Kaarten: Actors (BB) | Quizlet

The State

The state is seen as an aggregate of national bodies responsible for determining foreign policy, equipped with a range of capabilities. Many theories (e.g., structural realism, neoliberal institutionalism, Wendt's constructivism) often view the state as a "unitary actor," disregarding domestic struggles among individuals, institutions, parties, and interest groups. Example: Waltz's structural realism, Keohane's neoliberal institutionalism, Wendt's constructivism.

Transnational Government Networks

Transnational networks of functional branches of national governments, often within multilateral institutions ("transgovernmentalism"). They build consensus on societal problems (e.g., finance, terrorism, climate) and can influence politics by joint decisions (advice, studies). Their rise erodes the Westphalian model. Example: forums of health, environment, intelligence, or police officials.

International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)

Are international organizations established and guided by governments. They may be formal (treaty-based, e.g., UN, WTO, IMF) or informal (no treaty/secretariat, e.g., G20, G7, BRICS). They are actors when they make independent decisions that impact world politics.

Secretariats of IGOs

Secretariats (e.g., UN Secretary-General) hold moral authority, expertise, and autonomy, allowing them to issue humanitarian appeals, studies, or proposals that shape world politics independently of states.

Individuals and Foreign Policy Elites

Decision-makers or networks of individuals can have autonomy in shaping international politics, especially when institutions allow freedom. Example: Trump shaping US foreign policy; Gorbachev's reforms driving the end of the Cold War.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

NGOs wield moral authority, expertise, mobilization capacity, and other resources to influence international politics. Example: Not specified in sources, but generally applies to global NGOs like Amnesty International or Greenpeace.

Multi-stakeholder Partnerships / Global Public Policy Networks

Informal networks of governments, corporations, NGOs, sometimes joined by agencies or foundations. They collaborate on governance issues via flexible agreements (e.g., MoUs), offering resources and expertise. Example: partnerships on vaccines, water, or renewable energy.

Epistemic Communities

Transnational networks of experts in a field, sometimes overlapping with government networks. Example: IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

Classes (Marxist perspective)

In Marxist thought, classes are key actors based on interests and influence on government policy. Beyond capital-labor, distinctions include protectionist vs. internationalist capital, or productive vs. financial capital. Example: Protectionist capital defends national markets; internationalist capital pushes for open markets.

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