World Politics exam 1 (beg--liberalism)

1639

Treaty of Zuhab

-established borders that largely persist today

-one of the longest lasting borders in IR

-divided a minority population (Kurds)—the Persian and Ottoman empires wanted to deal with the Kurds on their side of the boundary

-was primarily to establish non-intervention over the (now) Kurds

1648

Treaties of Westphalia

-a series of treaties that marked the end of the 30 Years War in the Holy Roman Empire and the 80 Years War between Spain and the Dutch Republic

-^^the wars were costly and exhausting so people wanted to resolve the underlying tensions that caused the wars

-initiated a NEW PERIOD in political history that would be based upon the supremacy of sovereign states; included some religious freedoms and early recognition of citizenship

-the parties involved in the treaties agreed that they would NOT INTERVENE in the domestic affairs of other states—states can do whatever they want within their borders

-this was kind of an experiment for sovereignty; they had no idea that it would work but luckily it stuck—these treaties are HOW SOVEREIGNTY WAS CREATED/ESTABLISHED in the international system

1815

Congress of Vienna

-leaders of Europe met to re-establish order across Europe following the Napoleonic Wars

-establish monarchies, borders, and boundaries

-create a system where 5 countries become the guidepost for international politics (this initiates the AGE OF METTERNICH)

1815-1914

Age of Metternich

-a 100 year period during which relative peace across Europe emerge due to the Great Power System

-France, Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, and Austria maintained peace through diplomacy, balance of power, and luck'—for 99 years there was almost peace and stability across European space (Prussia kind of ruined this by wanting Prussian dominance)

1914-1918

World War I

-total war primarily among European powers

-causes included nationalism, arms races, imperialism, alliances, industrialization, military planning, failure of diplomacy

-led to the destruction of remaining European empires and the establishment of sovereign states throughout Europe

1918-1939

The Interwar Period

-post WWI “self determination” in Europe—forced deportations, minority protections, ethnic cleansing

-economic boom and bust—Great Depression

-isolationism of US; rise of radical politics in many countries especially Germany

-rise of Hitler and facism in Europe

1939-1945

World War II

1945-1991

The Cold War

1991-2001

the lost decade

2001-2021

the global war on terror

Known as the textbook example of a failed state

Somalia

How does a realist see sovereignty?

absolute

What kind of power does a realist think matters in the international system?

Military

Which agents do realists emphasize in their analysis of the international system?

States (only states!)

How do realists see power?

as a zero sum game

according to realists, what is the goal of the state?

survive

Cooperate or defect (as a realist) ?

defect

What are the main ideas of Wilson’s 14 Points?

What are the main ideas of the X Telegram?

-written by George Kennan, an American diplomat on the Soviet front after the Russian Civil War

-

What does sovereignty mean to liberalism?

It is essential to their perspective on the international system

• they believe it is LIMITED by a SOCIAL CONTRACT between countries and the international system

• countries that violate the rights of their citizens do not have the right to sovereignty

What are the biggest weaknesses of liberalism?

• it does not explain the prevalence of war, defection, aggression, and other “realist” qualities in the modern world

• it is more concerned with the “could be” and not what really is; liberalists are often rejected in IR as idealists which means that when countries apply liberalism to their foreign policy they open themselves up to the possibility of defection

• requires TRUST

• states that adhere to liberal traditions are vulnerable to defection

What are the biggest strengths of liberalism?

• considers more structures and agents than realism (it doesn’t just care about states)

• can explain cooperation, globalization, and the emerging role of NGOs, international institutions, and supranational authorities

• more optimistic view of humanity and the international system

• cares about different manifestations of power (not just military) i.e. economic, diplomatic, etc.

What three words can be associated with liberalism and its aims for operation?

trust, transparency, and accountability

What is functionalism/what do functionalists believe?

A liberal theory that emerged in the years before World War I

• assumed that world peace would grow naturally out of economic cooperation— “the flag follows trade”

• believed that economic interdependence would become so lucrative that war would become irreverent to the definition of national self-interest (we’re all relying on each other so much so why fight?)

• disputes would be adjudicated by international institutions

  -functionalists believe that free trade stops wars; countries will become so interdependent that the only logical solution would be diplomacy

  -note the fact that the U.S. and China have been able to de escalate tensions because of interdependence, but also note that it took YEARS (enter Neo-functionalism)

Neo-functionalism

a new approach that emerged after World War II

• economic interdependence can transform national self-interest over time, but sometimes we need the change to come more quickly

• so, we need interdependence in leading economic sectors, especially those necessary for war