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Global Politics > Remember the Information > Flashcards

Remember the Information Flashcards

1
Q

Who are they key actors in contemporary global politics?

A

States, international institutions of global governance, transnational corporations (TNCs) and non-state actors.

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2
Q

Why are states the principal actor in global politics?

A

The state is the principal actor within global politics because the world (with few exceptions) is divided into these political communities; however, its power and influence is being challenged.

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3
Q

What are the challenges to sovereignty and why do they occur?

A

The challenges to the sovereignty of states arise from regional organisations, contested and changing state borders, and issues and crises which require multilateral action. Such issues have arisen because security is no longer limited to border protection and has expanded to include such things as financial instability, human crises and environmental challenges.

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4
Q

Why are institutions of global governance so important?

A

The omnipresent security dilemma faced by states, and revised notions of ‘security’, have amplified moves towards global governance. International institutions of global governance are central to cooperative action because they establish, manage and facilitate relations between states through their institutional processes, protocols and legal arrangements

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5
Q

What is the trend of ‘people power’ and public opinion?

A

There is a growing significance of ‘people power’ and public opinion, which have been facilitated by dramatic changes in communications and technology.

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6
Q

What is it about TNCs that make them important within global politics and the global economy?

A

Facilitated by advances in technology and communication, TNCs have expanded their role and activities on a grand scale, affecting most areas of human life. TNCs are controversial actors, considered by some to be predators, exploitative of human rights and the environment, and by others as drivers of progress and innovation.

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7
Q

Define ‘nation’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Groups of people claiming common bonds based on culture, language and history. Some nations have their own state, such as the Japanese, whilst others want their own state such as the Tibetans and Kurds.

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8
Q

Define ‘state’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Traditionally the central actor in international relations, states possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. States are not necessarily culturally homogenous, for example Australia.

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9
Q

Define ‘sovereignty’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. Primary organising principle of global politics which provides states with the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (for example, secessionist groups) or externally (for example, one state invades another).

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10
Q

Define ‘power’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

The ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor. Power can be exercised in a range of types and forms.

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11
Q

Define ‘global governance’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek
to facilitate cooperation, and manage relations, between states. Governance is carried out by both governmental organisations such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations such as the International Criminal Court.

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12
Q

Define ‘multilateralism’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

System of coordinating relations between three or more states, usually in pursuit of objectives in particular areas.

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13
Q

Define ‘public opinion’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Sentiment shared by the people. Can be an important factor in influencing the foreign policy decisions of governments.

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14
Q

Define ‘globalisation’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

The acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital which promote global interdependence. This acceleration and intensification has been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology. Globalisation has widespread impact on social, political, economic and cultural life.

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15
Q

What are the aims and objectives of states?

A
  • –> Territorial integrity and the continuation of state sovereignty
    i. Protect borders
    ii. Ensure economic sustainability and growth
    iii. Motivates to form alliances
    iv. Domestic peace and stability
  • –> Improving its international standing to help it influence other states
  • –> Individual national interests
    i. Geo-political or strategic
    ii. Economic and trade
    iii. Being perceived as a good international citizen
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16
Q

What is the role of the state?

A

—> To meet the needs of its citizens
i. Security
ii. Justice
iii. Freedom
iv. Order
v. Welfare
—> Ability to fulfil role varies widely
i. Developed vs developing
ii. Failed states e.g. Chad
• Ethnic clashes, banditry and fighting between government and rebel groups
• Forced est. 180,000 Chadians from home in past 3 years
• 1 out of 5 children die before the age of 5
• Ranked 5th of Foreign Policy Mag index of failed states

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17
Q

What is the power and influence of the state?

A

EXAMPLES OF POWER:

  • –> The USA has influence and authority over such institutions as the UN, WTO and IMF: holds veto power in SC, ignored WTO Brazil cotton decision, holds 16.75% of votes in IMF = veto (needs at least 15% to veto important decisions)
  • –> States have ultimate sovereignty and remain ‘masters of treaties’
  • –> UN challenges state power with sanctions e.g. no-fly zone over Libya, resolution 1973

NOT SO POWERFUL:
—> IMF imposed economic conditions on Greece
—> TNCs, control 1/3rd of world trade, if Wal-Mart were a state would be China’s 8th largest trade partner
—> Third agenda issues mean states must work multilaterally and abdicate sovereignty e.g. 2008
—> Convention on Cluster Munitions (legislative sovereignty impinged upon)
Overall: While the state maintains ultimate authority on the global political arena, its power isn’t what it used to be.

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18
Q

List the international institutions of global governance.

A

UN, ICC, WTO, IMF

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19
Q

What are the aims and objectives of the United Nations?

A
  • –> Maintain international peace and security (e.g. by imposing no-fly zone over Libya)
  • –> Develop friendly relation between member states
  • –> Work collectively to solve problems of poverty, illiteracy, disease, environmental destruction and encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms (e.g. work of the UNDP)
  • –> Be a centre of helping nations achieve these aims
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20
Q

What is the role of the United Nations?

A
  • –> Based on keeping international peace and acts as observer of economic, social and human rights conditions
  • –> Acts as administrative organisation as well as a diplomatic mediator
  • –> Role in world affairs, irreplaceable by any other organisation
  • –> Members agree not to use force without UN support, not always upheld (US invasion of Iraq)
  • –> UN agrees not to intervene in domestic affairs (intervention in Libya)
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21
Q

What is the power and influence of the United Nations?

A

EXAMPLES OF POWER:

  • –> Able to impose on state sovereignty through binding SC resolutions (e.g. Libya)
  • –> GA resolutions carry weight symbolically because they show the will of the international community (moratorium on death penalty success)

NOT SO POWERFUL:

  • –> Limited by the national interests of states, especially the Big Five (4th of February 2012, Russia and China vetoed a bill to force cessation of conflict and rebels-to-government negotiation in Syria, despite a General Assembly resolution condemning the situation in Syria and the assent of the other 13 members of the Council, because Russia supplies arms to Syria)
  • –> Financial veto of states (2010, members owed 4.1 billion), relies on member contributions (total budget of UN agencies is 12 billion – 2% of US annual defence spending) If the UN were a state, its GDP would languish around 160th-highest in the world, on a par with Djibouti, Belize and Guyana. Its military power, on the other hand, would place it 48th in the world, below Nepal but above Nigeria
  • –> In 2010, only 26 of the 192 member-states paid their full contributions
  • –> Unilateral action still common (e.g. Coalition of the Willing invasion of Iraq)
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22
Q

What are the aims and objectives of the International Criminal Court?

A
  • –> Ensure the worst perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes
  • –> Serve as a court of last resort that can investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of genocide, crime against humanity and war crimes
  • –> Assist national judiciaries in investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, allowing states to take action first
  • –> Help promote international peace and security by deterring potential perpetrators
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23
Q

What is the role of the International Criminal Court?

A
  • –> Permanent, independent court with global jurisdiction
  • –> Tries individuals accused of crimes such as genocide and war crimes
  • –> prosecute accused war criminals
  • –> assist national judiciaries to investigate and prosecute the worst perpetrators of atrocities
  • –> uphold and promote human rights through deterring future violations
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24
Q

What is the power and influence of the International Criminal Court?

A

EXAMPLES OF POWER:
—> Global jurisdiction, can exercise authority over any Rome-Statute signatory

NOT SO POWERFUL:

  • –> Only 122 states are signatories, powerful states such as the US, China have not signed, Russia signed not ratified
  • –> Is not considered by the worst perpetrator states as important “mosquito in the ear of an elephant” (Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir responding to an ICC warrant for his arrest for crimes committed in the Darfur conflict (Sudan doesn’t recognize Rome Statute)
  • –> Relies on voluntary acceptance, states must make arrests
  • –> Small scale of investigations, few indictees, only post-2002 conflicts
  • –> No effective enforcement mechanism available

Overall: While the ICC has some global jurisdiction and power, this power is limited by the absence of support from powerful states and the lack of an effective enforcement mechanism: this has meant that the ICC has so far has little influence on the global political arena, prosecuting only 2 individuals

25
Q

What are the aims and objectives of the World Trade Organisation?

A
  • –> Liberalise world trade
  • –> Promote economic growth and stability
  • –> Lay down the rules for world trade
26
Q

What is the role of the World Trade Organisation?

A
  • –> The only international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations
  • –> Providing a forum for negotiation
  • –> Overseeing the treaty commitments of its members - the WTO list what members can and cannot do
  • –> Offering a dispute settlement mechanism, which are enforceable
27
Q

What is the power and influence of the World Trade Organisation?

A

EXAMPLES OF POWER:

  • –> Represents the majority of states in the global economy - 159 signatories
  • –> Able to enforce legally-binding arbitrations on disputes brought by members
  • –> States have to enforce domestic legislation when they join the WTO - principle of non-discrimination (states should not differentiate between different supplies and buyers of goods and services)

NOT SO POWERFUL:

  • –> States are able to leave at any time
  • –> Failed to negotiate any successful trade talks (Doha rounds)
  • –> States can ignore rulings (e.g. US)
  • –> Non-democratic - less credible - subject to interests of states and TNCs - at the Hong Kong ministerial - highest-level decision-making body in the WTO - the EU had over 800 people in its delegation, the US brought over 350 delegates, 3 negotiators in Burundi’s delegation, 2 in Gambia’s delegation. 93% of advisors in the Trade Advisory Committee represent corporations or business associations.
28
Q

What are the aims and objectives of the International Monetary Fund?

A
  • –> Promote international monetary cooperation and exchange rate stability
  • –> Facilitate the balanced growth of international trade
  • –> Provide resources to members struggling to balance their payments
  • –> Assist with poverty reduction
29
Q

What is the role of the International Monetary Fund?

A
  • –> IMF seeks to manage the global economic arena.
  • –> Focus on macroeconomic and financial sector issues.
  • –> Came out of desire to avoid mistakes which lead to the Great Depression
30
Q

What is the power and influence of the International Monetary Fund?

A

EXAMPLES OF POWER:

  • –> 188 members, represents the majority of states in the global economy
  • –> Can force countries to accept conditions in return for financial support (e.g. Greece), thus impinging on economic and political sovereignty
  • –> Sheer economic power, at times of crises, states will do almost everything the IMF tells them to

NOT SO POWERFUL:
—> States are able to leave at any time.
—> Actions are subject to the national interest of richer states due to voting inequities (US has 17.69%, OCED has 63.55%, Sub-Saharan Africa has 4.43%) - in 2014, US Congress failed to approve $63 billion in previously agreed IMF funding that would increase the voting share of BRIC countries by a third - put in question the legitimacy of the IMF
—> Past mistakes lower its credibility
June 2013, admitted mistakes in Greece - lowered its normal standards for debt sustainability in order to give Greece bailout because of pressure from EU countries

31
Q

What are two non-state actors?

A

Yakuza and Sea Shepherd

32
Q

What are the aims and objectives of the Yakuza?

A
  • –> profit-making
  • –> the bringing of social justice (“the yakuza’s code of honour (ninkyo) reportedly values justice and duty above anything else, and forbids allowing others to suffer”)
33
Q

What is the power and influence of the Yakuza?

A

EXAMPLES OF POWER:

  • –> political ties give power
  • –> image of humanitarian/justice group makes public opinion more positive (Tohoku earthquake, able to help more than the government)
  • –> difficult to fully stamp out, because operate clandestinely

NOT SO POWERFUL:
—> influence dwindling due to crackdown:
October 1, 2011, Japanese regulations making business with members illegal
In the US, executive order in 2011 required financial institutions to freeze yakuza assets. As of 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department has frozen about US$55,000 of yakuza holdings including two Japan-issued American Express cards 2011, when the number of yakuza dropped 11 percent. It dropped another 10 percent in 2012
—> Police in Japan arrested over 24,000 yakuza members across the country in 2012.
December 2010, police arrested Yamaguchi-gumi’s (largest and most infamous organization) alleged number three leader, Tadashi Irie

34
Q

What are the aims and objectives of Sea Shepherd?

A

End the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.

35
Q

What is the power and influence of Sea Shepherd?

A

EXAMPLES OF POWER:

  • –> Reduce number of whales killed through direct action - 2012/13 Japan fulfilled 9.96% of their combined quota. Partly due to Operation Zero Tolerance.
  • –> Environment work recognition from governments - Paul Watson awarded the Amazon Peace Prize in 2007 on environment and marine species work in Latin America

NOT SO POWERFUL:

  • –> Lack of legislative power - failed in its attempt to have a court order imposed on WA Govt’s shark cull on March 2014. Court ruled exemptions made under Fish Resources Management Act were valid.
  • –> Prosecution by governments - In December 18, 2012 - Japan’s whalers won an injunction in a US court against Sea Shepherd, restraining the group from attacking their ships in the Southern Ocean. May 2012, Watson was detained by German authorities, skipped bail and went into hiding. Breach of bail conditions, Costa Rican govt required Interpol to issue a Red Notice
36
Q

What are the aims and objectives of Transnational Corporations?

A
  • –> Maximise profit.
  • –> Return dividends to shareholders.
  • –> Expand the business.
37
Q

Explain economic power of TNCs in relation to trade.

A
  • –> If Wal-Mart were a state, it would be China’s 8th largest trading partner
  • –> 1/3 of world trade
  • –> 200 largest TNCs account for 28% of global economic activity and sales are bigger than GDP of 182 states
38
Q

Explain economic power of TNCs in relation to foreign direct investment.

A
  • –> FDI accounted for $325 billion in developing countries in 2006; official aid for $40 billion.
  • –> Since opening itself to FDI, China has experienced rapid economic growth
  • –> Developing countries can come to rely on FDI, but TNCs may remove investment (Mining company Anglo American withdrew copper investments from Zambia, where copper mining accounted for 90% of its exports)
39
Q

Explain economic power of TNCs in relation to employment.

A
  • –> 6000 TNCs control 600,000 production plants and employ over 86 million people.
  • –> In Uzbekistan, Cargill is the largest buyer of cotton (28% of labour force in agriculture, cotton is the largest crop) allows human rights abuses
40
Q

Explain political power of TNCs in relation to trade.

A

Trade Advisory Committee in WTO has 93% corporate interests.

41
Q

Explain political power of TNCs in relation to FDI.

A

Nigeria and Shell.
—> Xstrata in the Northern Territory (in 2007, mining company Xstrata wanted to expand its McArthur River Mine (largest zinc mine) to an open-cut put, which would cause environmental devastation. The Northern Land Council ruled it unlawful on May 1. Two days later, the NT government introduced retrospective legislation that overruled the NLC ruling and allowed the mine to go ahead. Mining contributed to 26% of the states’ Gross State Product and Xstrata is one its largest investors. - They wanted to ensure it stayed that way, and the TNC won’t move to another country without strict legislation

42
Q

Explain political power of TNCs in relation to employment.

A

Uzbekistan - TNC Cargill is allowed by the government to commit human rights abuses such as child labour in its production of cotton, despite two of its representatives acknowledging in 2005 that these abuses were occurring; govt turns a blind eye because Cargill buys 28% of the state’s cotton.

43
Q

Describe how state sovereignty could be challenged by regional groupings

A

i. ASEAN and Myanmar – challenged because had to let aid in (in 2008 Myanmar was devastated by Cyclone Nargis, but the military junta refused to allow independent aid organisation in and demanded all aid pass through military channels (where it would be misappropriated). ASEAN (a South East Asia regional grouping) exerted diplomatic pressure on the Myanmar government, and as a result international aid organisations were let into the country)

44
Q

Describe how state sovereignty could be challenged by contested and changing borders

A

i. Internal groupings (Syrian conflict, since 2012 opposition groups such as the Free Syrian Army have been waging a war against Bashar al–Assad’s government, which is no longer able to exercise effective control over large swathes of its territory such as the major cities of Aleppo and Homs)

45
Q

Describe how state sovereignty could be challenged by issues and crises requiring multilateral action

A

i. Convention on Cluster Munitions (signed May 30, 2008 and came into force August 1, 2010; states party to the Convention are required to stop production of cluster munitions and destroy existing stockpiles through enacting national legislation (legislative sovereignty impinged upon). 108 states have signed and 75 ratified)

46
Q

State an example of an action taken by the UN.

A

• Moratorium on the Death Penalty
—-> Calls on states that maintain the death penalty to establish a moratorium on its use and move towards complete abolition. Also aims to restrict number of offences punishable by death and respect the rights of those on death row

47
Q

State an example of an action taken by the ICC.

A

Lubanga (Thomas Lubanga Dyio (born 29 December 1960) is a convicted war criminal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the first person ever convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He founded and led the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) and was a key player in the Ituri conflict (1999-2007).
. On 17 March 2006, Lubanga became the first person arrested under a warrant issued by the ICC.
His trial began on 26 January 2009, and he was found guilty on 14 March 2012 of abducting boys
and girls under the age of 15 and forcing them to fight in a war in the Democratic Republic of
Congo in 2002-2003. On 10 July 2012. Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
sentenced Lubanga to a total period of 14 years of imprisonment)

48
Q

State an example of an action taken by the IMF.

A

Loans to Greece.

49
Q

State an example of an action taken by the WTO.

A

New Zealand winning its ‘fire blight’ apple case against Australia

50
Q

UNIT 3 AOS 1 IS COMPLETE! TIME TO MOVE ONTO

A

AOS 2 - Power in the Asia-Pacific!!!

51
Q

Define ‘sovereignty’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

The legitimate and well-recognised authority to exercise effective control over a territory within recognised borders. It is the primary organising principle of global politics and allows states to represent their territorial entity in the international community

52
Q

Define ‘national interest’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Outlines the aims and objectives of foreign policy and is used as an all-embracing concept to justify certain policy preferences.

53
Q

Define ‘power’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

The ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor, can be exercised in a range of types and forms.

54
Q

Define ‘nation’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Group of people claiming common bonds based on culture, language or history. Some nationalities have their own state, such as the Japanese, while other want their own state such as the Kurds.

55
Q

Define ‘state’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Traditionally the central actor in international relations, states possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. States are not necessarily culturally homogenous, for example Australia.

56
Q

Define ‘nation-state’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Political social grouping in which people within territorial boundaries, with recognised sovereignty, have common bonds based on language, culture, or history.

57
Q

Define ‘security’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

Traditionally refers to protection of a state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through the use of military power.

58
Q

Define ‘idealism’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

A school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all by moral principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations.

59
Q

Define ‘pragmatism’ as it relates to the study of global politics.

A

A school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all by practical and pragmatic considerations as opposed to moral principles.

Global Politics (5 decks)

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