International Relations Exam #2

Weapons of Mass Destruction Definition

-chemical

-biological

-nuclear

Nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, all distinguished from conventional weapons by their enormous potential lethality and their relative lack of dis-crimination in whom they kill

Democratic Peace Definition

The proposition, strongly supported by empiri-cal evidence, that democracies almost never fight wars against each other (although they do fight against authoritarian states).

Power transition theory definition

A theory that the largest wars result from challenges to the top position in the status hierarchy, when a rising power is surpassing (or threatening to surpass) the most powerful state

territorial conflict definition

control of land

• economic value

• strategic value

• symbolic value

economic conflict definition

• less likely to be violent or militarized

  • military is less effective in resolving economic/trade disputes

• often not a security issue, although illicit trade could pose a threat

NPT definition

A treaty that created a framework for controlling the spread of nuclear materials and expertise, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN agency based in Vienna that is charged with inspecting the nuclear power industry in NPT member states to prevent secret military diversions of nuclear materials.

secession definition

• Seeking to break away from existing state to form a new state

• Ex: chechnya in Russia, Kurds in Turkey and Iraq

• Ex: East Timor, Eritrea, South Sudan 

• Regionally destabilizing 

• Risk of Ethnic cleansing (Ex. bosnia)

irredentism definition

• Reclaiming lost territory

genocide definition

An intentional and systematic attempt to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, in whole or in part. It was confirmed as a crime under international law by the UN Geno-cide Convention (1948)

ethnic conflict definition

• “Ethnicity”: a shared identity based on common language, religion, culture, family ties

• Nationalism: seeking state borders that coincide with ethnic group locations 

• Minorities and majorities lead to discrimination issues: econ inequalities, lack of pol representation, violence, injustices

• Who is the other?

  • Dehumanization 

  • Easier to abuse

• What can be done?

  • Self determination?

  • End inequalities 

  • Education

  • Truth commissions 

nationalism definition

seeking state borders that coincide with ethnic group locations

ethnicity definition

• a shared identity based on common language, religion, culture, family ties

self determination

implies that people who identify as a nation should have the right to form a state and exercise sovereignty over their affairs

discrimination definition

the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability

MAD mutual assured destruction definition

The possession of second-strike nuclear capabilities, which ensures that neither of two adversaries could prevent the other from destroying it in an all-out war

Truth commission definition

Governmental bodies established in several countries after internal wars to hear honest testimony and bring to light what really happened during these wars, and in exchange to offer most of the participants asylum from punishment.

hegemonic war definition

• Ex: WWI, WWII

• Global in scale

• System transforming 

total war definition

• Ex: Iraq-Kuwait war

• Two states

• Intention to conquer and/or occupy 

limited war definition

• Ex: Ecuador-Perú

• Low intensity conflict

civil war definition

• Ex: Sudan

• Secessionist 

• Control over govt’

Provide one explanation for war from EACH level of analysis (individual, domestic, system). What do you think the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments are?

Individual level of analysis

• War is the result of:

  • Aggressive human nature

  • Rational calculations of leaders

  • Miscalculations by leaders

• >none provide predictive accuracy for when war might occur

Domestic Level of Analysis 

• Factors affecting choice of war or peace:

  • Economic systems 

    • Capitalism leads to imperial aggression

    • Liberalism: free

Markets promote peace

• Type of Government

  • Democratic Peace Theory

  • (exception: New democracies)

• > also not very predictive

International Level of Analysis

• Explanations for war based on shifts in Balance of Power (BOP) between states

• Structural factors contribute to war:

  • Anarchy (no world government)

  • Weak legal system 

  • Destabilizing changes in power

• Security dilemma

  • Deterrence results in an arms race instead of promoting security

• Power transition theory

  • War is most likely when rising power challenges hegemon

The text describes six different causes of wars (immediate reasons) (conflicts of interest and conflicts of ideas). Identify and describe three different causes. What steps would you propose to reduce the likelihood of conflict from these sources of tension?

Conflicts of Interests: Territory

• Control of land

  • Economic value 

  • Strategic value

  • Symbolic value

• Irredentism 

  • Reclaiming lost territory

• Post- WWII norm of territorial integrity 

• Secession

  • Seeking to break away from existing state to form a new state

  • Ex: chechnya in Russia, Kurds in Turkey and Iraq

  • Ex: East Timor, Eritrea, South Sudan 

  • Regionally destabilizing 

  • Risk of Ethnic cleansing (Ex. bosnia)

• Border disputes

  • Less common now 

  • Opportunity for peaceful settlement of disputes through int’l courts

• Control over water/airspace

  • UN Law of the Sea: 12 mile and 200 mile EEZ

Conflict of Interest: Control of Government

• Civil war: fighting between factions within a country

• Struggle over political and often economic power

• Foreign intervention- violation of sovereignty

Conflict of Interest: Economics 

• Less likely to be violent or militarized 

  • Military is less effective in resolving economic/trade disputes

• Often not a security issue, although illicit trade could pose a threat

Conflict of ideas

• Ethnicity

• Religion 

• Ideology

Conflict of ideas: ethnicity

• “Ethnicity”: a shared identity based on common language, religion, culture, family ties

• Nationalism: seeking state borders that coincide with ethnic group locations 

• Minorities and majorities lead to discrimination issues: econ inequalities, lack of pol representation, violence, injustices

• Who is the other?

  • Dehumanization 

  • Easier to abuse

• What can be done?

  • Self determination?

  • End inequalities 

  • Education

  • Truth commissions 

  • Develop national (not ethnic) identities 

Conflict of ideas: religion

• Also framed in terms of the other/non-believer

• Can be more intractable because of moral justifications 

• Fundamentalists vs secularists 

• May be more about nationalism than religion 

Conflict of ideas: ideology

• Symbolic of other issues that are at stake 

• Used instrumentally to mobilize support 

• Tends to lose fervor over time 

• May produce shifts in balances of power within countries

Compare and contrast hegemonic war, total war, limited war, and civil wars. Give an example of each.

• Hegemonic War

  • Ex: WWI, WWII

  • Global in scale

  • System transforming 

• Total War

  • Ex: Iraq-Kuwait war

  • Two states

  • Intention to conquer and/or occupy 

• Limited War

  • Ex: Ecuador-Perú

  • Low intensity conflict

• Civil War

  • Ex: Sudan

  • Secessionist 

  • Control over govt’

Describe the different configuration of forces that the military might have. What types of forces are useful for which tasks? How does the US compare to other military forces around the world (be specific)?

Types of military forces include: army, navy, air force, and specialized units like special operations. Each type is suited for specific tasks such as ground combat, maritime security, air superiority, or counter-terrorism operations, with the US military being one of the most technologically advanced and globally deployed forces.

Compare and contrast three different types of weapons of mass destruction. What steps have been taken to reduce the threats posed by these weapons?

conventions in chapter- genova (wwI) biologiical weapons (1972) chemical (1992)

-chemical: more inforcement, reporting, progression of increasing rigor to conventions to reduce distrust

-NPT: non proliferation treaty

-CTBT: convention against testing

mercantilism definition

An economic theory and a political ideology opposed to free trade; it shares with realism the belief that each state must protect its own interests without seeking mutual gains through international organizations.

free trade

The flow of goods and services across national boundaries unimpeded by tariffs or other restrictions; in principle (if not always in practice), free trade was a key aspect of Britain’s policy after 1846 and of U.S. policy after 1945

comparative advantage definition

The principle that says states should specialize in trading goods that they produce with the greatest relative efficiency and at the lowest relative cost (relative, that is, to other goods produced by the same state)

protectionism definition

The protection of domestic industries against international competition, by trade tariffs and other means

dumping definition

The sale of products in foreign markets at prices below the minimum level necessary to make a profit (or below cost)

tariff definition

A duty or tax levied on certain types of imports (usually as a percentage of their value) as they enter a country

non-tariff barriers definition

Forms of restricting imports other than tariffs, such as quotas (ceilings on how many goods of a certain kind can be imported)

WTO definition

An organization begun in 1995 that replaced the GATT and expanded its traditional focus on manufactured goods. The WTO created monitoring and enforcement mechanisms

GATT definition

A world organization established in 1947 to work for freer trade on a multilateral basis; the GATT was more of a negotiating framework than an administrative institution. It became the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995.

mixed economy definition

• Western economies are “mixed”

  • Some government planning and ownership 

  • Some regulation 

Imperfections in the market

• Problems government intervention can address: 

  • monopolies/oligopolies 

  • Corruption 

  • Weak legal framework

• Problems created by governments 

  • Sanctions 

  • tariffs/taxes

centrally planned economy definition

• Ideal: make economies more just, assure a minimum standard for all

• Reality: helped industrialize, but led to many inefficiencies. Caused environmental damage. High mil spending

• Transitions: gradual or rapid 

exchange rate definition

The rate at which one state’s currency can be exchanged for the currency of another state. Since 1973, the interna-tional monetary system has depended mainly on floating rather than fixed exchange rates

foreign direct investment definition

The acquisition by residents of one country of control over a new or existing business in another coun-try. Also called direct foreign investment

hyperinflation definition

An extremely rapid, uncontrolled rise in prices, such as occurred in Germany in the 1920s and in some third world countries more recently

NAFTA > USMCA definition (transition to new name)

A free trade zone encompassing the United States, Canada, and Mexico since 1994

due to a renegotiation process initiated by the United States, aiming for a more modern and balanced trade agreement with stronger labor and environmental protections, and specific changes in rules of origin for automobiles

devaluation definition

A unilateral move to reduce the value of a currency by changing a fixed or official exchange rate

central bank definition

An institution common in industrialized countries whose major tasks are to maintain the value of the state’s currency and to control inflation

MNCs definition

A company based in one state with affiliated branches or subsidiaries operating in other states

Regional trading blocs (FTAs) definition

groups of countries that form economic alliances to promote trade and cooperation within a specific geographic region, often by reducing or eliminating trade barriers

intellectual property rights definition

The legal protection of the original works of inventors, authors, creators, and performers under patent, copyright, and trademark law. Such rights became a contentious area of trade negotiations in the 1990s

OPEC definition

The most prominent cartel in the international economy; its members control about half the world’s total oil exports, enough to affect the world price of oil significantly

interdependence definition

A political and economic situation in which two states are simultaneously dependent on each other for their well-being. The degree of interdependence is sometimes designated in terms of “sensitivity” or “vulnerability.”

autarky definition

A policy of self-reliance, avoiding or minimizing trade and trying to produce everything one needs (or the most vital things) by oneself

Compare and contrast Economic Liberalism with Mercantilism with regard to
government involvement in the market, focus on gains, and positive and negative consequences.

1. Free markets

   1. Prices and production determined by supply and demand 

Supply and Demand

• Demand: when price is high, quantity demanded is low>as price decreases, demand goes up

• Supply: when price is low, quantity supplied is low> as price increases, supply goes up 

• Equilibrium: supply = demand. Just enough product at the right place

2. Limited Government Intervention

   1. Create infrastructure, maintain order and uphold rules 

   2. Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” - market regulates itself

3. Few Trade Barriers

   1. Goods, services, investment money flow freely across borders 

4. Values private property 

   1. The right to own and control 

5. Values indiv. Econ freedom

   1. Where to work, what to buy, how to invest

6. Focused on absolute gains, NOT relative gains

   1. Relative- who got the best deal 

   2. Absolute- we both benefited 

Economic Liberalism: Potential Benefits

• Promotes competition

• Promote innovation and entrepreneurship 

• Attracts investment 

• Promotes efficiencies 

  • Comparative advantage: produce/export goods you can make cheaply, import goods that you can’t

• Greater consumer choices/low prices

• Creates new jobs 

• Interdependence mitigates boom-bust 

Economic Liberalism: Drawbacks to free trade 

• Short term costs for long term gains 

• Inequalities 

  • Domestic inequalities 

  • International inequalities 

• Deregulation 

  • Labor, environ standards, banking sector risks 

• Privatization 

  • Reduced access and increased costs 

Mercantilism: Characteristics

• Historical approach (1800s) and maybe moving toward this again 

• Supports government regulation of econ policies to increase state power 

• Government should manipulate favorable balances of trade, seeking a trade surplus (avoiding a trade deficit)

• Advocates for protectionist policies 

  • To expand exports and limit imports (achieve trade surpluses)

  • Prefers relative gains over absolute gains 

• Consequences 

  • Consumers pay higher prices 

  • Risk of trade wars 

  • Less economic growth

• Autarky: beyond mercantilism

  • Full self reliance (ex: NK); very costly

  • Reject benefits of comparative advantage 

Describe how centrally planned economies work compared to free market
economies. Describe some market imperfections that “mixed” economies try to mitigate

• Ideal: make economies more just, assure a minimum standard for all

• Reality: helped industrialize, but led to many inefficiencies. Caused environmental damage. High mil spending

• Transitions: gradual or rapid 

Mixed economies 

• Western economies are “mixed”

  • Some government planning and ownership 

  • Some regulation 

Imperfections in the market

• Problems government intervention can address: 

  • monopolies/oligopolies 

  • Corruption 

  • Weak legal framework

• Problems created by governments 

  • Sanctions 

  • tariffs/taxes

Describe different motivations for states to engage in protectionism. What are
some different methods to do this?

• Motivations 

  • Domestic demands

  • Protect new industries 

  • Protect national security interests 

  • Nationalism 

  • Prevent dumping 

    • Sell products at a lower price to a different country. Losing profit but you drive their industry down and then have a monopoly (raise prices)

• Methods

  • Tariffs (largely reduced by GATT)

  • Non tariff barriers (NTBs)

  • Quotas 

  • Subsidies

Describe the founding and purpose of the WTO. Why is there opposition to the WTO? Do you think this is justified?

• Created in 1995 to replace GATT

• Same purpose: to reduce trade barriers and promote economic growth 

• 166 current members

• “Rounds” of negotiation

  • Uruguay Round 1986-94

  • Doha Round 2001-15

• Int’l forum for negotiating trade issues, including MFN (most favored nation status) - same tariff rates applied to all

• Also allows for GSP (globalized system of preferences) allows for even lower rates for developing countries 

opposition: infringement on national sovereignty, labor unions with job loss, environmental groups

What roles do MNCS and FDI play in the global economy?

Multinational corporations (MNCs) facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) by investing in operations across different countries, significantly influencing global trade and economic development.

• Located in multiple countries 

• FDI- foreign direct investment 

• Seek stable economies and politics 

• Risks: nationalized holdings, war, corruption

• Lured by favorable investment conditions (weak regulatory environment, tax breaks)

Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear Weapons because of their sheer power are very destructive n extremely difficult to defend. There are two types: Atomic n hydrogen bombs

Atomic bombs are less expensive and easier to make than hydrogen bombs. Atomic bombs are fission bombs - the atoms split and release energy when they explode. Eg of atomic bomb is Fat boy or little man.

Hydrogen bombs are fusion bombs - two atoms, variants of hydrogen, join together and become a large atom releasing energy. Hydrogen bombs are 1000x more powerful than Atomic bombs. Countries that are the richest, most technologically advanced are the ones that can produce them.

Chemical weapons are another form of weapons of mass destruction. They are toxic through touch and inhalation. They are lethal as they affect the blood, nervous system and breathing. They are cheap and easy to disguise like sarin or agent orange.

Biological weapons are the third form of weapons of mass destruction. They are living micro organisms that cause damage, disease and death like smallpox and anthrax. They can cause unselective epidemics. They affect humans and animals and can be transmitted through contaminated food, water and air

And then for this question you talk about the different treaties at the end:

NPT (1968)

CWC (1992)

BWC (1972)