IB GLOBAL POLITICS UNIT 1 POWER

what is power?

the ability to influence other groups in politics to achieve favourable outcomes

hard power

achieving aims through coercion or force often involving military or economic means.

hard power and the EU and UK vs Russia

banned seaborne imports of crude oil as it was funding and enabling the invasion of ukraine

soft power

achieving aims through persuasion or influence often involving cultural or diplomatic means.

example of soft power-diplomatic negotiations

are efforts to resolve conflicts or reach agreements through discussion and compromise, often enhancing a country's image and relationships globally. diplomatic negotiations between P5+1 and iran on nuclear weapons

con of soft power

consistency and patience is key and needed

pro of soft power

can lead to long-term relationships and influence without the use of force, promoting stability and cooperation.

military power

essential for hard power, ultimate means to force used to achieve national objectives through coercion or threat.

measurement of military power

number of soldiers, money spent on self de- fense, GDP spent

what kind of states spend a high amount of GDP on self defense:

unstable states that face external threats or internal conflicts, often prioritizing security over other social needs.

why is military power not useful?

rise of globalization, soft power, new tech, IGO's, newer means of conflict resolutions

military power and soft power

used for humanitarian objectives

military power can =

economic power

how can some states use economic power as hard power:

sanctions( trade restrictions or penalties imposed on countries to influence their behavior. )

ways to measure economic power

gdp, Economic growth

structural power

states push political ideologies and framework

example of structural power

Cold War

relational power

use of relationships to influence or change behaviour

3 types of relational power:

threats and rewards, controlling the agenda, and establishing preferences

threats and rewards=

encouragement

controlling the agenda=

limitation of voice

establishing performances

getting them to want the same goals

social and cultural power

globalization has made it possible to export resources, connection of diverse populations around the world at a human level

cyber power

empowering groups at a state and individual level

Wikileaks

leaked a large volume of US government information

resources to measure power:

size of armies, economies, populations

behavioural outcomes to measure power-

the effect states have when using its power

distribution of power to measure power

looking at world politics as a whole, indicating stability and imbalances

realist

world in chaotic countries must always fight for power to stay safe, countries act in their own interest

liberals

countries can achieve more by working together, economic and cultural power are as important as military

rising powers include-

Brazil, India, china

how is USA a superpower in decline?

financial crisis

who are increasing in power?

terrorist and non state groups

what is sovereignty ?

a states ability to govern itself

what do sovereign states have a lot of?

authority and control of what happens inside the borders

internal sovereignty

states governing themselves independently and having full control of their borders

external sovereignty

how states interact externally with other states and IGO’s

how does state sovereignty relate to legitimacy?

weather other states recognise the state as a ‘state’

why may Palestine not be sovereign?

claims to be a state but IGOs doesn't claim it to be one thus it cannot be one

what should sovereign states have?

permanent population, defined territories and borders, effective government

who agrees on the legitimacy of state borders?

United Nations

referendum

when people vote to decide on a particular subject rather then voting for an individual or political party

why might state sovereignty erode?

due to increased globalisation(increased interdependence and interconnectedness of the world)

realists on sovereignty being eroded:

sovereignty is the most important actor in global politics

liberals of sovereignty being eroded:

states cooperate and security is maximised more rather then defence

what would realists say about sovereignty?

it should be defended at an absolute and is a major principle and breaching should only occur if national state requires it

example of breaching sovereignty -usa

reluctant to intervene in Rwanda genocide but intervened in Iran due to threat of national security

what would liberals say about sovereignty

it is important but not exclusive

most common form of government:

is a democracy( a system of government in which power is held by elected representatives who are freely voted for by the people)

interdependence

when groups in global politics rely on each other, having shared interest and impacts on eachother

what is economic interdependence ?

states trade with each other and the success and failures depend on each other

political interdependence

states political decisions have an impact on other states (Usa)

intergovernmental organisations

as the world becomes more globalised states have become more interdependent so there are more intergovernmental organisations

reasons for joining IGOs

-powerful states can join IGOs to persuade, - weak states can group and they get control -resolve issues, protection of power

how many members does the UN have

193

Objectives of the UN

• promote global peace and security

• protecting human rights

• advancing development

• tackling climate change

what do economic IGOs do?

they spread economic development, help states in financial difficulty, and advise states on how to develop

main economic IGOs

world trade organisations, International Monetary Fund and world bank

what is collective security of IGOs?

joining to improve and protect

NATO

made post Cold War as a security alliance

hybrid IGO

have many functions

EU

complex regional hybrid, uniting enemies, encouraging integration through laws and currencies

what do liberals think about global governance?

key priority allowing states to solve issues

what do realists think about global governance?

national interests should be prioritised, sometimes IGOS can help

what is strategic alliance?

states choosing profitable and strategic allies to achieve goals and protect national interests

legitimacy

group or actions that are seen to be acceptable usually by conforming to laws or democratic principles

what does sovereignty relate to?

recognition

authority does =

legitimacy

what makes a government legitimate?

of a government is following a constitution and will of people

how is a democracy legitimate ?

electoral process and constitution, is legitimate as people follow rules of constitution

executive

produces policy ideas and implements them

legislature

votes on weather they should become laws

judiciary

ensures law is proposed and upheld

legitimate NGOS

well funded and prevalent, do things for benefit of people making them legitimate

MNC

given friendly tax making them legitimate

how can extremist groups be legitimate ?

gain legitimacy from people

legitimacy of actions

UN Security Council