UNIT 3 AOS 1 REVISION Flashcards

1
Q

Aim of state (what they want to achieve)

A
  • Maintain sovereignty
  • Ensure the security of its citizens
  • National security
  • Economic growth and prosperity
    example: banning of Huawei in 2018 to minimise possibility of Huawei equipment used as a conduct for espionage
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2
Q

Role of state (what they do)

A
  • Defend sovereignty
  • Exercise power to effective control of territory
  • Form alliances
  • Signing agreements/freedom to citizens
    example: legislation of same sex marriage in Australia in 2017, providing a greater degree of freedom to express personal preference, upholding the freedom of choice in personal relationships that states have the role to endow upon its citizens
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3
Q

Evaluation of power of states (the ability to influence actions of others)

A

Military power
Political power
Economic power
example: 2021 Chinese government crackdown on monopolistic business practices including TNC Alibaba who were forced to sell their media assets including South China Morning Post, to limit its public influence and asset portfolio, displaying use of political power to direct and exert control over actions of even major TNC like Alibaba

limitation:
In 2019, the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests highlighted the limits of China’s power. Despite China’s significant control over Hong Kong, widespread opposition to the proposed extradition bill forced China to withdraw the law after months of protests. The protests, supported by millions of Hong Kong citizens, showed that local resistance, along with international scrutiny, can challenge China’s influence. This case illustrates that while China holds substantial political power, it is not immune to public dissent and international criticism, which can curb its actions.

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4
Q

Regional groupings impact on state sovereignty

A

example:
Brexit 2016
As a member of the European union (EU) the UK was subject to EU laws, had limited control over immigration, and its courts were bound by the European Court of Justice. These restrictions on sovereignty led to the 2016 referendum where the UK voted to leave the EU, officially regaining full control over its laws, borders, and trade policies in 2020.

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5
Q

Contested borders impact on state sovereignty

A

example:
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 2021
In 2021 Russia invaded Ukraine, annexing key regions of Donetsk, Luhansk deterring the state from aligning with NATO. The invasion resulted in Russia taking control over 400,000 people and 40,000 square miles of land by February of 2023. As a result, Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty was undermined as their ability to exert effective control over their territorial borders was severely weakened

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6
Q

Issues that require multilateral resolution and its impact on state sovereignty

A

example:
Brazil rainforest fires 2019
As the Brazilian rainforest plays a crucial role in regulating the world’s climate and biodiversity, in response to the potential deforestation and climate issues that were bound to ensure through the exacerbating fires, members of the G7 summit provided aid and methods of handling the situation. However, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro perceived the intervention as a threat to state sovereignty as it undermined their ability and right to manage states affairs, despite international criticism and pressure. Bolsonaro further accused the European leaders of treating Brazil like a “colony”.

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7
Q

Impact of globalisation on state sovereignty

A

The EU is a key example of globalisation as it fosters economic, political, and social integration among its member states. However, the UK perceived these regulations that hindered control over aspects of immigration, borders and laws as a threat to their state sovereignty, resulting in the 2016 referendum which saw the UK officially voting to leave the EU. Regaining control over their laws, borders and policies.

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8
Q

Aims and roles of UN and successful and unsuccessful achievement of aim

A

Aims:
- Maintain International Peace and Security.
- Protect Human Rights.
- Facilitate peaceful relations and cooperation between states
- Uphold international law
successful:
Paris agreement 2015
The UN achieved its aim of maintaining international security and facilitating peaceful relations and cooperation between states through the Paris Agreement. The agreement aimed to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius and also outlines the commitments from participating countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and provide financial support to vulnerable nations. Ultimately, 196 parties including 196 states and the EU signing onto the agreement including major polluters like the US and China. The agreement was successful and crucial in addressing global environmetal threats, which if left unattended could lead to further consequences

unsuccessful:
US withdrawal from Paris Agreement 2017
Former US President Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the Paris Accord in 2017 due to beliefs that it “undermines our sovereignty” and “weakens our economy” - was a direct repudiation of international cooperation and poses significant challenge to UN efforts as the US is a global leader with influence, moreover, responsible for 18% of global emissions, showcasing the lack of proper enforcement mechanisms that ensure states follow through with stipulations and in the interest of the UN and international community rather than their national interests

Roles:
- Responding to global crisis and issues that threaten it
- Global governance – allows states to pursue security and stability
- Pass binding resolution

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9
Q

Evaluation of UN’s power

A

Successful nature:
Resolution 2397 in response to North Korea’s ICBM launches in 2017. Resulted in sanctions that hindered the sale of capital equipment to North Korea and the purchase of North Korean natural resource export over 2018 in an attempt to limit its nuclear development. Subsequently, these measures alongside others, likely prompted North Korea to cease missile testing completely over the course of 2018, while simultaneously prompting a surge in diplomatic participation, most notably the Singapore Summit which saw the US and North Korea meeting. To the extent that these UNSC sanctions facilitated the North Korean denuclearisation in 2018, it can be seen that the UNSC is effective in upholding peace and security.

Unsuccessful nature:
However, while numerous sanctions have been placed on North Korea since, some resolutions such as the draft in 2022, have been unsuccessful due to vetoes by China and Russia, both of which are states who aim to maintain its relations with north Korea for the sake of nation interests such as trade. Thus, despite the existing sanctions, North Korea has continued to launch missile tests post 2018, having acquired over 50 warheads as of 2024 and further highlighting the ineffectiveness of the UNSC resolutions to prompt effective change in North Korea’s nuclear position

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10
Q

Aims and roles of International Monetary Fund and successful and unsuccessful achievement of aim

A

Aims:
- Promote international monetary cooperation and stability
- To effectively discourage policies that would harm the prosperity of states
successful:
Promoting international monetary cooperation and stability – Papua New Guinea (2020)
- In 2020, the IMF disbursed $363 million in emergency financing from their Rapid Credit Facility to help Papua New Guinea address urgent COVID-19 balance of payments, including contraction of 4% in commodity levels
Effectively discouraging polices that would harm the prosperity of states – Argentina loan agreement (2018)
- In 2018, the $57bn Argentina loan agreement with conditions which included lessening budgets by 4.4%of its GDP from 2018 to 2020 and raising grain export taxes, intended to resolve the 50% inflation rate at the time and other policy mismanagements exacerbating Argentina’s economic crisis

unsuccessful:
Challenge to state sovereignty – Argentina (2016)
- The IMF has challenged state sovereignty by forcing countries like Argentina to adopt specific domestic policies in exchange for financial support. In Argentina’s case, compliance with IMF austerity measures worsened its economic and inflation problems rather than solving them. This reflects a broader issue with some of the IMF’s neoliberal policies, which, as noted in a 2016 article titled “Neoliberalism: Oversold?” can increase inequality and undermine long-term economic growth instead of fostering it. While the IMF aims to help stabilize economies, its policies sometimes do more harm than good.

Roles:
- Lending financial loans to states balance of payment difficulties
- Global governance - allows states to pursue economic security and stability
- Attaching reconstructive austerity measures to its loans

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11
Q

Evaluation of IMF power

A

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IMF provided swift financial assistance to over 80 countries, helping stabilize economies in crisis. For instance, Argentina received a $57 billion loan in 2018, the largest in IMF history, to prevent a debt crisis. However, this intervention drew criticism, as austerity measures attached to the loan sparked social unrest, highlighting the IMF’s often rigid conditionality. Similarly, in 2021, Zambia faced controversy after IMF bailout discussions, with concerns that conditions could deepen poverty despite the IMF’s goal of promoting economic stability. These cases illustrate the IMF’s ability to provide critical support but also its challenges in balancing financial stability with social impacts.

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12
Q

Aims and roles of International Criminal Court and successful and unsuccessful prosecution (can be evaluation of power)

A

Aims:
To ensure perpetrators of the most heinous crimes of international concern are held accountable, including the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression
successful:
Ahmad Mahdi trial (2016)
- On 22nd August 2016, Ahmad Mahdi admitted guilt to the war crimes consisting of destruction of historical and religious monuments in Timbuktu in Mali in 2012. This trial was the first international trial focusing on the destruction of historical and religious monuments and the first ICC case where the defendant made an admission to guilt. He was sentenced to 9 years in incarceration

unsuccessful:
Paul Gicheru (2022)
- ON 14th October 2022 the case of Paul Gicheru was terminated following the confirmation of his death. Former Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru was accused of corruptly influencing witnesses regarding cases from the situation in Kenya around 2007-2008 election violence. The ICC faced challenges in prosecuting Gicheru mainly due to the lack of corporation from the Kenyan government and difficulties securing evidence and witnesses. Additionally, Gicheru denied charges against him and refused to surrender to the ICC and ultimately the case was called off due to his passing. His case exemplifies the limitations of the ICC, especially when states regard the ICC as an infringement /challenge to state sovereignty, refusing to cooperate and ultimately resulting in an unsuccessful prosecution

Roles:
- Trial perpetrators in the Hague international court (international court of justice) located in Netherlands
- Court of last resort for when states are unable or unwilling to prosecute their criminals for severe crimes

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13
Q

Aims and roles of Amnesty International

A

Aims:
- Preventing abuses of human rights and demanding justice for those whose rights have been abused
- Promoting awareness of human rights abuses

Roles:
- Mobilisation/Galvanising public opinion to condemn human rights abuses
- Campaign and initiate protests

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14
Q

Evaluation of Amnesty International’s power

A

strength: power to spread awareness to citizens and harness their opinions to pressure governments primarily through globalisation, allowing for accelerated communication
In 2017, AI was able to galvanise the public to support the abolishment of executions in Mongolia, leading to constitutional voting which pressuring the government to establish a New Criminal Code. This highlights AI’s ability to challenge domestic sovereignty by pressuring governments using public support from promoting awareness to a wide range of people to achieve its aim of defending human rights abuses.

limitation: lack of strong enforcement mechanisms
In November 2022, Amnesty International released a report calling for Iran to abolish death penalties, however due to AI’s lack of strong enforcement mechanisms, Iran’s policy remains unchanged, seen as in May 2023, 3 men were executed for participating in protests in Esfahan city.

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15
Q

Aims and roles of Islamic State (ISIS) and successful achievement of aims

A

Aims:
- Establish a caliphate, Sunni Islamic state
- Spread Jihadist ideology globally
successful:
Establishing a caliphate (2014)
- In 2014, IS took over 45,000 square kilometres, approximately ⅓ of Syria and Iraq territory, effectively achieving their aim of establishing a caliphate
Cleaning infidels (2021)
- Two suicide bombings set among a crowd of people in Kabul airport Afghanistan attack Aug 2021, killing 170 civilians (BCC), aimed to eliminate the Afghanistan Shia Muslims minority demographic perceived as “infidels”

Roles:
- Recruiting fighters and supports
- Cleansing perceived infidels who do not agree with their ideology

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16
Q

Evaluation of ISIS power

A

Strength:
- Power has been exacerbated through globalisation
- Use of extreme violence, military power and asymmetric warfare
- More powerful than other non-state actors as it may assert hard power
Increased the use of international air travel, enabling IS’s efforts to recruit up to 40,000 foreign fighters from across the world, who have participated in 424 suicide bombings, killing over 4,900 people in Iraq and Syria.

limitation:
- Remain too small to challenge the most powerful states + power against state’s organised military power
Batte of Mosul (2016)
- The U.S.-led coalition’s military intervention to defeat ISIS, specifically through the Battle of Mosul beginning in 2016. The coalition, comprising U.S. forces, the Iraqi military, and Kurdish troops, used airstrikes and ground operations to reclaim Mosul, which ISIS had declared its capital in Iraq. While the intervention successfully weakened ISIS by liberating the city in July 2017, it also resulted in substantial civilian casualties and extensive damage, highlighting the effectiveness of the campaign in countering ISIS but also the significant humanitarian challenges that followed.

17
Q

Apple INC aims and roles

A

Aims:
- Maximise profit
- Market expansion and revenue growth

Roles:
- Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management
- Employment and skills

18
Q

Evaluation of Apple’s power (can be successful and unsuccessful achievement of aim)

A

Power of FDI - Pegatron FDI (2018)
- A recent example of Apple’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) occurred in 2018 when the company invested in expanding its partnership with Pegatron, another major supplier in India. Apple committed to building manufacturing facilities in Chennai, enabling the local production of iPhones to meet growing demand. This move allowed Apple to reduce its reliance on China and diversify its supply chain while taking advantage of India’s skilled labour and favourable business conditions. The investment also aligned with India’s “Make in India” initiative, promoting local manufacturing. This FDI helped Apple strengthen its global operations and maintain competitiveness in the tech industry.

Limitation:
- However, Apple’s power has limits. In 2019, it faced criticism for poor working conditions in supplier factories, especially in China and India. In India, protests broke out over labour rights violations at Wistron’s iPhone plant, showing that Apple has limited control over working conditions in its supply chain. So, while Apple’s FDI expands its global reach, it still faces challenges from regulations and labour issues

Power of intellectual property – Samsung (2018)
- A successful example of Apple’s intellectual property is displayed through the successful battle between Apple and Samsung in 2018. After years of litigation, Samsung was forced to pay Apple 500 million damages for infringing Apple’s designs and utility patents related to smartphones. This outcome showcases Apple’s power of intellectual property and its ability to protect its innovative designs and technologies and deter potential imitators in the competitive smartphone market