World Society and Norm Centred Approaches

Question 1

What is a key idea of the World Society Approach in international relations?

Answer 1

The world shares common norms and structures like states, sovereignty, constitutions, social norms (e.g., equality and rights), and belief in progress, which are often officially supported even if not fully implemented.

Question 2

What are the 7 key elements that shape modern societies are structured and function globally?

Answer 2

1. The state
2. State sovereignty
3. Formal structures (parliament, constitutions, armies)
4. Social norms (equality between the sexes, childrens rights, etc)
5. Notion of citizenship entailing individual rights and equality
6. Reliance on ‘expert’ knowledge
7. Belief in western rationality - progress, technology, science-economic growth and so on

Question 3

Why can’t traditional theories in political science explain world society?

Answer 3

1. Functionalism can”t explain why Western cultural model doesn’t work for many societies.
2. Realism/Neorealism can’t explain weak states being artificially maintained (“quasi states”).
3. Anthropological and Sociological Models focus on local cultures, but world culture is universal.
4. Marxism focuses on economic effects, but these effects are mostly cultural.

Question 4

What is expansive structuration in world society theory?

Answer 4

Global norms and structures evolve as world culture expands

1. Mimesis (Copying and Imitation): Governments and elites copy each other’s systems, spreading cultural models worldwide.
2. Global Institutions and Associations: Organizations like the UN and WHO create and spread cultural norms globally.
3. Local actors: (governments, social movements, corporations) adopt and spread global norms, influencing national systems.

This process results in the widespread adoption of global cultural norms that shape the international system.

Question 5

Expansive structuration works in a dynamic, dialectical process. Explain this

Answer 5

Sub-national actors first identify a problem in their society that is related to globally accepted norms

These actors then appeal to their governments and global institutions for support, seeking to align their local practices with international norms.

As a result, global institutions exert pressure on national governments “from above,” urging them to adopt the global norms and standards. At the same time, they empower sub-national actors by validating their claims.

This creates a “pincer movement”—a dual pressure from both local actors and global institutions—that encourages national governments to comply with world cultural norms.

Question 6

What are 4 key insights in World Society Approaches

Answer 6

1. Norms can disseminate very effectively even in the absence of a formal hierarchy or even because of this absence
2. Cultural globalisation strengthens the state because the model for the state is itself part of ‘world culture content’
3. Communications technologies accelerate this process
4. World culture is expansive and dynamic precisely because there is no world state

Question 7

What are 3 advantages of WSA?

Answer 7

1. Addresses puzzles that conventional IR theories leave unresolved: why is there so much uniformity despite political fragmentationa and the absence of a world state?
2. It shows that cultural integration is not necessarily linked to political integration
3. Saves us from economic reductionism

Question 8

What do Jackson and Rosberg argue in their article, “Why Africa’s weak states persist: The empirical and juridical in statehood”?

Answer 8

The article argues that the persistence of African states is primarily due to the juridical recognition and support provided by the international community, rather than the empirical strength of these states.

Question 9

In Jackson and Rosberg’s article, there are two definitions of states. What are they?

Answer 9

Weberian concept of state: Emphasizes the empirical attributes of a state, namely the monopoly of force within a defined territory

Ian Browne’s definition: a state possesses four attributes - a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Question 10

What does Jackson and Rosberg argue about the role of International society on Juridicial statehood?

Answer 10

Juridicial statehood is recognized by the international community based on legal factors, like having territory and independence, rather than just empirical realities

Question 11

What are some limits of international society according to Jackson and Rosberg?

Answer 11

While international society supports the new state jurisdictions of independent Africa, it is limited in its ability to ensure that resources are effectively used by these governments.

Question 12

What are four factors that contribute to the perseverance of juridicial statehood in Africa?

Answer 12

1. Pan-Africanism: shared identities and history of colonialsm
2. Common vulnerabilities of internal and external interference
3. International orgs: UN OAU
4. Foreign powers not willing to intervene without invitation

Question 13

In Meyer et al’s article, “World society and the nation-state” what is the core argument supported by four main points?

Answer 13

CORE ARGUMENT
Overall, the article argues that nation-states are profoundly shaped by a worldwide culture that promotes rationalized models, leading to global similarities despite local differences.

1. Nation states are constructed by exogenous forces
2. Rationalistic world culture influences national states
3. World society enhances the impact of world culture
4. Dynamics of world culture lead to expansion, conflict and change

Question 14

According to Meyer et al, explain the first core argument that nation states are constructed by exogenous forces

Answer 14

Nation-states are shaped by outside influences

Modern nation-states model global models that spread through international culture and organizations.

Global culture shapes how countries act to match global standards, even if they don’t develop these systems locally. The lack of a single global leader allows these ideas to spread across nations.

Question 15

According to Meyer et al, explain the second core argument: Rationalistic world culture influences national states

Answer 15

It is a rationally sound idea for nation-states to follow global models and ideas because they are widely accepted as logical and legitimate.

By adopting these universal standards, states gain recognition and legitimacy on the world stage. This global culture influences how states organize themselves and act, regardless of local conditions.
(Macrophenomenological)

Question 16

According to Meyer et al, explain the third core argument: World society enhances the impact of world culture

Answer 16

World society strengthens global culture’s influence on nation-states through:

1. Adopting Global Models: Isolated societies quickly adopt universal systems like governance and policies.
2. Global Organizations: NGOs and international bodies promote these models.
3. Science and Expertise: Universal scientific knowledge drives societal development.

Question 17

According to Meyer et al, explain the fourth core argument: Dynamics of world culture lead to expansion, conflict and change

Answer 17

World culture fosters expansion, conflict, and change due to:

Competing models spread freely: because there is no world authority

Actor Competition: Countries, organizations, and individuals vie for resources and recognition.

Cultural Contradictions: Tensions between values like equality vs. liberty fuel disputes.

Rational Action: Belief in rationality drives innovation and change

Question 18

What are the critiques of microrealism, macrorealism, and microphenomenology in the Meyer et al’s article?

Answer 18

1. Microrealism assumes nation-states are natural and rational actors, ignoring the role of culture.
2. Macrorealism sees the nation-state as a result of power systems, with culture as a mere by-product of hegemony.
3. Microphenomenology views the nation-state as shaped by national cultures but overlooks the influence of global processes.

Question 19

According to Meyer et al, what is isomorphism in the context of nation-states.

Answer 19

Isomorphism means that nation-states tend to look and act similarly because they are shaped by the same global cultural influences, rather than by their unique, internal circumstances. They adopt common structures and behaviors to fit into the global system, which promotes shared ideas of what a “proper” nation-state should be. This explains why many nation-states end up with similar political or social systems, regardless of their individual histories or contexts.