State Sovereignty & Noninterference
Definition: States have paramount authority within their own borders, meaning other states should refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs.
Security Dilemma
Explanation: When one state enhances its security through military buildup, other states perceive this as a threat. In turn, they may respond by increasing their own military capabilities, leading to a cycle where overall security diminishes for all involved parties.
Geoeconomics
Definition: The strategy of using economic tools (such as sanctions, trade policies, and investment strategies) to achieve geopolitical objectives.
Neoliberal Rules-Based International Order
Description: Post-1945 international system that promotes democracy, free trade, international institutions, and cooperation among states, largely dominated by U.S. policies and influence.
Revisionist Behavior & Erosion of Order
Discussion: States that are dissatisfied with the current international system, such as China and Russia, tend to challenge the established rules to seek greater power and influence on the global stage.
Realism vs. Liberalism
Realism:
Core belief: States primarily seek power within an anarchic system where conflict is a common occurrence.
Liberalism:
Core belief: Cooperation among states is feasible and can be achieved through institutions, international trade, and the promotion of democracy.
Defensive vs. Offensive Realism
Defensive Realism:
Concept: States aim to acquire sufficient power solely for their security needs.
Offensive Realism:
Concept: States pursue maximum power and seek hegemony in the international sphere.
Neoliberal Institutionalism
Assertion: International institutions play a key role in reducing uncertainty in international relations, encouraging cooperative behavior, and lowering the costs associated with conflict.
Democratic & Commercial Peace Theory
Democratic Peace:
Principle: Democracies rarely engage in warfare against one another.
Commercial Peace:
Principle: Interdependence from trade tends to lower the likelihood of war.
Levels of Analysis
Individual Level: Analysis that focuses on leaders (e.g., decisions made by presidents).
State Level: Analysis that examines domestic politics and regime types.
Systemic Level: Analysis that looks at the international structure, including anarchy and polarity among states.
Sources of Power
Natural Sources: Geographic location, population size, and natural resources.
Tangible Sources: Military capabilities, economic strength, and technological advancements.
Intangible Sources: Soft power, legitimacy in the international community, and cultural influence.
Warfare as a Social Condition
Explanation: Warfare is significantly influenced by political, economic, and societal factors, with instances where violence can become monetarily profitable (e.g., for warlords or militias).
Trends in Armed Conflict Since 1945
Observation: A notable decline in interstate wars has occurred, while there has been an increase in civil wars and other forms of intrastate conflicts.
Three Waves of Civil Wars
First Wave: Anti-colonial wars that emerged post-World War II.
Second Wave: Proxy conflicts during the Cold War.
Third Wave: Post-Cold War identity-based and fragmented wars.
Technology & Civil Wars
Impact: The advent of social media, drones, and affordable weaponry has led to a more decentralized nature of conflict, prolonging civil wars.
Causes of War (By Theory)
Realism: Wars stem from power competition and security anxieties.
Liberalism: Wars can arise from a lack of democratic governance and weak institutional frameworks.
Constructivism: Wars are influenced by dangerous norms, identity politics, and prevailing narratives.
Bargaining Theory of War
Explanation: Wars occur when negotiation processes fail due to:
Information Asymmetry: One side possesses private information that is not shared with the other.
Commitment Problems: Parties cannot rely on or trust each other's promises.
Indivisibility: The disputed issue is unable to be divided or compromised upon.
Jus ad Bellum vs. Jus in Bello
Jus ad Bellum: Focused on the justice of going to war.
Jus in Bello: Focused on the justice of conduct during the war itself.
Four Conditions of Jus ad Bellum
Just Cause: There must be a legitimate reason for engaging in warfare.
Legitimate Authority: Only those in positions of legitimate authority may declare war.
Last Resort: War should only be declared after all other options have been exhausted.
Reasonable Chance of Success: A fair expectation of success, often linked to the concept of proportionality in the context of the conflict.
Types of Sanctions
Various forms including: Economic sanctions, trade restrictions, financial sanctions, travel bans, and arms embargoes.
Limits of Sanctions
Challenges include: Evasion by targeted regimes, lack of universal international cooperation, the detrimental impact on civilians, and the resilience of the targeted regime against sanctions.
Arguments For/Against Foreign Aid
Arguments For:
Reduction of poverty.
Promotion of stability in vulnerable regions.
Building alliances and diplomatic relations with recipient countries.
Arguments Against:
Risks of corruption in aid distribution.
Potential dependency of recipient countries on foreign assistance.
Possibility of wasted resources and ineffectiveness of aid programs.
Improving Foreign Aid
Recommendations include:
Focusing on governance reform in recipient countries.
Ensuring accountability in the use of funds.
Establishing partnerships with local entities.
Creating measurable outcomes to assess impact effectively.
Effectiveness of UN Peacekeeping
Findings: Peacekeeping efforts have shown to reduce the recurrence of civil wars, protect civilian populations, and tend to be more effective when missions are both large in scale and sustained over longer periods of time.