UNIT 3 AOS 1

Question 1

Define sovereignty.

Answer 1

The widely recognised or legitimate ability of states to exercise effective control over a territory within recognised borders. It is the primary organising principle of global politics. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (secessionist groups) or externally (when one state invades another).

Question 2

Complete this sentence: “States have…”

Answer 2

States have ultimate sovereignty and remain “masters of treaties” - i.e. they choose which non-state actor they will cooperate with and institutions of global governance are reliant on the cooperation of states.

Question 3

How does the USA have influence and authority over institutions of global governance?

Answer 3

The US holds veto power in the UN Security Council, it ignored the WTO Brazil cotton decision and holds 17.69% of votes of the IMF, which provides it with a veto. Furthermore, it is not a Rome Statute signatory and as it is holds veto power in the UN SC, it is immune from the ICC.

Question 4

How does the UN challenge state power with sanctions?

Answer 4

In March 17, 2011, the UNSC voted for no-fly zone in resolution 1973 and 24 hours later, Libya’s foreign minister announced that all government military operations would be halted. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) deployed aircraft to enforce it.

Question 5

How does the IMF challenge state sovereignty? Use an example.

Answer 5

The IMF imposed economic conditions on Greece in May 2010: for a 110 billion euros international bailout, it would restructure and impose severe austerity measures.

Question 6

How much of world trade do TNCs control?

Answer 6

A third.

Question 7

How does issues that require a multilateral solution challenge state sovereignty?

Answer 7

Third agenda issues means that states must work multilaterally and abdicate sovereignty. The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (signed May 30, 2008 and came into force August 1, 2010) means that states party to the Convention must stop production of cluster munitions and destroy existing stockpiles through enacting national legislation. (legislative sovereignty impinged upon) 113 states have signed and 84 ratified.

Question 8

How has the ASEAN challenged state sovereignty?

Answer 8

In 2008, Myanmar was devastated by Cyclone Nargis but the military junta refused to allow independent aid organisations in and demanded all aid pass through military channels. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) exerted diplomatic pressure on the Myanmar government and international aid organisations were let into the country. Challenged because had to let aid in.

Question 9

How has the EU challenged state sovereignty?

Answer 9

In 2011, there was a political crisis in Romania, with PM Ponta calling for President Basescu to step down and the EU commission issued Romania with an 11 point plan of reforms which was “essential for maintaining Romania’s credibility and stability” and Romania followed through with the reform plan due to diplomatic pressure.

Question 10

How has contested and changing borders challenged state sovereignty?

Answer 10

March 16 2014, Russia held a referendum under the barrel of a gun for Crimea to dissolve ties with Ukraine and to join with Russia, with Russian troops occupying the peninsula. 96% of voters want to join Russia. Without consent of the national government. Violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Invasion. Illegitimate, illegal referendum by the US and EU.

Question 11

How has issues and crises requiring multilateral action challenged state sovereignty?

Answer 11

Convention on Cluster Munitions, Climate Change and Migration. 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (signed May 30, 2008 and came into force August 1, 2010) means that states party to the Convention must stop production of cluster munitions and destroy existing stockpiles through enacting national legislation. (legislative sovereignty impinged upon) 113 states have signed and 84 ratified.

Question 12

Give an example for a success in the UN’s aim of maintaining international peace and security.

Answer 12

In Libya, this was successful - in March 17, 2011, the UNSC voted for a no-fly zone, 24 hours later, Libya’s foreign minister announced that all government military operation would be halted. NATO, led by UK, Italy, France and US deployed aircraft to enforce.

Question 13

What does NATO stand for?

Answer 13

North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Question 14

What does ASEAN stand for?

Answer 14

Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Question 15

Give three examples of failures in the UN’s aim of maintaining international peace and security.

Answer 15

The UN is limited by the national interest of its member-states.
Syria is currently raging war - UN has done nothing because of Russia and China vetoing 3 Security Council resolutions. The SC only “strongly condemns”
Peacekeeping operations have often had limited success - UN Organization Stablization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco) failure - largest mission with budget of $1.5 bil per year, with 21,217 uniformed personnel
It has a lack of authority, as shown in the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the Coalition of the Willing

Question 16

State the aims of the UN.

Answer 16

Maintain international security and peace.
Develop friendly relations between member states
Work collectively to solve the problems of poverty, diseases, illiteracy and environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other’s freedoms and rights
Be a centre of helping nations achieve these aims

Question 17

Describe how the UN seeks to achieve these aims in Haiti.

Answer 17

The UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) - peacekeeping operation - took over the Multinational Interim Force after being invited by the government in 2004. Mandated by UNSC resolution 1542.
Size in 2004: 10,019 with 6700 troops and 1622 police
Size now: 10,568 with 6355 troops and 2420 police
Problems of UN soldiers acting recklessly - 2005, they attacked an arms depot without proper planning and killed 80 people. Accusations of torture, massacres, rape, sexual assault, robbery and theft. Failure to prosecute or follow up accusations of UN misconduct and corruption. UN forces have diplomatic immunity - no consequences for their actions

Question 18

Aside from UN action in Haiti, how else has the UN seek to achieve its aims?

Answer 18

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. Aims to restrict number of offences punishable by death and respect the rights of those on death row.
December 18 2007 - General Assembly voted 104/54 in favour to establish moratorium
Italy changed de facto abolition of death penalty to de jure abolition on March 3, 2009 by ratifying Protocol 13 of the European Covenant on Human Rights as a direct result of the resolution

Question 19

Explain the role of the UN

Answer 19

Based on keeping international peace and acts as an observer of economic, social and human rights conditions
Acts as administrative organisation as well as a diplomatic mediator
Irreplaceable role in world affairs
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)

Question 20

State aims of the ICC.

Answer 20

Ensure the worse perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.
Serve as a court of last resort to investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of genocide, crimes 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.

Question 21

Who is Lubanga?

Answer 21

Lubanga is a convicted war criminal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the first person convicted by the ICC.
March 2006 - first person arrested under a warrant issued by the ICC. Found guilty in March 2012. July 2012 - 14 years of imprisonment.

Question 22

How successful has the ICC been in achieving these aims?

Answer 22

Only made 29 arrests.
2 convictions.
Omar al-Bashir didn’t comply with demands

Question 23

Describe the role of the ICC.

Answer 23

Permanent, independent court with global jurisdiction

Tries individuals accused of crimes such as genocide and war crimes, as opposed to the ICJ, which tries states

Question 24

Evaluate the power and influence of the UN. Part I

Answer 24

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)
Limited by the national interests of states, especially the Big Five. (Feb 2012, Russia and China vetoed a bill to force cessation of conflict and rebels-to-government negotiation in Syria, despite a GA resolution condemning the situation and the assent of the other 13 members in the SC, because Russia supplies arms to Syria)
Financial veto of states (2010, members owed 4.1 billion and US debt was 1.2 billion), relies on member contributions (total budget of UN agencies is 12 billion - 2% of US annual defence spending) - if UN were a state, its GDP would languish around 160th-highest in the world, and its military power would be 48th. In 2010, only 26 out of 192 member-states paid their full contribution

Question 25

Evaluate the power and influence of the UN. Part II

Answer 25

Unilateral action still common - 2003 Coalition of the Willing invasion of Iraq without UN approval and little consequence - only as effective as its member-states allow it to be.
Permanent members represent the world at the end of WWII. 29% of world’s population. Does not reflect economic power of the global political arena
No standing army - UN Charter allows for standing army to be established between SC and consenting states, but has not occurred. Lack of real power to compel states to comply with UN resolutions and abide by its aims and principles

Question 26

Evaluate the power and influence of the ICC.

Answer 26

Global jurisdiction can exercise authority over any Rome-Statute signatory
Only 122 states have ratified; powerful states such as the US and China have not signed and Russia has signed but not ratified.
Is not considered by the worst perpetrator states as important - “mosquito in the ear of an elephant” - Sudanese President al-Bashir
Relies on voluntary acceptance, states must make arrests
Small scale of investigations, few indictees, only post-2002 conflicts
No effective enforcement mechanism available

Question 27

State aims of the Japanese Yakuza.

Answer 27

Profit-making
The bringing of social justice - the yakuza’s code of honour reportedly values justice and duty above anything else, and forbids allowing others to suffer
“help the weak, fight the strong”

Question 28

Describe how the Yakuza seeks to achieve its aims.

Answer 28

Drugs (90% of world’s heroin trade), arms, gambling, prostitution, real estate, finance - $50 billion in US financial markets, investments in Hawaiian property market - money coming from both legal and illegal sources
Political financing - in 2012, it was reported that the Democratic Party of Japan’s newly appointed Minister of Justice has strong ties to yakuza, being funded by them
Humanitarian help - Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, the yakuza was able to aid the people in affected area of the natural disaster

Question 29

Evaluate the power and influence of the Yakuza.

Answer 29

Political ties give power.
Image of humanitarian/justice group makes public opinion more positive - able to help more than the government in the Tohoku earthquake.
Difficult to fully stamp out because operate clandestinely
In October 2011, Japanese regulations making business with members illegal
In the US, executive order in 2011 required financial institutions to freeze yakuza assets. Frozen about $55,000 of yakuza holdings as of 2013. 2011 while number of yakuza dropped 11%. It dropped another 10% in 2012.
Police in Japan arrested over 24,000 yakuza members across the country in 2012
December 2010, police arrest Yamaguchi-gumi’s alleged number three leader, Tadashi Irie

Question 30

State the aims of Sea Shepherd.

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Explain how Sea Shepherd seeks to achieve these aims.

Answer 31

In 1981, the organisation was formed by Paul Watson, following from his 1977 group Earth Force Society with an immediate goal of shutting down illegal whaling and sealing operations, which over time, expanded to include all marine wildlife.
Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
In July 2007, Watson signed two agreements - Protection of the Amazon River Dolphin and the Amazonian manatee and the other with Ecuadorian Police to detect and destroy illegal fishing boats

Question 32

Evaluate the power and influence of Sea Shepherd.

Answer 32

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
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

Question 33

State the aims of the WTO.

Answer 33

Liberalise world trade
Promote economic growth and stability
Lay down the rules for world trade

Question 34

To what extent has the WTO liberalised world trade?

Answer 34

Failed to negotiate any successful trade talks since inception, e.g. Doha
Developed states seek to protect own economies: 2012, Fairtrade Foundation found how $47 billion in subsidies paid to rich country producers in past 10 years has created barriers for the 15 million cotton farmers across west Africa, 5 million poorest families forced out of business
US v Brazil cotton ruling, US didn’t comply
369 cases resolved through trade dispute mechanism
2010 world merchandise exports increased 22% and commercial service grew by 9%

Question 35

To what extent has the WTO promoted economic growth and stability?

Answer 35

2010 world merchandise exports increased 22% and commercial service grew by 9%
Environmental protection not linked to trade liberalisation, and can lead to environmental degradation, in turn destabilising the economy - not sustainable

Question 36

To what extent has the WTO laid down the rules for international trade?

Answer 36

Failed to clarify deliberately ambiguous rules on concluding trade agreements that allow the poorest countries to be manipulated by the rich states. In Africa, in negotiations with the EU, countries have been forced to eliminate tariffs on up to 90% of their trade because no clear rules exist to protect them
Trade disputes settled

Question 37

Describe how the WTO seeks to achieve its aims.

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Outline the role of the WTO.

Answer 38

The only international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations.

Question 39

Evaluate the power and influence of the WTO. Positive

Answer 39

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)

Question 40

Evaluate the power and influence of the WTO. Negative

Answer 40

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.

Question 41

State aims of the IMF.

Answer 41

Promote international monetary cooperation and exchange rate stability - doesn’t allow for equal representation, as votes are determined by voting power (US has 17.69%, G8 has 48.18%, OECD has 63.35% and sub-Saharan Africa has 4.43%), all senior staff European
Facilitate the balanced growth of international trade
Provide resources to members struggling to balance their payments
Assist with poverty reduction

Question 42

Describe the IMF’s work in Latvia.

Answer 42

In December 2008, IMF loaned $2.4 billion to Latvia.
2009 GDP growth was -18%, in 2011, GDP growth was 5.5%
Latvia was able to repay its loan early, paying off $257 million in September 2012.
However in 2011, statistics show that 30% of Latvia’s population was severely materially deprived; recovery at the cost of society

Question 43

Describe the IMF’s work in Jordan.

Answer 43

Encouraging privatisation, trade liberalisation, strengthening regulatory framework.
External current account balance up from 0% in 2001 to 10.9% in 2003.
2004, after 15 years of IMF arrangements, Jordan exited from reliance on loans

Question 44

Describe the IMF’s work in Greece.

Answer 44

Three-year international bailout package of 110 billion euros in 2010, of which the IMF bore 30 billion euros.
Debt restructuring and severe austerity measures.
Deficit of 10.6% of GDP in 2009 to 2.4% of GDP in 2011
Worsening of Greek recession - GDP decline in 2011 with a -6.9% rate
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from 7.5% in 2008 to 24.4% in 2012
Suicide rate used to be lowest in Europe, by 2012, it increased by 40%
2012, 20000 Greeks made homeless and 20% of shops in Athens were empty

Question 45

Describe the IMF’s work in Bolivia

Answer 45

Government lost $40 million in annual income due to oil and gas privatisation
34 killed in rioting following tax increase pushed through by IMF

Question 46

To what extent has the IMF’s aims been achieved in the GFC?

Answer 46

The IMF loaned $250 billion to countries hit hard by the GFC. Of 29 countries which received loans, only one (Greece) is still experiencing negative growth, as of April 2011.

Question 47

How does the IMF seek to achieve these aims?

Answer 47

Surveillance - oversees the international monetary system and monitors financial and economic policies of its members - in April 2011, advised Aus govt to establish a sovereign wealth fund from revenue generated by higher commodity prices
Technical assistance - assists low to mid-income states in managing their economies, providing guidance and training - CARTAC centre provides training to 20 Caribbean island nations
Lending - provides loans to states struggling to balance their payments - In May 2010, IMF gave 10 billion euros as a part of a 110 billion international bailout to Greece

Question 48

Explain the role of the IMF.

Answer 48

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

Question 49

Evaluate the power and influence of the IMF. Positive

Answer 49

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

Question 50

Evaluate the power and influence of the IMF. Negative.

Answer 50

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

Question 51

What is Shell?

Answer 51

A TNC that has the second-largest revenue in 2011, the largest oil company and is one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Question 52

Explain Shell’s role in Nigeria

Answer 52

Shell operates 6,000 km of pipelines, 87 flow-stations, 8 natural gas plants and 1,000 oil wells.
Shell has staff in all key government ministries and it knows all that was being done in those ministries
Documents released in 2009 indicate Shell regularly made payments to the Nigerian military to put down protests against Shell activities
In 1996, human rights groups took Shell to court for crimes - execution, torture, crimes against humanity and inhumane treatment - execution of nine leaders who were hanged in 1995. In 2009, Shell agreed to pay $15.5 million in damages but refused to acknowledge liability for the crimes

Question 53

What are the aims of TNCs?

Answer 53

Maximise profit.
Return dividends to shareholders.
Expand the business.

Question 54

Where are TNCs’ power derived from?

Answer 54

Economies of scale.
Movement of capital - specifically foreign direct investment
Outsourcing production to lower cost centres in developing countries in Asia and Africa
Political relationships between TNCs and states
Important source of revenue and employment for states
Lobbying - nearly $29 billion spent by TNCs between 1998 to 2010 on US election campaigns. Direct impact on policy development in the US
Control the mass media - cultural power
Direct investment in some governments and economies

Question 55

Explain economic power of TNCs in relation to trade.

Answer 55

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

Question 56

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

Answer 56

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)

Question 57

Explain economic power of TNCs in relation to employment.

Answer 57

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

Question 58

Explain political power of TNCs in relation to trade.

Answer 58

Trade Advisory Committee in WTO has 93% corporate interests.

Question 59

Explain political power of TNCs in relation to FDI.

Answer 59

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

Question 60

Explain political power of TNCs in relation to employment.

Answer 60

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.