International Politics & Human Rights: Cooperation, Conflict, and Global Development

Prisoner's Dilemma

Rational states fail to cooperate even when mutual cooperation is beneficial (fear of cheating).

Collective Action Problem

Benefits of cooperation are public goods; incentives to free-ride.

Global Governance vs. Sovereignty

Tension between international rule-making and states' desire for autonomy.

IGOs

Intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, WTO.

INGOs

International non-governmental organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch.

MNCs

Multinational corporations influencing global markets and policy.

TANs

Transnational Advocacy Networks: NGOs, activists, and institutions that pressure states through norms and 'naming and shaming'.

The United Nations

Intergovernmental Organization based on sovereign equality.

General Assembly

One state, one vote (symbolic authority).

Security Council

Real power with 5 permanent members (P5) and veto power.

Views on the UN - Supporters

Forum for cooperation, norm-setting, peacekeeping.

Views on the UN - Critics

Power imbalance, inefficiency, selectivity, weak enforcement.

MDGs

Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015): Poverty, health, education.

SDGs

Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030): Broader focus including inequality, climate, institutions, sustainability.

The European Union

Example of supranationalism.

International Law

Treaties, conventions (often weak enforcement).

Norms

Shared expectations of appropriate behavior.

International Regimes

Rules and institutions governing issue areas (trade, climate, human rights).

ICJ

International Court of Justice: Settles disputes between states (jurisdiction depends on consent).

Human Rights

Universally claimed rights inherent to all humans.

International Human Rights Regime

Treaties, courts, norms, IGOs, INGOs, TANs.

UDHR

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Civil, political, economic, social rights.

Geneva Conventions

Protection of civilians in war.

International Criminal Court

Prosecutes individuals for the gravest crimes.

Human Security Approach

Shifts focus from state security to individual well-being.

Just War Theory

Criteria for ethical use of force.

War Crimes

Crimes Against Humanity / Genocide / Ethnic Cleansing.

Refugees & Asylum

Forced displacement across borders.

Sovereignty vs. Human Rights

Dilemma of state sovereignty versus human rights protection.