Global PoliticsGlobal Politics

Chapters 1-3Chapters 1-3

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Introduction: Into A New CountryIntroduction: Into A New Country

““Global politics is a complex congruence of physical and intellectual Global politics is a complex congruence of physical and intellectual power, political structures and institutions, and personalities.”power, political structures and institutions, and personalities.”

Approximately 83% of all Canadian exports are traded to Approximately 83% of all Canadian exports are traded to the United States.the United States.High Politics concern state security, grand strategies, High Politics concern state security, grand strategies, and the use of military force.and the use of military force.Low Politics concern trade, investment, culture, and Low Politics concern trade, investment, culture, and environmental problems.environmental problems.Unilateral are actions performed by a single state.Unilateral are actions performed by a single state.Multilateral are actions performed by many states.Multilateral are actions performed by many states.Post international politics is an age characterized by the Post international politics is an age characterized by the “decline of long standing patterns” leaving us uncertain “decline of long standing patterns” leaving us uncertain about “where the changes may be leading”.about “where the changes may be leading”.

The Interdisciplinary, Yet Divided, DisciplineThe Interdisciplinary, Yet Divided, Discipline

International Relations theory is a body of literature that International Relations theory is a body of literature that seeks to explain the nature of the international system seeks to explain the nature of the international system and the behaviour of the actors within it.and the behaviour of the actors within it.International security had traditionally involved the study International security had traditionally involved the study of conflict and war and the attempts to prevent or control of conflict and war and the attempts to prevent or control it.it.International political economy is the study of issues. For International political economy is the study of issues. For example: trade, finance, foreign dept. Underdevelopment example: trade, finance, foreign dept. Underdevelopment became increasingly prominent in international affairs.became increasingly prominent in international affairs.International organization is the study of institutions. For International organization is the study of institutions. For example, the United Nations is generally focused on example, the United Nations is generally focused on means of co-operation such as establishment of regimes means of co-operation such as establishment of regimes or agreements among states, groups, or individuals.or agreements among states, groups, or individuals.

“Indeed knowledge may be power, but it must make sense to be of any use.”

Subfields of International Relations

Three Main Levels of AnalysisThree Main Levels of Analysis

Individual Level of AnalysisIndividual Level of Analysis focuses on the decisions of focuses on the decisions of individuals, and the perceptions, values and experiences individuals, and the perceptions, values and experiences that motivate those decisions. It generally emphasizes that motivate those decisions. It generally emphasizes the role of political leaders, for those individuals that the role of political leaders, for those individuals that have the most influence on history.have the most influence on history.State or Group Level of AnalysisState or Group Level of Analysis focuses on the focuses on the behaviours of the individual states, which is often behaviours of the individual states, which is often attributed to the form of government one finds at a attributed to the form of government one finds at a particular time.particular time.Systemic Level of AnalysisSystemic Level of Analysis, the actions of states are , the actions of states are seen as the result of external influences and pressures seen as the result of external influences and pressures on them in relation to their attributes or position in the on them in relation to their attributes or position in the world politics.world politics.

IdealismIdealism

An idealist perspective assumes the best of human An idealist perspective assumes the best of human nature: we are essentially cooperative political animals nature: we are essentially cooperative political animals who are occasionally led astray by evil influences into who are occasionally led astray by evil influences into war and conflict, and we have a natural affinity toward war and conflict, and we have a natural affinity toward the communal as opposed to the individual good.the communal as opposed to the individual good.

Human Nature is essentially good.Human Nature is essentially good. Evil is not innate to humanity.Evil is not innate to humanity. Social progress is possible.Social progress is possible. The main problem in international relations in war.The main problem in international relations in war. War can be prevented.War can be prevented. International cooperation will promote peace.International cooperation will promote peace.

RealismRealism

Classic realism, as it has come to be Classic realism, as it has come to be called, is less generous regarding human called, is less generous regarding human nature. People are generally viewed as nature. People are generally viewed as nasty self-serving creatures, and political nasty self-serving creatures, and political power merely corrupts them further.power merely corrupts them further.

The Idealist and Realist Perspective ComparedThe Idealist and Realist Perspective Compared

ISSUEISSUE IDEALISMIDEALISM REALISMREALISM

Human NatureHuman Nature Good; altruisticGood; altruistic Evil; selfishEvil; selfish

Central ProblemCentral Problem War and the War and the establishment of peaceestablishment of peace War and securityWar and security

Key FactorsKey Factors States and individualsStates and individuals StatesStates

Motives of FactorsMotives of Factors Mutual assistance; Mutual assistance; collaborationcollaboration

Power; national interest; Power; national interest; securitysecurity

Nature of international Nature of international politicspolitics

Cooperation and Cooperation and communitycommunity AnarchyAnarchy

Outlook on FutureOutlook on Future OptimismOptimism Pessimism; stabilityPessimism; stability

Policy prescriptions and Policy prescriptions and solutionssolutions

Reform the system; Reform the system; develop institutionsdevelop institutions

Enhance power; protect Enhance power; protect national interestsnational interests

Structural RealismStructural Realism

The vision of realism focuses on the The vision of realism focuses on the systematic level analysis, structure systematic level analysis, structure determine behaviour; the structure of the determine behaviour; the structure of the international system is anarchic, lacking a international system is anarchic, lacking a central political authority that can constrain central political authority that can constrain individual states.individual states.

LiberalismLiberalism

Liberalism suggests people can rationally co-Liberalism suggests people can rationally co-operate in the name of self-interest (since what operate in the name of self-interest (since what is good for what may be good for another as is good for what may be good for another as well), liberals emphasize the importance of well), liberals emphasize the importance of private property, law, free markets, democracy private property, law, free markets, democracy and justice.and justice.Great importance is placed on economic growth, Great importance is placed on economic growth, both domestically and internationally.both domestically and internationally.Two popular variants in liberalism are in Two popular variants in liberalism are in circulation today: complex interdependence and circulation today: complex interdependence and neoliberal instititionalism.neoliberal instititionalism.

Complex InterdependenceComplex InterdependenceArgues that economic factors are fast becoming as Argues that economic factors are fast becoming as important as military matters, and that nonstate factors important as military matters, and that nonstate factors such as multinational corporations and nongovernmental such as multinational corporations and nongovernmental organizations play important roles alongside statesorganizations play important roles alongside states

Neoliberal InstitutionalismNeoliberal Institutionalism Often called regimes, sets of principles, norms, rules, Often called regimes, sets of principles, norms, rules,

and decision-making procedures around.and decision-making procedures around. Reduces uncertainty and allows people to get on with Reduces uncertainty and allows people to get on with

important transnational business such as trade, important transnational business such as trade, investments, or pursuing human rights movements.investments, or pursuing human rights movements.

Overall essential argument: is that the anarchism is so Overall essential argument: is that the anarchism is so instrumental in a structural realist understanding of instrumental in a structural realist understanding of global politics need not prevent states and individuals global politics need not prevent states and individuals from achieving a more harmonious world.from achieving a more harmonious world.

Neomarxism and Dependency TheoryNeomarxism and Dependency TheoryThe central assumption behind these perspectives is that The central assumption behind these perspectives is that economic classes are the primary units of analysis in economic classes are the primary units of analysis in world affairs and hat the economic growth experienced world affairs and hat the economic growth experienced by the rich Northern world has come at the cost of by the rich Northern world has come at the cost of others, namely those in poor Southern world.others, namely those in poor Southern world.

FeminismFeminism Primary focus of feminism of inequality and the critique Primary focus of feminism of inequality and the critique

of the partiachal system that perpetuate it.of the partiachal system that perpetuate it. Liberal feminists argue that women’s participation in Liberal feminists argue that women’s participation in

world affairs had been too silent or marginalized and that world affairs had been too silent or marginalized and that this situation must be corrected.this situation must be corrected.

Feminists who are more radical argue this correction Feminists who are more radical argue this correction would be insufficient and that deeper changes are would be insufficient and that deeper changes are necessary.necessary.

PostmodernismPostmodernism Primarily concerned with how people interpret the world Primarily concerned with how people interpret the world

around them and they act on understanding.around them and they act on understanding. Reject the idea that realists, liberals, or Marxists can Reject the idea that realists, liberals, or Marxists can

ever really know anything concrete about global politics ever really know anything concrete about global politics or built objective about the world.or built objective about the world.

Strand of postmodernist: deconstructionists emphasize Strand of postmodernist: deconstructionists emphasize the importance of breaking down popular texts or the importance of breaking down popular texts or discourses to understand the power relations they discourses to understand the power relations they perpetuate.perpetuate.

EnvironmentalismEnvironmentalism Advocates reconceptualizing capitalism or redefining Advocates reconceptualizing capitalism or redefining

human relations.human relations. Constructivism stresses the impact of intersubjective Constructivism stresses the impact of intersubjective

understandings among political actors on constituting understandings among political actors on constituting their own ideas.their own ideas.

Chapter 2Chapter 2

History and Global Politics; War History and Global Politics; War and Peaceand Peace

History and Global Politics: War History and Global Politics: War and Peace.and Peace.

In order to understand wars and attacks In order to understand wars and attacks that have occurred throughout history you that have occurred throughout history you must look at the relationship and beliefs of must look at the relationship and beliefs of the participating countries.the participating countries.

Countries glorifying their actionsCountries glorifying their actions

THE ANCIENT LEGACY: THE RISE THE ANCIENT LEGACY: THE RISE AND FALL OF CIVILIZATIONS AND AND FALL OF CIVILIZATIONS AND

EMPIRES:EMPIRES:

In history, the less powerful countries or empires In history, the less powerful countries or empires sufferedsuffered

ASSIMILATIONASSIMILATION The rise and fall of empires was dominated by The rise and fall of empires was dominated by

Europe (referred to as rise of the West)Europe (referred to as rise of the West)

THE MODERN STATE AND THE THE MODERN STATE AND THE PEACE OF WESTPHALIA:PEACE OF WESTPHALIA:

Modern International system is called the Modern International system is called the Westphalia state systemWestphalia state system

Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years’ Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years’ War in Europe in 1648 and brought about the War in Europe in 1648 and brought about the beginning of the supremacy of the state as a beginning of the supremacy of the state as a sovereign territorial actor and the beginning of sovereign territorial actor and the beginning of the end of the church’s influence in political the end of the church’s influence in political European affairs.European affairs.

2/3 of German population was killed or displaced 2/3 of German population was killed or displaced during Thirty Year’s Warduring Thirty Year’s War

THE RISE OF THE EUROPEAN THE RISE OF THE EUROPEAN EMPIRES:EMPIRES:

The 17th and 18th centuries in Europe were The 17th and 18th centuries in Europe were about territorial expansion of states about territorial expansion of states

France was most powerful state in Europe in the France was most powerful state in Europe in the mid to late 1600’s but became weakened in the mid to late 1600’s but became weakened in the 1800’s due to continual warfare and alliances 1800’s due to continual warfare and alliances that were built against Francethat were built against France

Revolts rocked European empires in the late Revolts rocked European empires in the late 1800’s, the most significant being the French 1800’s, the most significant being the French revolution (1789-1794)revolution (1789-1794)

By 1914 the US became one of the world’s By 1914 the US became one of the world’s leading powersleading powers

PATTERNS IN THE HISTORY OF PATTERNS IN THE HISTORY OF WAR AND PEACE:WAR AND PEACE:

The recurrence of war and conflict between The recurrence of war and conflict between civilizations, peoples, and empirescivilizations, peoples, and empires

The rise and fall of civilizations and empiresThe rise and fall of civilizations and empires The recorded political history is primarily The recorded political history is primarily

history of the activities of great civilizations, history of the activities of great civilizations, empires, and statesempires, and states

The development of an intellectual tradition on The development of an intellectual tradition on statecraft, drawn from historical experiencestatecraft, drawn from historical experience

The rise of political geography and geopoliticsThe rise of political geography and geopolitics

WORLD WAR IWORLD WAR I

Marked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Marked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 Ferdinand at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914

Triple Alliance – Germany, Austro-Hungary, and ItalyTriple Alliance – Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Italy Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, RussiaTriple Entente – Great Britain, France, Russia Austria delivered ultimatum to Belgrade and then Austria delivered ultimatum to Belgrade and then

declared was on July 28, 1914declared was on July 28, 1914 The state, nationalism, and the Industrial Revolution The state, nationalism, and the Industrial Revolution

combined to create “total war”combined to create “total war” When Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles they When Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles they

agreed to not possess a large army, its’ colonies were agreed to not possess a large army, its’ colonies were distributed to the victors of the war, pay for all damages, distributed to the victors of the war, pay for all damages, and assume all guilt for the warand assume all guilt for the war

INTERWAR PERIODINTERWAR PERIOD

Hitler came to power in Germany and he Hitler came to power in Germany and he rebuilt their army taking over several rebuilt their army taking over several colonies/countriescolonies/countries

The great powers of the interwar period The great powers of the interwar period were Germany, Italy and Japanwere Germany, Italy and Japan

WORLD WAR II: TOTAL WARWORLD WAR II: TOTAL WAR

WWII began on September 3, 1939WWII began on September 3, 1939 On April 30, 1945 Hitler committed suicideOn April 30, 1945 Hitler committed suicide May 7, Germany surrenderedMay 7, Germany surrendered Two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan by Two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan by

the US to try and end the war (Hiroshima on the US to try and end the war (Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and Nagasaki on August 9)August 6, 1945 and Nagasaki on August 9)

September 2, 1945 Japan surrenderedSeptember 2, 1945 Japan surrendered End of WWII brought about two new powers: the End of WWII brought about two new powers: the

US and the Soviet UnionUS and the Soviet Union

HISTORY, ALLIANCES, AND THE HISTORY, ALLIANCES, AND THE BALANCE OF POWER CONCEPT:BALANCE OF POWER CONCEPT:

Military power and alliances are what realist Military power and alliances are what realist believe to be the ordering mechanism of believe to be the ordering mechanism of international politics since the ancient world: the international politics since the ancient world: the balance of powerbalance of power

Balance of power exists to ensure survival of the Balance of power exists to ensure survival of the state system and preservation of balance of state system and preservation of balance of power has often required warpower has often required war

Distribution of power is often described by Distribution of power is often described by polarity which describes the number of polarity which describes the number of independent centers or concentrations of power independent centers or concentrations of power in the system.in the system.

Continued.Continued.

Multi-polar systems consist of 3-7 independent Multi-polar systems consist of 3-7 independent poles that are basically equal in power, these poles that are basically equal in power, these can be regional in scope, or localizedcan be regional in scope, or localized

Bipolar systems consist of two centers of power Bipolar systems consist of two centers of power which can either be two predominant states or which can either be two predominant states or two great rival alliance blocstwo great rival alliance blocs

Uni-polar system is a single centre of power and Uni-polar system is a single centre of power and they are often called hegemons.they are often called hegemons.