IR Chapter 1

Core Theory Concepts

• State• “Organized political entity with a permanent

population, a well-defined territory, and a government; in everyday language, often used as synonymous with nation-state”

• Sovereignty• A characteristic of the government of a “state” that

recognizes no higher authority above the government of that state.

Core Theory Concepts

• System (AKA International System)• “a set of interconnected parts that function as

a unitary whole. In world politics, the parts consist primarily of states that interact on a regular basis.”

• Anarchy: absence of a superior authority to make and enforce rules that bind states.

Core Theory Concepts

• Nation:• A group of people who feel a common identity

due to a shared language, culture, and/or history.

• Nation-state:• “A specific geographic area containing a

sovereign polity whose population identifies with that polity” as their highest political identity and loyalty.

Core Theory Concepts

• Nonstate Actors• All groups other than states that are active in the

international system . • They include international organizations of states like

the United Nations, NATO, or the WTO.• They include non-government organizations that

operate in the international environment such as Amnesty International, Doctors without Borders, and the International Red Cross• They also include multinational corporations

Core Theory Concepts

• Levels of Analysis: • International political phenomena can

be assessed from at least three perspectives.

• Individual Level of Analysis• State Level of Analysis• International System Level

Levels of Analysis• Cold War Page 18• Individual?• State• System?

• General peace & Stability VS Great Power War?• Individual• State• System