politics 3.1

Globalisation

The acceleration and
intensification of exchanges of goods,
services, labour and capital, which
promote global interdependence, facilitated by rapid
changes in communication and
technology.

Multilateralism

Refers to a system of coordinating relations
between three or more global actors, usually in
pursuit of specific objectives.

Power

Refers to the ability of one global
actor to influence the actions of
another global actor. Power can be
exercised in a range of types.

Sovereignty

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders.

This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community.

State sovereignty can be challenged
internally (for example, secessionist
groups) or externally (for example,
one state invades another).

States

The central actor in global politics.

States possess:
permanent population
defined territory
recognised sovereignty.

States are not necessarily culturally homogenous, for
example Australia.

Nation

Refers to groups of people claiming
common bonds based on culture,
language and history. Some nations
have their own state,

Global Governance

A rules-based system of formal and informal political coordination seeking to pursue \n common goals or solve common problems. It involves states, international organisations, \n non-government organisations, transnational corporations and other aspects of civil society.

Security

The protection of a state’s territorial integrity and sovereignty from threats. The concept of \n security has been broadened in the globalised world, going beyond traditional threats such as \n war, to encompass third agenda threats such as terrorism, climate change etc.

Idealism

The consideration of morals, or noble principles as a motivation for a state’s foreign policy or \n actions.

Pragmitism

The consideration of practical consequences as a motivation for a state’s foreign policy or actions.

Aims of the UN

* Keep Peace throughout the world
* Develop friendly relations between nations
* Work together to help people live better lives, eliminate poverty, disease, and illiteracy around the world, to stop environmental degradation, encourage respect for each others rights and freedoms.
* Promote human rights.
* To be a center for helping Nations achieve these aims.

Role of the UN

The primary role of the UN is to act as a **central forum** for states to work together to ***preserve peace and tackle third-agenda issues***, promoting multilateralism and international cooperation.

* Discussing and debating international crises (primarily in the general assembly and security council)
* Deploying peacekeepers (This is the main tool used by the UN to maintain peace and stability around the world)
* Creating and enforcing international law
* Solve international crises

Power of the UN

The UN is only as powerful as member states allow it to be.

General assembly → resolutions show political consensus of the international community and can hold rogue states to account.

UNSC → resolutions are binding, and become international law. This must be enforced by states.

Peacekeeping:

Sanctions: Restricts the capacity of rogue states to carry out particular actions by limited access to money or materials. (difficulty enforcing, innocent citizens impacted)

Specialised Agency Work: establish by the GA, e.g. WHO, WFP etc.

Furthermore, the UN can further assist in facilitating the signing of treaties that influence and set agreed standards of behaviour.

Aims of the IMF

* Promote international monetary cooperation and exchange-rate stability
* facilitate the expansion and balanced growth of international trade
* assist in the establishment of a multilateral system of payments
* make resources available (with adequate safeguards) to members experiencing balance of payments difficulties.

Surveillance (IMF)

* Highlights risks to stability
* Monitors the economic and financial policy of members at a global and state level
* Advises on policy adjustments needed to sustain economic growth and stability.

Lending (IMF)

* Provide loans to members with actual or potential balance of payment problems
* Enables states to rebuild reserves, stabilise, and build towards strong economic growth
* Does not loan for specific projects
* **IMF derives its power from the conditions that it attaches to loans. States are required to undertake policy reform and funds can be withheld if these conditions are not met.**

Capacity Development

* Provides technical assistance and training. This is tailored to individual states and specific institutions.
* Provides assistance to states to achieve their growth and development objectives.
* Helps states to compile and communicate financial data, fostering transparency and accountability.

Structural Agreement Programs

Consist of loans provided by the IMF to countries that experience economic crises with the hope of making the economy more sustainable and competitive to encourage growth. (conditional loans → source of. power)

Austerity Measures

* Increased taxation
* Public Spending Cuts

Articles and Agreements

* Layout the funds purpose
* Mandate members’ rights and obligations

Washington Consensus

* Privatisation of services and Liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment
* Deregulation of barriers to trade or market growth
* Redirection of public spending from subsidies (tax reform, broadening the tax base, and adopting moderate marginal tax rates)

Aims of NGOs

* Make political change
* influencing the development of global norms
* Expertise and information from these organizations allow them to shape international norms and standards
* Raise public awareness to inform the public of current issues and increase popular pressure for change within states

Roles of NGOs

* Pressure States into Change
* NGOs can assist governments in meeting basic needs for citizens
* eg. the Red Cross, Medecins San Frontiers, Oxfan, etc.
* NGO may assist developing states in creating policies and systems
* NGOs may influence the development of international laws and trade.

Power of NGOs

NGOs do not have any hard power (e.g. military) Thus, they derive power from moral authority, credible information, public opinion, mobilising effective responses and aid programs

Power of Global Terrorist Organisations

* Influencing Global Politics
* 30,000 deaths since 2013 caused by ISIS alone
* Shape Agenda of States
* US has spent 2.8 trillion between 2002 and 2017 fighting terrorism
* Impacts on legal and political institutions (e.g. air travel limitations, increased surveillance of civilians)
* Military Power
* Asymmetrical Warfare
* Economic Power
* ISIS was earning millions of dollars per day when it controlled the territorial caliphate
* Global Reach
* Attract 40,000 foreign fighters from 110 states
* Launched attacks in 27 countries

ISIS Aims

1) Create an Islamic Caliphate

2) Spread Global Jihad

3) Ensure devotion (purify the world from non-believers)

ISIS Roles

* Terror Attacks
* Administering the caliphate
* Propaganda
* Asymmetrical Warfare

Greenpeace Aims

* protect biodiversity in all its forms
* prevent pollution and abuse of the earth’s ocean, land, air, and fresh water
* end all nuclear threats
* promote peace, global disarmament, and non-violence

TNC Aims

The Primary aim of all TNCs is to maximise profit.

\
TNCs want to pursue their business free from restrictions imposed by other global actors (e.g. regional groupings, states, and the UN)

Roles of TNCs

* Provide goods and services to consumers globally
* Foreign Direct Investment
* Governments may offer tax incentives for this
* Employment
* TNCs employ more than 86 million people worldwide.
* Drive Trade
* 1/3 + of the worlds trade is between TNCs
* Drive Innovation
* TNCs control 50% of global research and development funds
* Community Building and Environmental Works
* TNCs are under pressure to operate with corporate social responsibility.

TNC Power

**TNCs have extensive economic power.**

FDI provides jobs and increased wages in the host state. States (especially developing states) need FDIs to ensure continued economic development and increased living standards.

* This increases the power of TNCs and their ability to influence govt decisions (and undermine states and their sovereignty)
* States can regulate, tax, and prosecute TNCs

*Political Power*

* e.g. Facebook gains its power through being the most widely used social media platform. It is the place where politics (news and discussions) happen.

*TNCs lack military power.*

*Are TNCs more powerful than states?*

* IGOs regulate the actions of TNCs but their actions shape societies in states
* States do have the power to regulate TNCs through legislation and jurisdiction of their courts. It is more effective when governments act collectively.

State’s Power

Military- Military capabilities and technology, alliances, manpower

\
Economic- Strong GDP/GDP Per capita, diverse resources, rich and rare earth materials, strong trade partnerships

\
Diplomatic- High level ministerial talks, trust within global political arena, participation and roles within institutions of global governance and signing of treaties.

\
Political- Government making domestic laws and policies to achieve a national interest.

\
Geopolitical- geographical position, landlocked or Island, water access, natural resources.

\
Cultural- Having a desirable culture which other actors are drawn to follow.

ICC Aims

* Ensure World’s worst perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes
* Serve as a court of last resort that can investigate, prosecute, and punish the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression
* Promote international security by deterring future would be perpetrators
* Assist national judiciaries in carrying out proceedings

ICC Roles

* To establish a historical record and give voice + justice to victims (who can participate in proceedings and request reparations)

ICC Power

→ Derives power from the Rome Statute of 2002

* Therefore, court can only try crimes committed since July 2002
* 2/3 of judges must agree for a conviction to take place
* Funded by member states and other donations

**Effectiveness**: depends on the cooperation of states, pressure placed on non-compliant states by these states, cost/ damage to the reputation of a non compliant state and willingness of the UN Security Council to exercise coercive diplomacy

ICC Efficacy

The ICC has issued 40 arrest warrants as of 2023. Thanks to cooperation from States, 21 people have been detained in the ICC detention centre and have appeared before the Court. 16 people remain at large. Charges have been dropped against 5 people due to their deaths.

ICC Limitations and Criticisms

* Too much money and takes too long
* US placed sanctions on ICC Officials in response to them wishing to investigate war crimes in Afghanistan
* African Bias
* Relies on State Cooperation