SEM 1 EXAM

global interconnectedness impact on state to wield power

complex web of aspects of trade, technology and transport

• highly diffused power; decline in states dominance as compared to other types of actors

• global interconnectedness has brung more changes in technology than a states own capacity has

• economic interconnectedness —> less likely war; more to lose from disruptions to military actions > gain from military actions

  • impacts extent to which a state is involved in trade relationships = more self reliant

specific example of global interconnectedness impacting a state

following soviet union collapse, russia has been subjected to escalating sanctions and divestment as political response to military interventions in neighbouring countries

• since 2010 - increased reliance on trade relationships with non-western states (china and india)

power

capacity of an actor to exert influence on outcomes within a system and control other actors

legitimacy

perception that an act, actor, group or institution is justified in their exercise of power

• transforming power into authority

authority

degree to which the uses of power by particular actors is considered rightful or legitimate

participation

broad range of activities through which people might develop and express their opinions and preferences regarding social, political, economic or organisational matters

popular sovereignty

power of the people expressed through an electorate

parliamentary sovereignty

the idea that the parliament has the right to make, amend or repel any law

• public elections

federalism

system of government where power is divided between a central national government and more geographically dispersed subnational governments that administer smaller regional or local jurisdictions

responsible government

expectation that executive governments must be answerable to parliaments, and that their decisions and actions must be exposed to public scrutiny

separation of powers

distribution of power to govern three branches of government

• each independent + ability to block other

  • guards against any one branch becoming too powerful

political interests

desires, motivations and goals that both shape and rive the behaviour of political actors

political perspectives

ways in which political actors see and understand their interests

• influenced by ideas, values, experiences and contexual factors

political significance

importance, impact or relevance of a political event, action, decision or actor within the context of a particular society, government or political system

political stability

systems ability to maintain things as they are, where decisions and changes do not substantially affect the current distribution of power among actors

political change

extent to which political outcomes differ over time, includes the result of actions of political actors

• lack of change indicates political stability

legislative power

parliament; power to debate, create and amend laws

• house of reps and state

judicial power

power to interpret and make judgements regarding application of laws

• high court, state + territory level courts

executive powers

government; implement and enforce laws

• federal cabinet

democratic processes

legitimacy is derived from support and consent of a majority of the population - consent of governed expressed through elections

lower house - house of reps

upper house - senate

ideology

interrelated sets of values and beliefs around how things are and how they should be

• influences legitimacy as they story promoted by an actor is what is judged by public; accepted or rejected

coercion in legitimacy

practice of persuasion using threat or force

• authoritatrian perspectives on state matters - using strong central power to enforce status quo

economic perfromance in legitimacy

if being seen to create conditions that lead to economic prosperity = growing support and strengthened elgitimacy

state government as a political actor in australia

formed by largest party of coalition of parties in the lower hosue of states parliament

• treaty negotiations in victoria; establishment of first peoples’ assembly of victoria; empowered to negotiate a treaty with victoria covering a wide range of issues

commonwealth government as a political actor in australia

persppectives and interests of australian government are linked to those of prime minister as an individual leader

• australia and aukus submarine deal; source eight nuclear submarines from us

parliaments and leaders as a political actor in australia

many actors who have contradictory interests and perspectives, also can have many roles

• Dan andrews; premier of vic + leader of labor party

authority and office as a source and form of power

the development of the state can be seen progressing through reliance on 3 types of legitimate authority

• traditional

• charimastic

• legal-rational

leadership qualities as a source and form of power

interpret - comprehend and understand complex situations, different perspecteives, develop strategies to pursue goals

coordinate - organise and align with other actors in ways that advance goals more effectively

persuade - guide and realign perspectives of others; reasoning, appealing, revealing

dominate - willingness and ability to use authority or other leverage to assert control or force particular outcome

global interconnectedness

intricate web of interactions and interdependencies that link countries, societies and individuals across the world

sovereignty

treaty of westaphalia 1648

• principle of sovereignty

  • supreme authority within a state

  • territorially bounded

  • non intervention

stated power arising from possession of soveriengty

enables national governments to have supreme authority over internal matters within defined territory

• insurance policy

states role of representing its citizens abroad

memberships in IGGs and regional groupings, signing and ratifying international laws etc

• engage in foreign policy or pursue national interests through domestic polcity

states legitimacy and ability to use coercive power

all states have a broad legitimate monopoly on use of violence within borders to enforce laws that underpin social and economic order

• economic power; generate income through taxes

• assumption that state must act to advance needs of its citizens

political power used to pursue interests

law, deployed in ways that align with ruling parties interests and ideologies

• using cybersecurity laws to enforce internet surveillance to safeguard own interests

military power to pursue interests

capacity for violence, taking up arms and develop own capacity to use violence for political ends

• use military power to influence political decisions and outcomes

  • lobbying for particular forms of investment

economic power to pursue interests

spending capacity, including investment and market access (TNCs)

diplomatic power to pursue interests

emphasises negotiation via discussions, leaders summits and representations of its citizens through participation in regional groupings and IGGs

cultural power

exercise of power through the transfer and exchange of culture

• create or exhibit behaviours, ways of living and value-systems that others find appealing (nordic model)

technological power

associate this power with states and TNCs

• best invest in cutting edge research and development that drives technological innovation

perspectives informing actors action of conflict

nationalism, ideology, humanitarian concerns or global influence

nationalism

identifying with ones own state and support for its interests, particulary to the exclusion or detriment of other states interests

• people organise themselves into national communities or societies that require loyalty and service from constituing members

ideology

form a value system of core beliefs and principles, shape a political actors perspective of the world, influence political decisions and drive political actions

• assumptions regarding how politics operates

• preferences or visions for how society should be organised

• strategies to bring about change

humanitarian concerns

active belief in value of humans life, individuals assist each other to improve conditions of humanity for moral and unselfish reasons

• IGGs and UN

global influence

all global actors have some ability to exert influence on a global scale

• Meta created Libra as gloval currency to enable users to conduct financial transactions across borders

regional groupings

advance regional cooperation and/or integration with member states along economic, political or military lines

IGGs interests

promote cooperation and multilateralism by facilitating relationships between states, promote internal norms and laws

TNCs interests

maximise profits and create value for stakeholders

theories that explain how global actors operate

cosmopolitanism, liberalism or realism

cosmopolitanism

idea that all human beings are members of a single moral community transcends national boundaries

• prioritise cooperation to reach common goals

• meet challenges faced by community

  • expressed through declarations, treaties and UN resolutions

liberalism

belief that supports international institutions, open markets, liberal democracy and collective cooperative security

• promoted by driven values

  • human rights

  • equality etc

realism

global actors priotise their own interests over the needs of others, seeking to maximise their own power to safeguard own survival

• states must actively look after themselves

  • interstate relationships = strategic competition