Unit 3 AOS 1

Question 1

Nation

Answer 1

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

Question 2

State

Answer 2

Traditionally this term refers to the central actor in global politics. States possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. States are not necessarily culturally homogenous, for example Australia.

Question 3

Sovereignty

Answer 3

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing 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).

Question 4

Power

Answer 4

Refers to 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.

Question 5

Global Governance

Answer 5

Refers to 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.

Question 6

Multilateralism

Answer 6

Refers to a system of coordinating relations between three or more states, usually in pursuit of objectives in particular areas.

Question 7

Globalisation

Answer 7

Refers to acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital, which promote global interdependence. These have been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology.

Question 8

Aims of ‘the’ State

Answer 8

Maintain Sovereignty
Ensure national security
Other National Interests, incl. Economic Prosperity, Regional Relationships, International Standing

Question 9

Roles of the State IN Global Politics

Answer 9

Maintain an army
Maintain diplomatic relations
Negotiate treaties/Free Trade Arrangements
Represent the interest of the state in IGOs (UN, IMF, ICC)
Represent the interest of the state in other diplomatic forums (EU, NATO, G7, G20, ASEAN)

Question 10

Security

Answer 10

Traditionally this term refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through the use of military power. It has now evolved to include softer forms of security, such as access to resources and the protection of the environment.

Question 11

What types of power do states have?

Answer 11

Military
Economic
Political
Cultural
Diplomatic

Question 12

Hard Power

Answer 12

Refers to power exercised through coercion, or threatened acts of coercion, to influence the actions of other global actors. Most commonly exercised through military forms but can also include economic forms

Question 13

Soft Power

Answer 13

Refers to the ability to shape the actions of other global actors through attraction and un-coercive means, for example diplomacy, culture, policies and history. A term first coined by Joseph Nye.

Question 14

What are contested boarders + how do they challenge sovereignty?

Answer 14

Situations where part, or all, of a state’s territory is claimed by another state or group of people = When there is not widely recognised borders that the state has effective control over
b/c:
- reduced ability to make decisions
- can’t control resources

Question 15

Example of details as contested borders

Answer 15

Senkaku Islands
China v Japan - 8 islands = uninhabited
Possible oil reserves t/f cannot exploit
China attempt to claim through military - e.g. Coast Guard incursions, sailing submarines
US reassert Japanese control = challenge to China legitimacy of claim

Question 16

What are regional groupings and how do they impact sovereignty?

Answer 16

Supernational organisations established based on geographical location

+ve impact → states choose to join (ultimate effective control) b/c of perceived benefits - e.g. greater representation on global stage

-ve impact → membership req. ‘pooling of sovereignty’ → states have to be willing to compromise control over defined policy areas in return for membership

Question 17

Impact of EU on Sovereignty - overview

Answer 17

Effective control:

• ECJ is highest court of appeal t/f can overrule national judiciaries
• EU law prevails over national law where there is a clash
• loss of effective control over agriculture, trade and fishery policies b/c common policies
• IF in eurozone loss of control over monetary policy (but didn’t have to join- 19 states))
• IF in Schengen area (22 states) loss of control over borders

BUT

• states remain ‘masters of treaties’ t/f EU can only have control over areas that the states empower them to have control over
• states retain control over health, education, welfare, foreign affairs and defence
• states can leave at any time (Article 50)

ULTIMATELY - states join b/c judgement is that benefits outweigh costs

Question 18

EU impact on Hungary’s sovereignty

Answer 18

Legitimacy

• EU parliament votes that Hungary persistently breach EU core values in Sept 2018 + July 2021

Effective control

• ECJ ruled twice that Hungary approach to refugees breaches EU law (April 2020 re: not relocating + Nov 2021 rules law that made it criminal offence to help refugees violates EU law t/f law = invalid)
• 2021 - EU holds back funding (impacts ability to exercise effective control) over LGBTQ+ legislation and corruption t/f Hungary has to choose to address concerns (forced to) OR forgo money

HOWEVER

• EU can only suspend Hungary’s membership rights if all states agree (Article 7) not going to occur due to backing of Poland t/f NOT clear what will happen if Hungary do not abide by ECJ rulings

Question 19

Aims of ICC

Answer 19

1. Ensure the worst perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes
2. Serve as a court of last resort that can investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
3. Assist national judiciaries in investigating and prosecuting the worst perpetrators, allowing states to be the first to investigate and prosecute
4. Help promote international peace and security by deterring future would-be perpetrators

Question 20

Roles of ICC

Answer 20

Investigate alleged crimes
Assist state judiciaries to investigate and prosecute
Prosecute cases themselves
Hold trials and issue decisions
Sentence those convicted
Hear and decide on appeals

Question 21

Impact of membership on power of ICC

Answer 21

3 out of 5 Perm Members of UNSC - not members = reduces legitimacy
Not many members in Asia - if states are not members ICC only has jurisdiction if UNSC refers

Question 22

Jurisdiction of the ICC

Answer 22

Limited to crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Can only exercise jurisdiction if ONE of the following is true:

• The accused is a national of a member state
• If the alleged crime took place in a member state
• If the situation has been referred by the UN Security Council

Question 23

Overview of ICC achievements

Answer 23

• 13 investigations (but Africa centric)
• 44 people indicted
• 23 cases completed
• 7 convictions (since 2002)

Question 24

Key ICC case studies

Answer 24

• Uganda - Dominic Ongwen = ex-child soldier convicted of 61 crimes in 2021= 25 years in prison - captured by US forces (who had prev. offered a reward for his arrest - criticism because he was a previous victim
• DRC - 3 convictions (Dylio, Katanga and Ntanganda) - investigation began in 2004 at request of DRC - first conviction Dylio = 2012 Katanga = 2014 and Ntanganda = 2019 - 7 years b/w Ntaganda warrant and him handing himself in - committed further crimes during this time + living in plain sight
• Darfur, Sudan - warrant for arrest of Omar al-Bashir - not arrested despite travelling to other ICC member states incl. South Africa in 2015 where he escaped helped by SA govt (court attempted to arrest)
• Kenya - Kenyatta - ICC begun investigation themselves - Kenyatta elected president after being indicted - charges had to be withdrawn due to intimidation of witnesses
• Afghanistan - 2020 investigation commenced - US responded by imposing sanctions on ICC officials. President of Afghanistan asked for investigation to be paused b/c investigating themselves (acting as court of last resort). Post-Taliban takeover investigation recommenced but focused only on abuses by Taliban
• Palestine - ICC member despite not being a state. March 2021 ICC launch investigation - Israel indicates they will not cooperate

Question 25

Limits to ICC power

Answer 25

• Membership - no US, Russia or China, most of Asia not members - therefore no jurisdiction
• Lack of cooperation from members - e.g. not arresting al-Bashir
• No police force - cannot arrest themselves → 15 fugitives + al-Bashir eg. + knew where Ntanganda was but was able to continue committing crimes for 7 years

Question 26

Criticisms

Answer 26

• Africa centered
• Not holding big powers to account - e.g. US in Afghanistan with re-launch of investigation
• Lack of convictions prevents it from being a deterrent
• Slow - only 7 convictions since 2002

Question 27

Aims of the UN

Answer 27

Keep peace throughout the world
To develop friendly relations between countries
To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms
To be a centre for helping nations achieve these aims

Question 28

Examples of the roles of the UN

Answer 28

Peacekeeping (e.g. Congo)
Economic Development (e.g. MDGs and SDGs or UN Development Program)
Humanitarian Assistance (emergency relief – e.g. World Food Program)
Publishing information (e.g. the UN Human Development Index)
Peace Envoys/oversee negotiations

Question 29

Criticisms/limitations of UN

Answer 29

Historically determined veto

R2P - can only be enacted by UNSC

Lack of army

Lack of funding

Question 30

Aims of the IMF

Answer 30

To promote international monetary cooperation.
To facilitate the expansion and balanced growth of international trade, and to contribute thereby to the promotion and maintenance of high levels of employment and real income and to the development of the productive resources of all members as primary objectives of economic policy.
To promote exchange stability.
To assist in the establishment of a multilateral system of payments … in the elimination of foreign exchange restrictions which hamper the growth of world trade.”
To make resources available to members experiencing balance of payments difficulties

Question 31

Roles of the IMF

Answer 31

1. Policy advice (Surveillance) – IMF monitors member state policies and national, regional and global economic and financial developments  provide advice to member states about how to achieve economic stability, prevent financial crises and improve living standards + promote policies
2. Financial assistance  LOANS – when states are having balance of payment problems + 0% interest concessional loans for low-income states
3. Technical Advice/Capacity building– work with states to modernise economic policies and institutions

Question 32

Power of the IMF

Answer 32

$1tr fund

Conditionality of loans

Respect for expertise