printing money and manipulation of interest rates
Ex: they can increase money supply by buying more government bonds and lowering interest rates
- they can decrease money supply by selling gov bonds and increaseing interest rates
Ex of monetary policy: The economy is in a slowdown, with low growth and high unemployment. Consumer spending is weak, and businesses are hesitant to invest.
the central bank (e.g., the Federal Reserve) implements expansionary monetary policy by lowering interest rates and increasing the money supply through open market operations (buying government bonds).
- Outcome: lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper for consumers and businesses, encouraging spending and investment.
As borrowing increases, demand for goods and services rises, helping to boost economic activity and reduce unemployment.
Ex of monetary policy: The economy is experiencing high inflation, with prices rising quickly due to too much demand and too little supply. People are spending rapidly, which further pushes prices up.
- The central bank implements contractionary monetary policy by raising interest rates and reducing the money supply through open market operations (selling government bonds).
- Outcomes:
Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive, reducing consumer spending and business investment.
As spending slows, demand for goods and services decreases, helping to reduce inflationary pressure and stabilize prices.
What is the exchange rate policy
The exchange rate policy is the price of one currency over another state in which the price of one currency is related to another
ex exchange rate policy: The national currency of a country (say, the dollar) is weakening significantly against other currencies, making imports more expensive and increasing inflation. This could hurt consumers and businesses that rely on foreign goods and services.
The central bank or government decides to implement a managed exchange rate policy, also known as a dirty float, where they intervene in the foreign exchange market to stabilize the currency. The central bank sells its foreign currency reserves (such as US dollars) to buy its own currency (the national currency) to increase its value and support the exchange rate. This increases the demand for the national currency, helping it appreciate.
- Outcome : By boosting the value of the national currency, the government reduces inflationary pressure from higher import prices.
It also stabilizes the exchange rate, making foreign trade more predictable for businesses and consumers.
what are current accounts ?
Current accounts are measures between…
net boarder ( export - imports) + net gov transfer ( foreign aid) + net income capital investments ( interest, divided earnings) + net payment of foreign holders of country’s investment
what are capitol accounts?
Capital account measures
net flow of portfolio investments (transfer of money to buy stockholders) + net flows of foreign direct investments ( capital flow of buying construction in another country)
what do both current account and capitol accounts do?
Both capitol account and current account make up the balance of payments which if all added together and it equals zero then more is going out then coming in
if its a (-) –> means account deficit meaninf you need to borrow money from other countries so capital surplus can balance out
if its a (+) then it means your account is surplus needing you to investment somewhere so it can balance out account deficit
What are the roles of MNCs?
Multinational corporations see to avoid tariffs and import carries and make transportation easier to cut cost and meet competition and at times oversees to avoid gov regulation
What is the World Bank
The world bank ( liberal) is was first designed to facilitate reconstruction after WW2 but now it is used to borrow out money from its member states contribution to poor states in order to help with reconstruction and development projects
- comes with conditions from SAP
What is the IMF
international Monetary Fund (liberal) ensure stability the International monetary system by giving out loans in foreign currency to buy up local currency and decrease supply while increasing local currency
- comes with conditions form SAP
What is the General Trade Agreement
GATT goal is to promote trade through the agreement of states lowering barriers on trade like quotas and tariff
principles:
1. most favored principle - cannot discriminate between states meaning that all members must be treated the same
2. preferential access not allowed
3. support national agreement
–> it is now known as the WTO ( world trade organization) for renegociaton, trade review, disputes and enforcement
What is the Sustainable Development Approach ?
Sustainable development approach:
Is an economic development that incorporated environmental concerns for renewable resources
- UN 2030 Agenda that was passed by the UNGA
- included 17 SFGs ( goals) that are meant to be reached by 2030
- funding for goals come from partnerships and private sectors
- SFGs include poverty, health, education, inequality, gender inequality, environment protection, and economic growth
What are IGOs
intergovernmental organizations were established by states and members of government states in which they help in cooperation via regulation and rules
- they bring transparency upon states and states must align with IGOs in order to gain benefit, if they die they will typically get replaced
- Solve tragedy of the commons and cooperation
ex: World Bank and UN
What is the United Nations
The United Nations (UN): I
- Is the product of the league of Nations ( goal was to end war but later failed to due so because lack of great power)
principals:
1) Sovereign equality of all members (based on all members having vote in GA)
2) Only international problems fall within jurisdiction –> no domestic state problems unless asked/ approved by state
states should avoid the use of force and settle things peacefully
What is the structure of the UN
–> UNSC and UNGA
The UN has its
1. UNGA= United Nations General Assembly
- includes all state members ( 193)
- all states get a vote and there are no vetoes
- deals with issues regarding UN Charter
- NO binding decisions
- its a space to air out ideas, complaints, and debate issues or evaluate budget
- UNSC- United Nations security council
- deals with issues only relating to international peace and security
- has BINDING decision
- has ability to use force against state who violates peace
- has 15 members ( 5 permanent members who have ability to veto and 10 additional members depending on regions and are elected into two terms )
- resolutions require 9 votes and 0 vetoes
- 5 permanent members include China, US, UK , Russia, and France
What are the obligations of UN
member states?
Member states must..
- not use force against another to resolve disputes art 4
- pay dues and carry out decision of the UNSC
What are the UN obligations to the institution?
The United Nations must…
1. respect the sovereignty of all members ( soveign equality and rule of non intervention meaning it cannot intervene in domestic issues unless consented by state government and if corollary they must leave)
What is the EU
The European Union
- started with the cooperation of coal and steal
- is from the European Economic community
they can make laws for member states which are required to be implemented even if states votes against it and if they do not follow they may be punished ( fined)
What is the institution of the EU ?
- what is the European council
- European commission
- council of the EU
- European parliament
- Court of Justices EU
- European central bank
The institution of the EU
1. European Council
- members are head of government for each state and it defines general political direction and priorities of the EU meaning it only has executive function
DOES NOT PASS LAWS
2. European Commission
- members are commissioners form each state and they propose new EU laws and can propose punishment
- their goal is to prompt the general interest of the EU thus they represent EU
3. Council of EU
- members= ministers from each state that negotiate the adoption of EU laws with parliament based on the commission proposal
4. European Parliament- members are elected by citizens making it the only democratic institutions
- roles is to pass EU law with the council, review commission work m and propose legislation
- established EU budget
5. Court of Justices EU
- judicial branch including court of justices and general court that interpret and apply law via settling disputes with companies, states, and individual
6. European Central Bank
- manages EURO and implements EU monetary policy; its members are governors of central bank members
What is the African Union and its goals?
The Au ( African union)
- an organization that replaces the African
- has 55 members
- Unity thats original goal was to fight decolonization and continent apartheid to NOW wanting an increase in cooperation for African states to grow and economically develop
What are NGOS
Nongovernmental organizations
- Are private voluntary organizations that are made up of members that come together for a common purpose
- typically advocate for specific policies
- they rely on soft power - the influence/ pursuacion to change behavior
What is the WTO and its obligations?
The World Trade organization
- Is the expansion of the GATT with same principals
Obligations of WTO members:
1. market access: tariffs cannot discriminate and there can be schedules of concession meaning that there are legally binding tariffs
2. National treatment: meaning you cannot discriminate between WTO members and not discriminate o domestic producers vs producers from other WTO states
