UNIT 3 AOS 1 REVISION Flashcards
Aim of state (what they want to achieve)
- 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
Role of state (what they do)
- 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
Evaluation of power of states (the ability to influence actions of others)
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.
Regional groupings impact on state sovereignty
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.
Contested borders impact on state sovereignty
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
Issues that require multilateral resolution and its impact on state sovereignty
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”.
Impact of globalisation on state sovereignty
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.
Aims and roles of UN and successful and unsuccessful achievement of aim
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
Evaluation of UN’s power
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
Aims and roles of International Monetary Fund and successful and unsuccessful achievement of aim
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
Evaluation of IMF power
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.
Aims and roles of International Criminal Court and successful and unsuccessful prosecution (can be evaluation of power)
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
Aims and roles of Amnesty International
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
Evaluation of Amnesty International’s power
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.
Aims and roles of Islamic State (ISIS) and successful achievement of aims
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
