Edexcel A Level Politics, Paper 3 Global Politics

What is sovereignty?

Absolute and unlimited power and authority.

What is a nation?

Self-identifying community that doesn't necessarilyhave sovereignty

Not necessarily recognised by the internationalcommunity

Not necessarily possessing a state

E.g. the Kurds

Defined territory is not needed

Nations can live in more than one state

What is a state?

Political entity with sovereignty

Recognised by the international community

Could contain more than one nation or community

E.g. the U.K.

Defined territory is needed

States cannot cross the boundaries into other states

What is a nation-state?

The nation state is the prime political entity of the modern era

At its most basic a nation state is a nation with its own state, but this can be further developed.

A nation state is:

a state that represents the political wishes of a nation, and thus gains authority and legitimacy

a self-governing state

a state that is based on the principle of self-determination.

Although there are problems with both the identification of nations and the recognition of states, the nation state isnow the dominant model.

The UN recognises 193 states in the world, which are best described as nation states.

Name 5 factors that drive globalisation

People

Countries

Culture

Technology

Institutions

Economics

Politics

Name three impacts of globalisation on the state system

Widening and deepening interconnectedness and interdependence

challenge to state control over citizens

The development of international law

humanitarian intervention

What do hyperglobalisers believe?

Hyperglobalisers see the inevitability of globalisation as a consequence of advances in technology, and feel that humankind is entering a new age.

There is no going back from growing globalisation; the world can only become more interconnected and interdependent.

The borderless world will become a reality as states become irrelevant.

Theorists differ on whether hyperglobalisation will be a good or a bad thing.

What do globalisation sceptics believe?

Sceptics see much of globalisation as a myth and argue that the so-called integrated global economy does not exist.

In reality, regional, national and local economies are more significant.

Sceptics also argue that international trade and capital flows are not new phenomena.

What do transformationalists believe?

Transformationalists tread a middle path between hyperglobalisers and sceptics.

Yes, significant changes have occurred due to globalisation but they have not fundamentally changed the basic international system.

National governments are changing, perhaps becoming less important.

Interconnectedness has increased in terms of breadth, intensity and speed.

What do realists believe?

Realists are essentially sceptics.

They believe that the state is still the main actor in the global system, and that globalisation has been made by states for states.

Globalisation can make the world a more unstable place due to increasing competition and conflict.

What do liberals believe?

Liberals have a positive view of globalisation and its ability to bring trade, prosperity, peace, democracy, political freedoms andhuman rights.

It is a win‑win.

Liberals are also glad to see a decline in nation states and an increase in international co‑operation.

What are the main 6 UN bodies?

The General Assembly

The Security Council

The Economic and Social Council

The International Court of Justice (|CJ)

The Secretariat

The Trusteeship Council

Name two strengths of the UN

The UN is a unique global organisation, as every state in the world is a member.

The UN is often reduced in the public mind to the Security Council, but this ignores the many elements thatenable states, corporations and people to interact on a daily basis.

The existence of the UN shows the interconnectedness and interdependencies of the modern world.

One great strength of the UN is that it represents the states of the world as equals, irrespective of their power,size, wealth, dominant religion, culture or system of government.

Name two weaknesses of the UN

193 sovereign states with competing national interests and outlooks will sometimes disagree.

The UN does not take sovereignty away from states, so there is no compulsion.

Critics highlight a range of weaknesses: it is too weak or too strong; it does not do enough or it does too much;it is undemocratic or it gives unsavoury governments an equal platform with the most liberal; it gives smallcountries too much say or it is dominated by powerful countries.

The UN is also notoriously difficult to reform, and has been slow to react to humanitarian disasters.

When was NATO formed?

1949

What is NATO's Article 5?

signatories agree that an attack on one of them would be considered an attack on all of them, and that they should consider armed force in response.

Name two strengths of NATO

Countries bound by values of freedom, democracy, humanrights and market economies.

Achieved its purpose of deterring Russian aggression againstmember states.

Developed with the times and found new roles to serve theinterests of members.

Spends around 70% of the world's total military expenditure.

Proven capabilities in military action.

Technologically advanced military alliance.

Name two weaknesses of NATO

Questionable whether states would actually come to the aid of an attacked state.

All states have different national interests.

Not all EU member states are members of NATO.

Requires unanimity for decisions to be made.

Over-reliant on the military power of the US.

Dominate by the US.

Not all countries spend the guideline 2% of GDP on themilitary.

What does the IMF do?

foster global monetary co-operation

secure financial stability

facilitate international trade

promote high employment and sustainable economic growth

reduce poverty around the world

Name two strengths of the IMF

It seems to be effective. It was created to promote global economic stability, and was arguably successful in doing so, especially over the immediate post-war period.

it will lend to countries that can find no other source of finance. As such it acts as a bulwark against economic disasters that may spill over and affect other economies in the world.

it has adapted to the changing international context.

What does the World Bank do?

The World Bank's purpose is essentially redistributive: to reduce global poverty.

The World Bank is also a source of expertise on economic and social development.

Name two strengths of the World Bank

Redistributive role is relatively successful

Willing to adapt

Name two weaknesses of the World Bank

The US has too much influence

it encourages poor countries to produce cash crops like cocoa and coffee, making them dependent on exports

Good governance isn't a requirement on its loans

Encourages unsustainable development

Spends too little on development

What is the World Systems Theory?

It is an approach to world history and social

change that suggests there is a world economic

system that has developed as a result of the

expansion of capitalism since the 17th century, in

which some countries benefit while others are

exploited.

Division of the world into core, semi-peripheral

and peripheral areas.

What is Dependency Theory?

Dependency theory starts from the notion that resources flow from the 'periphery'

of poor and underdeveloped states to a 'core' of wealthy countries, which leads to

the accumulation of wealth by the rich states at the expense of the poor states.

What is classical economic development theory?

It is closely linked to liberal international-relations theory.

It claims that poverty is a lack of income or resources, which can be measured by comparing countries' GDP per capita (wealth per head).

Economic development can be stimulated by Adam Smith's 'invisible hand' of the market, ensuring that all will ultimately benefit.

Countries should free markets, privatise state-owned industries and focus their economies on producing products in which they have a comparative advantage.

What is structural development theory?

It argues that poverty is the product of global

inequality perpetuated by transnational

corporations (TNCs) and the conditions

attached to development aid by donor

countries and organisations.

In order to end structural inequality in the

international system poorer states should

intervene substantially in the domestic

economy to promote industrialisation and

reduce the reliance on the export of primary

goods, such as agricultural and mining

products.

Developing states also should impose

restrictive trade policies to protect domestic

industries from external competition and

promote trade with other developing

countries.

What is neo-classical development theory?

Became influential towards the end of the 1970s, inspired by the economic policies of Margaret Thatcher in the UK and Ronald Reagan in the USA.

At the same time, the World Bank shifted from its Basic Needs approach to a neo-liberal approach in 1980.

Neo‑classical development theory essentially is classical economic development theory.

This approach inspired the Structural Adjustment Programmes imposed on recipients of loans in the 1980s.

Why are Structural Adjustment Programmes controversial? (World Bank)

criticised for attaching conditions to loans to poorer

countries - such as privatising state-owned industries, cutting public spending, encouraging foreign investment and the production of goods for export - which leaves these countries vulnerable to the dictates of transnational corporations (TNCs) and reduces the living standards of

citizens.

Not all economists agreed that western neo-liberal economic policy was appropriate to the developing world.

There was no empirical evidence that such an approach would work.

Economic development in many western states had been fostered by state intervention and protectionism.

Integrating weaker, less developed economies into the international economic system risked exposing these countries to the full brunt of

competition.

What does the WTO do?

created as a permanent organisation with a wider focus.

It settles trade disputes between member states and enforces international trade rules,

making it the primary instrument of international trade law.

Name one weakness of the WTO

It is too powerful: It can compel sovereign states to change laws and regulations by declaring them to

be in violation of free-trade rules.

Decision making is dominated by the US and EU

Lacks external accountability

What is the G7(8)?

an informal bloc of industrialised democracies that meets

annually to discuss issues such as global economic governance,

international security, and energy policy.

the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The European Union also attends meetings.

What is the G20?

The purpose of the organisation is to promote international

financial stability and replace the G7 as the main economic

forum of wealthy nations.

The G20 is more diverse than the G7, with a membership

including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the USA from the American continent, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea from Asia, Saudi Arabia from the Middle East, South Africa and Australia - the sole representatives from Africa and Oceania - and France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and the UK from Europe.

The twentieth member is the EU.

What does the ICJ do?

Adjudicates on disputes between member states of the United Nations.

Makes judgements on issues brought to it by UN organisations and specialist agencies.

What does the ICC do?

Not part of the UN family of organisations.

Responsible for investigating and putting on trial individuals who have been accused of some of the most

horrific and heinous crimes in the world - genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A permanent court that replaces the ad hoc tribunals that have often been used to bring prosecutions against

suspected war criminals and despots

What does the ECHR do?

aims to promote human rights, democracy and the rule

of law in Europe.

a court of last resort: individuals or groups who feel that their rights have been breached by a signatory state may appeal to the court to have their case heard if all other legal avenues have been exhausted.

What does the UNFCCC do?

a mechanism for developing global environmental policy 20th century.

What does the IPCC do?

Provides impartial information about climate change to decision makers.

Publishes Assessment reports on the scientific basis of climate change, adaptation and mitigation methods.

What do Shallow Green ecologists believe?

Sustainable development is possible - humans can innovate their way to reducing the impacts of climate change with minor changes to the system.

What do Deep Green ecologists believe?

Human interests should not take priority over nature and plants. Climate change cannot be combatted under capitalism due to its exploitative nature, radical change is needed.

What is sustainable development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Give two examples of international treaties where environmental protections have been agreed.

The 1959 Antartic Treaty

Montreal Protocol 1987

What is hard power?

the use of military and economic means to influence the behaviour or interests of other political bodies

What is soft power?

exerted through diplomatic relations and the sharing of cultural values

What is smart power?

A combination of soft and hard power

What is a superpower?

A state with a dominant position in international relations, pre-eminent among great powers, and characterised by its unparalleled ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale.

What is a great power?

a state that is recognised as having the ability and expertise to exert its influence on a global scale

What is an emerging power?

A state that is considered to be rising, primarily in economic power and influence

What is polarity?

The nature of the international system at any given time in terms of how pwer is distributed

What is unipolarity?

International system where there is one dominant pole

What is bipolarity?

International system where there are two dominant poles

What is multipolarity?

International system revolving around three or more poles

Give an example of why you can argue that we currently have a multipolar system.

Brics account for more than 50% of the world's population, and about 75% of global GDP, and 80% of defence spending.

China, Brazil, India, Russia

What are the four requirements for elections in a true democracy?

Free and fair elections

Elections free from intimidation (secret ballot)

Each person's vote counts the same

Choice of electoral candidates who represent a range of interests and ideas in society.

What are semi-democratic states?

States that have many of the characteristics associated with democracy, but somethings might be missing:

E.g. There might be elections and representation, but elections may not be free and fair, and representation may be skewed to allow one party to dominate the representative assembly.

E.g. 2. There might be freedom of speech and pressure groups, but the main media outlets may be state-controlled and political protest may suppressed.

What is a non-democratic state?

States where there is an absence of the characteristics of democracy: free and fair elections, choice of candidates etc.

What is an autocratic state?

A state that is ruled by a single person with unlimited power.

What are the Fund for Peace's criteria for a failed state?

Loss of territoriy, or loss on the monolopoly of use of legitimate force within its borders.

The government has lost legitimacy, and lacks the authority to make collective decisions

The inability to provide basic services to citizens (health care, education, supply of basic services like electricity and water).

The inability to interact with other states as full member of the international community

What is a rogue state?

A state that is considered to be a pariah by the rest of the international community.

Name three forms of regionalism

Economic regionalism

Security regionalism

Political regionalism

Name two criticisms of regionalism

Critics of globalisation see regionalism as enhancing and further globalisation.

Democracy is at risk of being undermined by supranational or intergovernmental bodies that make binding decisions beyond the reach of the people. (lack of accountability).

Benefits big corporations (TNCs) rather than ordinary people

Name two positives of regionalism.

A way of controlling and limiting the impact of globalisation.

Allows states to control and shape the world they exist in

States come together to limit the power of TNCs - Can ensure that states don't undercut each other, giving TNCs no benefit from shopping around to find the best deal.

When was NAFTA founded, who were its main members and what was its aim?

1992 - US, Canada, Mexico;

To improve trade and prosperity for signatory states

When was the AU founded, how many members did it have originally and what was its aim?

1999. 54 members.

Aimed to rid the continent of colonisation and aparthied, promote unity and solidarity among african states, coordinate cooperation for development, safeguard the sovereignty of member states and promote international cooperation within the framework of the UN.

When was the Arab League founded, who were the original members and what is its aim?

1945.

Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria.

Encourage cooperation and the pursuit of common interests among Arab-speaking states in Africa and the middle east.

When was ASEAN founded, who were its original members and what was its aim?

1967.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.

Aimed to encourage economic, social, cultural, technological and educational development, promote peace and stability in the region and to ensure adherence to the principles of the UN charter and rule of law.

Name three aims of the EU

Promote peace

Economic integration (Single Market)

Economic and monetary union (Eurozone)

Enlargement

Social policy

Political union

What does the European Commission do?

Proposes laws and the EU budget.

Oversees EU law implementation

Guardian of Treaties

What does the European Council do?

Makes key political decisions

Sets the political agenda

(Heads of government of member states)

What does the Council of the European Union do?

Passes, amends and rejects legislation

(member states)

European Parliament

Passes, amends and rejects legislation.

Approves the Commission

(MEPs)

What does the Court of Justice of the European Union do?

Interprets EU law

Give two examples of key EU treaties and agreements

Rome 1957 - set up the EEC

Single European Act 1986 - made provisions for the single market

Treaty on the European Union (Maastricht), 1992 - transformed the EEC into the EU

Amsterdam 1997 - Strengthened foreign policy cooperation

Nice 2000 - further preparations for eastern enlargement

Lisbon 2007 - more powers for the Commission and Parliament, further integration.

Give three key ideas from Realism

Selfish human nature leads to selfish states

states are unitary actors

states are rational

states are amoral

states seek power

international anarchy

the inevitability of war

security dilemma

Give three main ideas from liberalism

the significance of morality and optimism on human nature

possibility of harmony and balance

complex interdependence

likelihood of global governance

growth of international organisations