The English School Flashcards
Does the English school provide a holistic approach to the subject?
The English School Provides a holistic approach to the subject
Attempting to see the world as a whole
What is English school theory build around, as defined by Hedley Bull?
English school theory built around establishing distinctions between 3 key concepts
- International system
- International society
- World society
Is the English school a middle ground?
Offers a middle ground between the opposing theories of realism + liberalism
When is an international system formed? (2)
- When 2+ states have sufficient contact between them
- And have sufficient impact on one another’s decisions to cause them to behave as parts of a whole
When does an international society exist? (2)
- Exists when a group of like-minded states conceive themselves to be bound by a common set of rules in their relations with one another
- And share in the working of common institutions
What is the impact of world society? (2)
- Transcends the state system
- Takes individuals, non-state actors + ultimately the global population as the focus of global societal identities + arrangements
What are primary institutions? (3)
- Long-term practices among states
- Such as diplomacy, law and war
- Rather than international structures that are established to facilitate state interaction
What are secondary institutions? (2)
- International organisations
- Use the term secondary institutions to show that the effectiveness of international organisations depends on the function of international society’ s primary institutions
Why is the distinction between an international system and an international society helpful?
Helps us distinguish the pattern and character of relations among + between certain states + groups of states
How does the interaction among the EU’s member states differ from the EU’s interaction with Turkey, a non-member?
- Interaction among EU’s member states reflects the existence of an international society
- While interaction of the EU itself with Turkey describes interaction within a broader international system
Why did the distinction between an international system + an international society invite considerable criticism?
What has been the result?
- Because even in an international system, one could observe the existence of some rules + the operation of some institutions
- Resulted in the acceptance that an international system constitutes a weak form of international society
Throughout the bulk of history, there was not any single international system or society. When did an international society first appear?
- During 17th + 18th century, international society was regarded as a privileged association of European + ‘civilised’ states
- With development of institutions e.g. international law, diplomacy + balance of power
Why did the emergence of an international society in the 17th + 18th centuries perpetuate a cultural duality between ‘civilised’ and ‘non-civilised’ peoples and create a hierarchy of states? (3)
- Non-European states could only join international society if they met standards of civilisation
- Perpetuated cultural duality between ‘civilised’ and ‘non-civilised’ peoples
- Led to creation of hierarchical relations between 2 new categories of states: the ‘civilisers’ and the ‘civilisees’
Following the end of WW1, what international society emerged?
- Following the end of WW1
- Watermarked by establishment of the League of Nations in 1920
What was the impact of WW2 on the League of Nations?
- Interrupted the functioning of the League
- Consequently led to the destruction of that particular international society
