International Relations

Introduction to International Relations

International Relations: how countries relate to one another, how they work together, and how they conflict.

A state or country is an independent, defined territory with a government, a population, and sovereignty over these.

State sovereignty gives nations the right to carry out laws and policies within its borders without interference from other states

There are 194 sovereign states in the world today

What’s another word forstate?

State and country meanexactly the same thing.

What’s a nation?

• A group of people with a distinct identity.

• What do these people share in common?

race ethnicityhistory culturelanguage religion

What’s the difference between interstate and intrastate?

Interstate (or international) “Between states”

Intrastate “Within a state”

Defining National Interest

“Underlying the behavior of nations is the concept of national interest”

What question does this statement answer?

Why do nations behave the way they do?

What are National Interests?

What is best for a particular country

Anything that is good for or beneficial to a country.

National Interests =Foreign Policy Goals

The goals viewed as being beneficial to a country…

… and that determine that country’s behavior.

A Country’s National Interests / Goals

A Country’s Behavior

(It’s Foreign Policy)

Key Ideas About National Interest

• A country’s national interests change over time.

• Each country’s interests are unique, but all countries share these broad goals:

State sovereigntyTerritorial integrityMilitary securityEconomic well-being

Citizens often disagree on what their country’s national interests are.

National interests are ultimately defined by a country’s leaders.

A country’s national interests will determine its foreign policy.

A Nation’s interest…

Combines Security, Economic and Ideological concerns of a country

Must meet basic needs so it can survive and improve it’s citizens’ living standards

Examples of a nation’s basic needs…1. Survival concerns: Mali and Bangladesh

2. Development of Natural Resources to trade: Niger and Malaysia

The Motivator of Security Interests Physical survival is a

universally shared concern. We build armies, create alliances

Sense of national security is based on perceived threats from other nations.

1. Israel: few allies/strong military2. Switzerland: few enemies/no large army

Motivator of Economic Interests Countries seek to promote

economic welfare Countries vary in economic

interests• Depends on availability of resources

• Depends on development of resources

Developing Countries… Need to obtain basics first (food, water, shelter,

health care) Lack agricultural methods and industrial

developments to provide these• Cash crops/ raw materials are often traded for

food• Attract foreign investment and tourism to

supplement national income• Example: Sub-Saharan Africa

Industrialized Nations... Turn out a variety of products including

processed food, machinery, autos, computers, clothing etc.

Production often exceeds actual needs• Excess of manufactured goods is exported in

exchange from raw materials, products or money

• Economic growth is dependent upon ability to buy or sell products abroad.

• Economic interests are determined by wants and needs of citizens, types of products to sell, and development of the economies

Motivator of Ideological Interests Ideology is a combination of beliefs, values,

culture, religion, and historical experiences of a nation’s people• Plays a unique role in National Interest• Countries are interested in protecting a way of

life and trying to promote that abroada) Example of US: promoting democracy

in dictatorial nationsb) Example of Iran: promotes religion of

Shiite Islam.

Interdependence of National Interest Concerns do not exist independently

(economic interests affect security and ideological interests)• Example: If people do not have enough to eat, the stability and therefore the security of government may be threatened

• Example: Some nations believe that the security of their nation depends on the adherence to a certain ideology and will go to war to defend it

“Ranking America’s National Interests”

Please complete the above titled survey

You will then work collaboratively to narrow your top three interests.

Developing Foreign Policy

“In every nation, leaders develop a foreign policy --or a course of action--to pursue the national interests of their countries.”

“A course of action developed by a country’s leaders to pursue the national interests of that nation.”

“The actions taken by a government in pursuit of a country’s global interests and goals.”

What is Foreign Policy?

National Interests(Goals)

Foreign Policy(Actions taken in pursuit of goals)

The Concept of Power in IR• What is Power?

Power refers to a nation’s ability to influence the actions of other nations.

• Why is Power Important?

Powerful nations are more likely to reach their foreign policy goals than less powerful countries.

1. Economic Power •The possession of products or

resources that other nations want to buy.

•The wealth to buy what other nations want to sell.

What makes a country powerful?

2. Military Power

• Having a strong enough military to deter (prevent) attack.

• Having the ability to project military power overseas.

3. Geography

Geopolitics: The influence of geography on politics – especially on foreign policy.

Its size Its location Its borders and terrain Its control of critical resources Its need for critical resources Its access to water Its neighbors (its proximity to

allies and enemies) Its strategic interests around

the globe

Geopolitical Factors: aspects of geography that influence a nation’s foreign policy.

Geopolitics involves the competition between states for :

• The control of strategically important territory.

• Access to resources.• Influence throughout theworld.

Thinking Geopolitically

To think geopolitically, what questions should be asked before using military force against the country outlined in yellow on this map?

With your group come up with 2 questions.

Thinking Geopolitically…

What part of the world is this? Is this a strategically important part of the world?

How far is this country from the U.S.? What is the value of this country/area

in terms of natural resources, trade, bases, etc. to the U.S.?

What are the natural barriers to invasion, such as seas or mountain ranges?

Are the surrounding countries friends or enemies of this country? Would they support our invasion?

Are the surrounding countries friends or enemies of the U.S.?

What is the make-up of this country’s population? Will the people there welcome or hate us?

4. The Acquisition of Modern Technology• May overcome other

disadvantages.

• Allows small countries to compete economically and militarily.

5. Strong National Resolve• Shared strong beliefs about the nation’s national

interests and strong determination to achieve them.

• Can overcome other disadvantages.

The Distribution of Power in the World

Balance of Power:

• A concept used in analyzing the distribution of power in the world.

• When there is a balance of power, states enjoy relatively equal power and no one state is able to dominate.

Balance of Power Theory in Politics

The idea that states will adopt policies or form alliances designed to keep any one state or group of states from becoming too powerful.

Ways That Power Can Be Distributed in the World

A Unipolar System:

An international system dominated by one powerful nation.

Describes the world today in which the U.S. is the sole superpower.

A Bipolar System:

An international system dominated by two powerful nations.

Describes the Cold War system when there were two superpowers.

A Multipolar System:

An international system where power is evenly distributed between four or more nations.

No nation is dominant.

The Multipolar World of Tomorrow?

Unit 1 Day 4 (Fri. 4/16) “Hobbled Hegemon” review on pg. 36 Straw Structure Challenge on pg. 18

• Discussion & Debriefing

Straw Structure Challenge

Related Vocabulary:Hegemony

The influence or domination of a powerful nation over other, weaker nations within its sphere of influence.

Sphere of InfluenceAn area of the world in which a powerful nation (a hegemon) exerts cultural, economic, military or political domination over other, less powerful, nations.

Imperialism: A policy of extending a country’s power

through the acquisition of additional territory or through the direct control over other nations.

Empire: Extensive territory or peoples under the direct control of a single, powerful state.

Imperial power:.A state that controls an empire

“Carrot – and – stick”Etymology: From the traditional alternatives of driving a donkey on by either holding out a carrot or whipping it with a stick.

Carrot–and–stick foreign policy:

 “Characterized by the use of both

reward and punishment to induce cooperation”

“Tools” of Foreign PolicyWhat are they?The specific actions taken by a state in pursuit of its national interests.

Three groups:• Political tools• Economic tools• Tools associated with use of military force

Key Tools of Foreign Policy

Political Tools:

Diplomacy: • Conducting relations between nations through negotiations and dialogue.

• “ Tool of first resort” used by nations to peacefully resolve differences.

• Carried out by diplomats.

America’s Top Diplomats

The “Chief Diplomat” ?

Cabinet member responsible for day to day diplomacy?

Secretary of State heads State Department• Advises President on foreign policy.• Negotiates agreements with foreign countries.• Represents the U.S. abroad and in international

organizations.

Diplomacy may involve summits between heads of state. (Face to face talks)

Bilateral summit with Russian President Medvedev

Multilateral G20 economic summit

Diplomatic Relations:The formal contact established between two governments that normalize relations.

• Diplomatic recognition is extended to each other’s governments.

• Ambassadors are exchanged.

• Embassies are opened in respective capitals.

Countries Without Diplomatic Relations with the United States:

Bhutan

Cuba

Iran

North Korea

Countries We Don’t Have Diplomatic Relations With

Cuba

Iran

Bhutan

North Korea

Diplomacy may result in the signing of treaties.

• Formal, written agreements between states (Bilateral or Multilateral)

Peace Treaty Commercial Treaty Arms Control Treaty

Diplomacy may result in the formation of alliances.

• Formal agreements between states to defend each other in the case of attack.

• Based on idea of collective security – the idea that peace and security is best achieved by states acting together to confront aggression.

Our most important alliance?

NATO

NATO meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NATO (The Atlantic Alliance)

Democracies in North America

Atlantic Ocean

NATO’s Expansion: 28 Members Today

Diplomatic Sanctions

• Sanctions are actions meant to punish the targeted state for bad behavior.

• Examples: Withholding recognition. Recalling one’s own diplomats. Expelling another country’s diplomats. Breaking off diplomatic relations.

Engagement

A policy of dealing with another country through direct talks and negotiations in an attempt to improve relations.

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left) and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan (above)

Detente A relaxation of tensions

or a decrease in the level of hostility between states.

Nixon meets then-Soviet premier Leonid Brezhnev on the eve of the 1974 Moscow summit, and both leaders are depicted with a handful of missiles behind their backs.

Rapprochement Means “to approach” or

come together with the intent of establishing or reestablishing friendly relations.

Describes a reconciliation between nations that have had poor relations.

Appeasement The policy of granting concessions to

potential enemies to maintain peace• In May 2008, President Bush cautioned

against "the false comfort of appeasement" when dealing with Iran and its President, Ahmadinejad

Neutrality Act of not taking sides

• “To avoid making a dicey situation worse, Obama’s guiding principle must be to make sure that America is not identified with any one Pakistani politician or party.”-OP-Ed, Boston Globe, January 4, 2010

Propaganda One-sided or exaggerated

information used by a nation to gain support for its policies.

Tehran, Iran, January 2010

Normalization of Relations• The establishment or reestablishment

of full diplomatic relations between nations.

Economic Tools

Economic rewards:• Foreign Aid: Assistance given from one

country to another in the form of: Economic Aid Military Aid

Trade agreements • The lifting (removal) of sanctions

Economic Punishments are designed to force a state to change their policies:

•Sanctions Boycotts (we don’t buy)Embargoes (no commerce, no trade)

• Trade (import) restrictions: Tariffs Quotas

Economic Sanctions Are Controversial Critics say...

• They are rarely effective

• They can backfire by isolating sanctioned countries and causing their leaders to become even more repressive

• They cruelly and unfairly punish civilians

• They hurt U.S. businesses by cutting the markets in which they can sell their products

Unit 1 Test “Need to knows”

Your homework articles & questions Vocabulary from your Unit 1 glossary Fill-in the blank notes Use your course review guide (pg.

12) and Unit 1 glossary (pg. 16) in your syllabus packet as a more formal guide for studying

Tools Related to Military Force

Usually used as a last resort in resolving disputes.

Carries high costs and serious risks.

Part of a policy of coercion (means to force, compel, or threaten a state to do what it would not otherwise do).

Military force … many options…

Show of strength: strategic positioning of military forces around the world

Naval Blockade

Covert Operations Would include…

•Clandestine activities

•Subversive activities: planning to overthrow an established government

•Espionage

Troop mobilization

Air strikes / Bombing

Limited Use of Troops

Invasion

Declared War

FDR declares war on the Japanese

Limited vs. Total WarsLimited wars:• Fought for limited objectives and with limited types of weapons.

• Usually end with negotiated agreement.

Total wars:• Fought without limitations on the objectives, targets, or weapons used.

• Goal is usually the defeat and the unconditional surrender of an enemy.

Foreign Policy Decisions

Should We Be Actively Involved in World Affairs? ISOLATIONISM INTERNATIONALISM

• A policy of withdraw and non-involvement in world affairs.

• Means avoiding alliances with other states and following a policy of strict neutrality .

A policy of active involvement in world affairs.

ISOLATIONISM

U.S. isolationism was primarily directed against Europe.

Meant the U.S. tried to stay out of Europe’s politics and wars.

APPEASEMENT

Taken to the extreme, a policy of trying to avoid war may result in appeasement

-- a policy of buying off an aggressor by giving in to its demands.

Should We Use Military Force To Protect Our Interests Overseas?

INTERVENTIONISM NON-INTERVENTIONISM

• A policy of using military force, or the threat of force, to interfere in another nation’s internal affairs.

• U.S. interventionism has often resulted in sending American troops into other countries to protect U.S. interests.

• “Hawks” are those who support the use of military force overseas.

A policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations.

Should We Act Alone or Together with Other Nations?

UNILATERALISM MULTILATERALISM A policy of acting

alone –without consulting allies

Supporters believe that the U.S. should exercise its power without the limitations imposed by allies and international agreements (NATO, UN)

• A policy of acting together with other nations.

• Argues U.S. should work with other nations to solve global problems.

• Argues the use of military force is only legitimate if the international community supports it.

Should American Foreign Policy be Determined by Universal Values or by Our

National Interests?IDEALISM

REALISM (“REALPOLITIK”)

• Argues that a country’s foreign policy should reflect and promote moral values and ideals:

Freedom and liberty Democracy Respect for human rights

Argues that a country’s foreign policy should promote its own national interests.

German for the “politics” of reality”

Notable Idealists

On the Left On the Right

Carter Reagan and Bush

Notable Realists

Pragmatists – Stress doing what is practical and possible. Guided by facts rather than ideology.

On the LeftOn the Right

The Other One

Nixon (and don’t forget Kissinger!)

IDEALISM REALISM

Based on doing what’s right and what’s best for the world at large.

Sees the world as it should be or could be and driven by a desire to change or “save” the world.

Pragmatic policy of doing whatever is necessary and best for one’s own country.

Accepts and deals with the world as it really is.

IDEALISM REALISM• Argues that our

relations with other countries should be based on shared values.

Opposes dealing with governments that don’t share our values

No alliances with dictators

• Argues that U.S. relations with other countries should be based on shared interests.

Must deal with all governments– even those we dislike.

Must sometimes ally with dictators that share our goals.

IDEALISM REALISM

• Envisions a global system based on:

International agreements

Multilateral cooperation between states.

(Liberal idealism)

Favors a global system based on state power.

States must acquire and use power to defend their interests and to ensure order and stability in the world.

Strives for a balance of power between the most powerful states.

IDEALISM REALISM• Based on the

optimistic belief that states can learn to live and work together in peace and harmony.

• Based on the more pessimistic belief that states always act in their own interest.

• “World peace” impossible because states will always have opposing interests that lead to competition and conflict.

IDEALISM REALISM

Argues for humanitarian interventions to make the world a better place

Cautious about using military force and only supports using it when vital U.S. interests are at stake.

IDEALISM REALISM•Liberal idealists support interventions to stop human suffering and protect human rights.

•Conservative idealists (neoconservatives) support interventions to expand freedom and spread democracy around the globe.

• Realists believe that what other countries do to their own people shouldn’t be our concern.

• Realists believe that another country’s government is not our business.

• Stability is more important than either democracy or human rights.