Q10. Long 19th century and modern international relations

Question 1

When did the “Long Peace” occur?

Answer 1

1814 to 1914 in Europe is called the “Long Peace” because of the lack of major warfare in this period.

Question 2

Provide elements of the Long 19th Century

Answer 2

• This was the time when Europe established itself as the global leader through industrialization,
• rational state-building
• ideologies of progress
• These factors led to the breakdown of tradition systems of governance and social organization

this long 19th century destabilized existing forms of order due to the incredible achievements of globalization from Europeans. This led to a period of peace known as the Long Peace in Europe, however it was at the expense of the rest of the world. Slavery was one of the big drivers of this unequal spread of wealth.

Question 3

Consider Industrialization during the Long 19th Century

Answer 3

• economic transformation – creating classes based on wealth.
• Urbanization and migration – this movement towards cities for jobs disrupted the traditional rural communities.
• Social inequality – the creation of wealth-based class systems has led to systematic social inequality. (Let us not forget that racism is a social construct). The creation of a wealthy class versus a working class has led to protests, revolts and revolution.

Question 4

What is rational state building?

Answer 4

the idea that a person of group are intentionally working to create a state, rather than let it come to being on its own (naturally)

Question 5

Consider Rational State building during the Long 19th Century

Answer 5

This led to: the centralization of power – centralizing power has led to the modern day conflicts we see today. States felt they needed to become states in order to compete with other states.

Question 6

Consider the “ideologies of progress” during the Long 19th Century

Answer 6

• ideas of self-determination and **sovereignty **come to mind.
• The idea of a consensual social contract between an individual or group of individual and a government in order to gain trust worthy and reliable protection
• balance of sovereignty versus power has always been tricky and so we see the emergence of power hungry leaders taking over through the centralization of power which occurred during the rational state building.

Negative side of rational state building is allowing power hungry leaders to establish: Hitler, Stalin, Moussolini etc

Question 7

Consider rational state building with regards to IOs.

Answer 7

these ideologies of progress and the rational states also fueled the institutions we have today. The United Nations is run by states based on the idea that all people have natural born human rights. States are the vehicle for working together in the United Nations.