power, sovereignty + international relations

power

the ability to effect change or capacity to do something

soft power

ability to influence other actors by persuading them to follow/agree to norms to produce the desired behavior

hard power

ability to influence other actors through the use of threats or rewards

smart power

use of soft power backed by hard power

structural power

ability to shape frameworks within which global actors relate to one another

power as a capability

traditionally known as an attribute or possession but more recently known as potential or latent power

relational power

ability of one actor to influence another actor in a manner not of their choosing

economic power

ability of a country/actor to influence others through economic means (sanctions, incentives)

social power

ability of an actor/country to influence others through cultural means (art, music, literature) or through institutions + cultural diplomacy

individual power

ability of an individual to influence others/achieve goals through actions or resources

collective power

ability of a group of individuals to achieve their goals via collective action + cooperation (protests, labor unions)

unilateralism

one-sidedness; policy determines by the interests + objectives of a single state, unrestrained by other states + bodies

multilateralism

3+ states, actions, negotiations, or agreements in global politics

state

political entity that has a defined territory, permanent population, government and ability to enter relations with other states

nation

group of people who share a common identity (language, culture, religion, history)

nation-state

state in which the majority of the population shares a common national identity

stateless nation

state in which the majority of the population shares a common national identity but do not have a state of their own (e.g. Rohingya, Palestine)

westaphalian idea of state sovereignty

states considered separate/independent entities/autonomous actors in an anarchic environment

sources of state sovereignty

1. possession and use of force: allows a state to maintain control over its territory + population — can defend themselves against external threats/maintain internal order

2. international law + norms: provides a framework for states to interact with + establish rules for behavior — helps to legitimize the state’s authority + actions and a basis for resolving conflict

3. recognition by other states due to economic and balance of power considerations: enhances the state’s legitimacy + standing in the international community — if other states recognize another state’s sovereignty = acknowledging its authority to govern itself and its people

4. consent of the governed: implies that the authority of the state is derived from the will of the people = legitimizes that system or government to exercise state legitimacy + establishes democracy + participation of the people.

challenges to state sovereignty

1. globalization: reduces the ability of states to control/focus on their own economic/political/social affairs. can undermine the state as it is no longer the sole actor on a national level = harder to regulate beyond-border activities + erosion of cultural + national identities

2. supranationality:  a multinational union or association in which member countries cede authority and sovereignty on at least some internal matters to the group (WTO, WHO, IMF)

3. humanitarian intervention: involves the use of international organizations to go into sovereign states — hence states lose the exclusive right to govern their own affairs + control what happens in their borders where human rights are violated

4. indigenous rights: indigenous people claiming rights as their own ‘peoples’ —  they strive for the rights of self-determinism and the right of being recognized as distinct groups of people with their own cultures

unitary state

state governed as a single entity where the central government is the supreme authority = the central government may create administrative divisions. (i.e Romania and Ireland)

federal state

political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states or other regions under a central federal government (i.e United States, Germany, Canada)

confederation state

union of sovereign groups or states united for purposeso f common action

democratic state

governed by representatives who are elected by the people

authoritarian state

government that concentrates political power in an authority not responsible to the people, ruled by a single leader/political party (Saudi Arabian Royal Fam)

militarized state

reflects the level of militarization of state and which is associated with the glorification of the military, armed forces, weapons + military power through symbolic displays and actual use of force (North Korea)

fragile/failed state

where the political or economic system has become so weak that the government is no longer in control (Libya + Iraq = failed state b/c of rebellion)

rising state

state w/ significant rising power + influence in global affairs (i.e Indonesia + India)

competition state

profound state transformation is apparent in a # of policy field w/ both economic + social policies subject to the need for increasing competitiveness (China)

postmodern state

state or condition of society which is said to exist post-modernity, historical condition that marks the end of modernity

the UN (united nations)

• IGO with 193 member states

• was created post-WW2 w/ the intention of saving succeeding generations from scourge of war + to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights

• establish conditions where justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties + other sources of international law can be maintained

• collective measures to maintain stability and achieve international cooperation in solving international conflict

UN charter

sets out the rights and obligations of member states + establishes structure and function of the UN

• Four main purposes

  1. maintain international peace + security

  2. develop friendly relations among nations

  3. promote social progress and better living standards

  4. protect human rights

world trade organization (WTO)

responsible for managing and enforcing rules of international trade — provides a forum for members to negotiate trade agreements + resolve trade problems

international monetary fund (IMF)

trying to achieve sustainable growth + monetary cooperation + reduce poverty/unemployment; support economic policies aiming to promote financial stability + monetary cooperation

european union (EU)

political and economic union of 27 countries in Europe promoting democracy + powerful trade block

african union

replaced organization of african unity and was created in 2002 — goals include promoting peace security + stability on the continent

arab league

aims of the league are to strengthen and coordinate political + cultural + economic + social programs of its members to promote sovereignty and independence of Arab countries (been criticized for internal conflict and collective inaction)

ASEAN

regional organization in South East Asia aiming to bring regional peace and stability - operates on a code of non-interference in internal affairs + has trade system but lacks influence b/c of lack of framework

NGO (non-gov. organization)

private, non-commercial group or body which seeks to achieve its ends via non-violent means. address new approaches to social and economic problems that gov can’t do

red cross/crescent

global humanitarian network that helps those affected by a variety of issues

amnesty international

international NGO focused on human rights - publicize violations by governments and other entities recognized by UDHR

human rights watch

conducts research and advocacy for human rights — known for accurate fact-finding + impartial reporting + effective use of media + targeted advocacy

MNC’s (multinational corporations)

a business that has influence over others on a global scale (Coca Cola, Facebook, Nike, Apple)

trade unions

organized association of workers in trade/group of trades/profession formed to protect and further their rights and interests (i.e. international trade union confederation)

institutional NSA

non-state actors having a clearly defined and recognizable structure, organization, and leadership (NGO’s, banks, MNC’s)

non-institutional NSA

non-state actors lacking a clearly recognized structure, little to no organization or leadership (terrorist organizations, social movements, political movements)

social movements

loosely organization effort by a large group of people to achieve a particular goal, typically social or political one to carry our social change, or to resist or undo one (black lives matter, indigenous land rights)

resistance movements

characterized by opposition to state authority + questioning of state legitimacy

violent protest movements

concern specific issues like taxes, conscription into the military, etc — despite not evolving into major social movements they may have severe and immediate consequences

informal forums

non-permanent annual meetings between states to discuss policy and cooperation — agreements made are non-binding (i.e G7)

global governance

formal and informal processes and institutions that guide and control activities of both state and NSAs in the international system (UNSC, WTO trade agreements)

treaties

formal agreement between 2+ sovereign states; legally binding and can be enforced by international law

collective security

cooperation of several countries in an alliance to strengthen security of each — attack against 1 is an attack against all

strategic alliance

alliance made between 2+ states for the mutual benefit of both

bilateral trade agreements

economic cooperation between two countries to reduce trade barriers + increase trade

multilateral trade agreements

economic cooperation involving multiple countries and reduce trade barriers + increase trade between all countries

informal cooperation

way that actors work together outside of formal institutions and agreements — often used when institutions and agreements are unable to address a specific issue or are ineffective

interstate war

armed conflict between two or more states

intrastate war

intrastate violence that occurs within a single state

terrorism

acts of violence designed to promote a specific ideology or agenda by creating fear among a population (ISIS)