Revision - Challenges to International Rules-Based Order

Question 1

Features of rules-based international order (RBIO)

Answer 1

• Treaties/declarations
• UN (GA, SC, ICJ)
• Regional security groupings
• ICC
• WTO/IMF/World Bank
• Trade agreements
• International law

Question 2

The democratic peace thesis

Answer 2

• Democratic countries are less likely to go to war with each other (which leads to the exporting of democracy)
• However, forcing a democracy onto a country is often ineffective
  
  • Need literacy
  • Need free and independent media
  • Need strong economic development
• A stable democracy only occurs once there have been two peaceful transfers of power

Question 3

How does populism challenge rules-based order and political stability?

Answer 3

• Anti-establishment means that they undermine trust in systems and structures that have existed to uphold stability
• ‘People’ vs. ‘the elites’ has lead to the exacerbation of issues rather than solving them
• Anti-globalist means they’d prefer to leave RBIO entirely
• Often leads to an increase in mis/disinformation

Question 4

Trump as a challenge

Answer 4

• Trump has undermined trust in democratic systems, weakening the public’s confidence in elections and their stability
• Framing “the people” against “the elites,” which is a big part of Trump’s language, has caused deeper divisions rather then resolving the issue
• Rejecting global cooperation, like pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, is an indicator of anti-globalist attitudes
• Nationalistic and anti-immigration talk, which are big parts of Trump’s values, has also divided America further
• Using aggressive rhetoric, like the call to “fight like hell,” weakens respect for laws and democratic values, as seen in the Jan 6th riots
• Consistent attacks on the media and political opponents, as well as even his own party and officials, leads to the spread of misinformation and reducing transparency in government

Question 5

Le Pen as a challenge

Answer 5

• Le Pen undermines trust in French political institutions, which makes it harder for democracy to stay stable​
• She positions herself as one of “the people” against a corrupt elite, promoting divisions
• Her focus on prioritizing French law over EU regulations is an indication of her anti-globalist attitudes
• Her anti-immigration policies push minority communities to the margins and attract groups such as the ‘Black Feet’
• By labeling the media as “enemies of the people,” she undermines the ability of it to inform and participate in French politics

Question 6

Israel - Palestine conflict as a challenge

Answer 6

• Division within the Middle East
• Division in other countries (riots)
• Weakness of the UN (ability to ignore both GA and SC decrees)