Chapter 2 (FOUNDATIONS OF INTL. RELATIONS)

Chapter 2 (FOUNDATIONS OF INTL. RELATIONS)

Introduction to International Relations

• International Relations (IR) originated in response to global conflicts, primarily wars, influencing global systems and political structures.

• Contextual Background: Significant historical events leading to IR include:

  • Global pandemics

  • Recessions

  • Two World Wars (WWI and WWII)

• The discipline aims to understand the interactions among nation-states, organizations, and individuals shaped by historical events.

Origins of International Relations

• 1919: Birth of International Relations as a formal discipline, motivated by the desire to manage warfare and prevent conflict.

• Significant Academic Institutions:

  • Aberystwyth University (UK)

  • Georgetown University (US)

Major Historical Periods Influencing International Relations

1. The First World War (1914-1918)

   • Collapse of the 'Concert of Europe,' leading to unprecedented warfare involving over thirty states.

2. Interwar Period (1919-1938)

   • Establishment of the League of Nations aimed at conflict prevention.

   • Economic downturns leading to global repercussions (e.g., 1929 Stock Market Crash).

3. The Second World War (1939-1945)

   • Expansionist policies of Germany and Japan challenge the international order, leading to widespread conflict.

4. The Cold War (1947-1991)

   • Marked by nuclear deterrence and ideological conflicts between capitalism and communism, resulting in proxy wars.

5. The New World Order (1991-2000)

   • Post-Cold War optimism about global governance through bodies like the UN.

6. Post-9/11 Era (2001-2019)

   • Rise of terrorism and shifts in international focus towards security threats.

7. Post-Covid-19 Era (2020-present)

   • Global interconnectedness challenged by nationalistic responses; pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in international collaboration.

Emergence of Nation-States

• Westphalian System (1648): Restructured European political landscape post-thirty years war, establishing sovereignty as the foundational principle, crucial for emerging nation-states.

• Key Concepts:

  • Sovereignty: Recognizes defined territorial boundaries and non-intervention principles.

  • Territoriality: Marks the significance of borders and ownership of land.

  • State Dynamics: Internal and external pressures affecting the stability of sovereignty.

Cold War Dynamics

• Bipolar World System: Dominance of the United States and Soviet Union, promoting nuclear deterrence to avoid direct conflict.

• Nuclear Proliferation: Introduction of nuclear weapons fundamentally changed warfare dynamics and strategies, cementing mutually assured destruction (MAD).

• Proxy Warfare: Engagement in indirect conflicts globally to exert influence without direct confrontation.

The Role of Non-State Actors and Human Rights

• Incremental Rise of Individual Agencies: Emergence of human rights discussions as a response to war atrocities.

• Influence of International Organizations: Such as the United Nations in addressing human rights and managing crises.

• Human Rights Norms: Established through documents like the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' (1948) to protect individual rights on a global scale.

Conclusion - Understanding Today's Global System

• Complex Interplay: Sovereignty, human agency, and the role of international organizations converge to create a dynamic global landscape.

• Reflection on War Prevention: Although large-scale wars (like WWIII) have not occurred recently, pathways for conflict resolution have evolved through diplomacy, trade, and international collaboration.

• Future Relations: Insight into the nature of future global relations hinges on cooperation, shared governance, and active engagement in human rights discourse.

Questions for Reflection

1. How has the concept of warfare influenced the development of International Relations?

2. What is the significance of the 'Westphalian system' in shaping contemporary states?

3. Can diplomatic efforts and international organizations effectively mitigate large-scale conflicts today?

4. How do you define the current state of global polarity?

5. What insights do you have about the post-Covid-19 era's impact on international relations?