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International Relations > What is International Relations? > Flashcards

What is International Relations? Flashcards

1
Q

Actors

A

Main players in international relations

States
NGOs
International Organizations
Large Companies

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2
Q

Organization of Political Authority. 5 categories.

A

How states are organized politically?

Some are authoritarian. Others are democracies.

Some have stricter environmental laws than others.

Some have more generous welfare states, others less so.

Some states are multicultural while others are nationalistic.

Some have command economies. Others liberal market economies.

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3
Q

How did International Relations Come to Be?

A

Arose out of the desire to end war after the First World War.

David Davies funded First Department of International Relations at University College of Wales.

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4
Q

David Davies

A

Peace activist. Wanted to end war for good. Supported League of Nations.

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5
Q

1st Great Debate

A

Idealism v Realism (Took Place in late 1930s)

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6
Q

Idealism (1st Great Debate) and Proponents

A

Proponents: Norman Angell, David Davies

No power politics, secret diplomacy, and alliances.
Supported League of Nations and disarmament.

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7
Q

Realism (1st Great Debate) and Proponents

A

Proponent: E.H. Carr

Thought idealism was naive and too “idealistic”. Critiqued league of Nations as it did not prevent WWII.

Cannot wish away power politics, secret diplomacy and alliances. Cannot wish away role of power and nationalism in international relations. States will continue to behave this way accordingly.

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8
Q

EH Carr

A

One of first international scholars in University College of Wales

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9
Q

Changes in IR after WWII

A

Proliferation of schools of thought such as neoliberalism and constructivism

Debate between historical and scientific approaches to IR

Division of IR as academic discipline to study at universities and as professional training for diplomats.

IR sought to address new issues on top of war such as technology, the environment, and the economy

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10
Q

2nd Great Debate

A

Debate between whether international relations can be studied from a classical or scientific approach.

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11
Q

Scientific Approach

A

Uses methods from natural sciences to study IR. Proponent of use of predictive models to study IR and predict outcomes in IR.

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12
Q

Classical Approach

A

Skeptical of predictive models in IR. We cannot predict outcomes in IR. Using philosophy, law and history to approach IR rather than scientific approach.

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13
Q

Why was Hedley Bull proponent of classical approach?

A

Using a scientific approach will not allow us to find answers of significance about international relations. A more humanistic approach based in history, law and philosophy is required.

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14
Q

3rd Great Debate

A

Neoliberalism vs Neorealism

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15
Q

Neorealism Definition

A

Created by Kenneth Waltz. Infused scientific approach into realism.

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16
Q

Neoliberalism

A

New approach to IR in opposition to Neorealism founded by Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye.

Focuses on why states cooperate despite anarchy.

Complex Interdependence: States are not only actors in IR now as the field grows more complex.

International Organizations create trust between states.

Absolute gains: States cooperate when they benefit, not if they stand to gain more than the other states.

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17
Q

Explanatory Theory

A

Seeks to Answer How and Why Questions.

Ex: Why Does War Happen?

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18
Q

Predictive Theory

A

Interested In What Will Happen In Specific Circumstances Based on Generalizations from Multiple Cases/Examples

Ex: Countries with Female Leaders Handle Coronavirus Better Based On Correlation.

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19
Q

Normative Theories

A

Interested in what is right and what is wrong. Answers what should happen.

Ex: Should UK leave the EU?

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20
Q

Levels of Analysis

A

Individual-level: What causes events in IR at the individual level? (What goes in world leaders’ and other decision makers’ head when they are making decisions?)

Unit-level analysis: Looking at governments, agencies and bureaucracies and how their organization and characteristics impact international relations.

System-level analysis: Looking at the international system to explain international relations. (Distribution of power, balance of power, anarchy etc.)

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21
Q

Classical Realism. Influential Thinkers? Tenets?

A

Dates back to Thucydides, Hobbes, and Machiavelli, Morgenthau

Wars are inevitable due to human nature (mistrustful, aggressive, egoistic, power-hungry)

No change (such as in war) is possible in international politics due to human nature.

Diplomacy should be secretive and done by elites.

National leaders must ensure national security and not be constrained by morals to advance state’s interests.

States must be autonomous from international organizations.

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22
Q

Hans Morgenthau

A

Famous classical realist thinker

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23
Q

Anarchy

A

IR concept; Lack of world government

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24
Q

Defensive Neo-Realism

A

Developed by Kenneth Waltz

Wars inevitable due to Anarchy.

Anarchy creates mistrust and security dilemma, making cooperation between states difficult.

Only change possible in IR is in distribution of power between states.

Focuses on great powers and competition between them

Only hope for fragile, temporary peace when there is a balance of power

25
Q

Offensive Neo-Realism

A

John Mearsheimer challenged Waltz. Says Great Powers are always searching for ways to gain power over rivals with hegemony in mind.

26
Q

Classical Liberalism. Influential Thinkers. Tenets.

A

Influenced by Kant, Locke, Hume and Grotius.

Focus on human rights and securing permanent peace as envisioned by Kant.

Wars can be overcome through trade, education, international institutions and technology.

Advocated for League of Nations.

Secret Diplomacy and Alliances are bad, lead to conflict. There needs to be openness in IR.

27
Q

Democratic Peace Theory

A

Coined by Immanuel Kant. Says democracies are inherently less aggressive than dictatorships. Thus, more democracies means greater peace between states.

28
Q

Angell on Anarchy

A

Anarchy between states will lead to conflict, which makes international institutions necessary to mediate disputes between states peaceably.

29
Q

Keohane on Information

A

Information is important in IR. International institutions can provide a wealth of info, and if evenly provided to states, can facilitate cooperation.

30
Q

Constructivism

A

Founded by Alexander Wendt

Shared knowledge, values, norms, beliefs, and ideas or lack thereof between states plays a role in various events in IR

States are social constructs. A state exists because people believe and recognize it exists. Borders are in our heads.

Anarchy doesn’t necessarily lead to conflict. In order to predict probability of conflict between states, we need to look at the identities of those states. Some states are more aggressive while others are more peaceful. Those identities can evolve.

31
Q

Life cycle of international norms. Definition and Steps.

A

Concept of Constructivism.

Emergence: First promoted by norm entrepreneurs (Can be govs, NGOs, and any actors)

Cascade: Particular norm becomes more influential among states

Internalisation: Norm is recognized as international norm. Countries who don’t abide by norm are pressured to accept it.

32
Q

Feminism. Influential Thinkers. Tenets.

A

Perspective in IR. Ann Tickner and Cynthia Enloe

Believes people are an important thing to study in IR. Believes other perspectives focuses too much on states and the international system, but there is very little discussion of people.

Women are excluded from study in IR (not seen as valid subjects of study, and IR tends to focus on concepts associated mainly with masculinity).

Redefine security to be broad in all forms of violence (poverty, war, domestic violence, rape, ecological destruction, gender subordination)

Challenges traditional gender divide as men as protectors while women are protected, but most casualties in war are women and children.

33
Q

Political Life in Medieval Europe. Characteristics.

A

Holy Roman Empire (federation of German-speaking political units) and Catholic Church competed for power in Europe.

Feudalism

Cities consisted of independent merchants

Principalities, Duchies, Kings (had limited power)

34
Q

How did states emerge in Europe?

A

In 14th century, states emerged between pope and Holy Roman Empire.

Growing trade required protection for merchants from local knights. Kings needed wealth to push back upon power of Pope and Holy Roman Emperor. This created an opportunity for the emergence of states.

So, heads of state started creating their own armies. Italian city states were at the forefront of the trend.

35
Q

What accelerated the development of modern states in Europe?

A

Religious wars in 16th century.

Protestant Reformation (and Counter Reformation).

Many peace treaties which took power away from pope and local authorities to states.

36
Q

Peace of Augsburg

A

Princes of states in Holy Roman Empire are allowed to determine which religion the people of their state will follow (Lutheranism or Catholicism). No state may wage war on another state based on this.

37
Q

Peace of Westphalia. Context. Important tenets. Effects.

A

End 30 years’ war (1618-1648)

Solidified sovereignty for each state in Holy Roman Empire. Established principle of non-intervention for states. States cannot interfere in affairs of other Holy Roman Empire States.

Marked birth of modern sovereign states as we know them today. (Westphalian System)

States became main military actors instead of local actors such as knights.

Emergence of modern diplomacy as we know it today such as embassies and ambassadors. Also created the idea of diplomatic immunity.

Emergence of balance of power in 18th and 19th century Europe. (States wanted to ensure no one state got too much power such as Unified Germany and Napoleonic France)

Emergence of international treaties as basis for international law

38
Q

Chinese perspective on IR

A

Unlike the states system in Europe, most of China’s history was as a hierarchical empire.

39
Q

Hedley Bull on War

A

War is organized violence between political units for the very objective of achieving political goals.

40
Q

Thomas Hobbes on War

A

The world is in a state of nature without states

State of nature: No one is safe, no trust, there is war, fear shapes human life.

Solution: States with sovereign power who can enforce rules.

41
Q

Thucydides on War

A

War will occur because of the nature of humans and states. Both are power-hungry. It’s futile to prevent war.

42
Q

Why does Waltz believe anarchy causes war?

A

It leads to self-help, mistrust and conflict between states.

43
Q

War in Liberalism

A

Woodrow Wilson (War caused by Balance of power politics)

Alliances and secret diplomacy cause war.

To overcome war, we need to overcome anarchy (Which means establishing international institutions)

44
Q

Popular means for ensuring peace

A

Alliances, balance of power, and collective security

45
Q

Waltz on Balance of Power

A

Multipolar systems less stable and unpredictable vs bipolar systems.

Balance of power changes (ex: bipolar to multipolar) through change in capabilities such as military and economic power of countries.

Imbalance of power is dangerous to weak and strong states. Strong states because they may engage in dangerously adventurous activity in ambition for more power.

46
Q

Collective security

A

Under a collective security arrangement, an aggressor against any one state is considered an aggressor against all other states, which act together to repel the aggressor. These are global in scope in contrast to alliances between a select few countries.

47
Q

Why did the United States not join the League of Nations?

A

The Senate did not want to abide by the collective security obligations of the League of Nations.

48
Q

League of Nations Covenant, regarding War

A

Article 10: States pledged to protect all members against aggression

Article 11: Any war is a concern of all states

Articles 12 and 15: States should resolve disputes through arbitration and not go to war until 3 months after arbitration fails

Article 16: Any war against League of Nations procedures is a war against all members of the League.

49
Q

United Nations Purpose

A

To prevent war

To promote justice and abiding by international law

To promote human rights

To promote social progress and boost in living standards

50
Q

History of EU

A

1951: European Coal and Steel Community Created to control steel and coal resources as those are the main materials for armament. Created by 6 countries for greater European integration and increasing chances of European peace.
1957: ECSC became EEC (European Economic Community). 6 countries extended cooperation to other areas.
1993: European Union created on three pillars: economic cooperation, common foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs (homeland security and judicial cooperation).

51
Q

World Bank

A

Bretton Woods Institution that lends money to other countries for development projects often in exchange for market reforms (Structural Adjustment Programs), like reductions in welfare spending, privatization and deregulation.

52
Q

International Monetary Fund

A

Bretton Woods Institution that lends money to countries to stabilize their currencies and maintain order in international financial markets.

Often argued their conditions for loans to poor countries worsens conditions for their citizens.

53
Q

World Trade Organization Definition and Criticisms.

A

Bretton Woods Institution that seeks to facilitate international trade and reduce barriers to trade like tariffs. Mediates trade disputes between countries. Successor to GATT.

Trade liberalization benefits rich countries disproportionately.

Trade negotiations favor corporate interests. WTO neglects agricultural protectionism of wealthy countries.

54
Q

Liberal Approach to International Political Economy

A

Economic forces should regulate economic relations between countries, leading to harmonious relations between countries.

Economics should drive politics. Economic interactions between countries should be free from political restrictions.

Prosperity is available to all countries through cooperation.

55
Q

Realist Approach to International Political Economy

A

Economic relations between countries is a zero-sum game. Some will thrive and benefit. Others will suffer.

Politics drives economics. Countries use economic issues as political tools such as Russia and oil. That’s how things should be done.

States should use the economy and foreign economic policy to enhance power.

56
Q

John Mearsheimer on American Hegemony

A

The US supports free trade, open markets and the Bretton Woods Institutions’ promotion of them because it benefits it and allows it to maintain hegemony with these supposedly “liberal” ideas. These liberal values are being used to pursue self-interest (a realist objective).

57
Q

Marxist Approach to International Political Economy

A

Developed countries keep developing countries weak and poor to exploit them for economic gain.

World politics is divided into have (power, resources, human capital, money) and have-not countries.

Bourgeoisie exploits working class worldwide.

58
Q

Marxism/Leninism on War

A

International economic inequality, rich countries’ imperialism to further own economic interests causes war. The rich countries’ foreign policy and imperialistic ambitions bow down to the interests of the wealthy elite.

59
Q

Liberal, Realist, and Marxist Views on Globalization

A

Liberal: Globalization is good and boosts prosperity for all countries.

Realism: Globalization is a product of state policy. Undermines the power of states in international relations.

Marxism: Globalization is bad capitalistic endeavor. Screws poor countries and disadvantaged classes.

International Relations (4 decks)

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