Global Governance
Define IGO and NGO.
Provide an example of each.
Governmental (IGO) and Non-governmental (NGO)
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change that was adopted in December 2015 at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, France. The agreement aims to address the global challenge of climate change by taking collective action to limit global warming and its impacts
What are the main schools of thought in IR?
Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism
What European country ceased to exist as a result of World War I?
The Austo-Hungarian Empire
In international relations, what is anarchy?
There is no structure or rules.
What is the democratic peace theory?
Democracies are unlikely to go to war with other democracies
What is Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)?
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) is a concept in international relations and military strategy that emerged during the Cold War. It refers to a situation in which two or more opposing powers possess nuclear weapons and the capability to retaliate against a nuclear attack with equal or greater force. The idea behind MAD is that the threat of massive destruction and annihilation acts as a deterrent, preventing either side from initiating a nuclear war due to the certainty of catastrophic consequences for both parties
What is free trade?
The economic policy and practice of allowing goods, services, and capital to flow across national borders without significant restrictions or barriers such as tariffs, quotas, or excessive regulations. The underlying principle of free trade is based on the idea of maximizing economic efficiency, promoting competition, and facilitating specialization by allowing countries to focus on producing goods and services in which they have a comparative advantage.
What is International Political Economy (IPE)?
IPE is a field of study that examines the interaction between politics and economics at the international level. It analyzes how states, institutions, and actors in the global system manage economic activities, such as trade, finance, investment, development, and globalization, and how these activities influence political dynamics and vice versa.
The European Union consists of how many members?
27
Tell us about NATO...
The NATO treaty created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949), a military alliance among Western democracies aimed at collective defense and security cooperation against potential aggression, particularly from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Realism is at the ( ) level of analysis and considers ( ) to be the dominant factor in international relations.
systemic; power
What European power had the largest overseas empire? in 1914?
Britain
What is Bubble Thinking?
Bubble thinking" in international relations (IR) refers to a phenomenon where policymakers, analysts, or scholars develop narrow perspectives that are isolated from broader global realities, alternative viewpoints, or critical analysis... Ultimately, it's pressure to keep bad news from leaders
What is bargaining theory?
What is crisis bargaining?
Bargaining theory refers to the study of how states and actors negotiate and make agreements in the international arena. It focuses on understanding the strategies, tactics, motivations, and outcomes of bargaining processes between actors with conflicting interests
Negotiations or interactions between parties during a crisis, where stakes are high, time is limited, and there is a sense of urgency to reach an agreement or resolution.
What is the diversionary theory of war?
According to the diversionary theory of war, unpopular leaders generate foreign policy crises to both divert the public's attention away from the discontent with their rule and bolster their political fortunes through a rally around the flag effect.
Example:
Domestic unrest is one of the major causes of war.
In the early 1990s, Yugoslavia experienced significant domestic unrest due to ethnic tensions and political fragmentation. The breakup of Yugoslavia into several independent states, such as Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and others, was marked by violent conflicts and wars. The internal strife, fueled by nationalist sentiments and historical grievances, led to brutal ethnic cleansing campaigns, widespread violence, and humanitarian crises.
The domestic unrest in Yugoslavia not only resulted in internal conflicts but also drew in neighboring countries and international actors. The international community, including the United Nations and NATO, intervened to mediate conflicts, provide humanitarian aid, and, in some cases, engage in military operations to address the escalating violence.
What is GNP (Gross National Product)?
GNP is a measure of the total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents and businesses, including income earned from abroad. It provides an overview of a country's economic performance and is often used in economic analysis alongside GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
What are Countervailing Forces?
Countervailing forces refer to factors or influences that act in opposition to, or balance out, other forces or trends. In the context of international trade and economics, countervailing forces can include policies, actions, or mechanisms that offset the effects of market forces, such as tariffs to counteract subsidies, regulatory measures to address unfair competition, or interventions to stabilize currency exchange rates. These forces are often used to mitigate distortions or challenges in economic systems and maintain equilibrium.
What is the UN Charter? Why is it significant?
Based on the principles that states are equal under international law; that states have full sovereignty over their own affairs; that states should have full independence and territorial integrity; and that states should carry out their international obligations, such a respecting diplomatic privileges, refraining from committing aggression, and observing the terms of treaties they sign. The UN Charter lays out the structure of the UN and the methods by which it operates.
What is the Nuclear Non-Proliferations Treaty?
(1986)
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international treaty aimed at preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promoting disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It is considered one of the cornerstones of global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
3 main pillars
Non-Proliferation: Non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS) that are party to the NPT commit not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons or nuclear weapons technology. They agree to accept International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards on their nuclear facilities to verify compliance.
Disarmament: Nuclear-weapon states (NWS) that are party to the NPT commit to pursue negotiations in good faith on nuclear disarmament, with the ultimate goal of eliminating their nuclear arsenals.
Peaceful Uses: All parties to the NPT have the right to access and benefit from peaceful nuclear technology and cooperation, such as nuclear energy for electricity generation, medical uses, and scientific research.
What are the 3 levels of analysis in IR?
Individual- The individual level of analysis concerns the perceptions, choices, and actions of individual human beings.
Domestic (or state or societal)- concerns the aggregations of individuals within states that influence state actions in the international arena.
Systemic- concerns the influence of the international system upon outcomes. This analysis focuses on the interactions of states themselves, without regard to their internal makeup or the particular individuals who lead them. (Traditionally the most important level).
The overall US strategy in the Cold War was called
Containment
National Security
This encompasses the measures taken by a nation to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens from external threats. It includes military defense, intelligence activities, border control, and policies related to defense and security.
What is Hegemonic Stability Theory?
the presence of a strong state or hegemon will bring stability to the international system.
What are the four goals of terrorism?
Territorial Change
Regime Change
Policy Change
Social Control
What is the Modernization Theory
This theory posits that societies undergo a series of stages of development characterized by technological advancements, industrialization, urbanization, and social changes. It suggests that traditional societies can progress and improve their living standards by adopting modern technologies and institutions.
What is a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
FDI occurs when a company or individual from one country makes a substantial investment in a business or physical assets in another country, with the intention of gaining significant control or influence over the operations of that business. FDI often involves long-term commitments and can include investments in factories, infrastructure, or acquiring ownership stakes in companies.
What are the main differences between international and national law?
International, unlike national laws, derives not from actions of a legislative branch or other central authority but from tradition and agreements signed by states. It also differs in the difficult of enforcement, which depends not the power and authority of central government but on reciprocity, collective actions, and international norms. Laws within states come from central authorities – legislatures or dictators.
Describe the Lisbon Treaty/Treaty of Lisbon.
How did it change the EU?
The Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Lisbon, is an important treaty that amended the founding treaties of the European Union (EU). It was signed in Lisbon, Portugal, in December 2007 and entered into force on December 1, 2009. The Treaty of Lisbon made significant changes to the functioning and structure of the EU.
The Treaty of Lisbon gives the EU full legal personality. Therefore, the Union obtains the ability to sign international treaties in the areas of its attributed powers or to join an international organisation. Member States may only sign international agreements that are compatible with EU law.
Which theory considers power as a relative, zero-sum concept?
Realism
What is the The Kyoto Protocol?
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty aimed at combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005. Here are key aspects of the Kyoto Protocol.
The primary objective of the Kyoto Protocol is to address global warming and climate change by setting binding targets for industrialized countries (known as Annex I parties) to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
What are the three core principles for solving collective goods problems in international relations
Dominance, Identity, Reciprocity
What is the main idea of liberal feminism?
Main idea:
Men and women can and should play the same important roles in world politics, regardless of gender.
Explain Pre-emptive vs Preventative war
Preemptive War: This type of war occurs when a country perceives an imminent threat or attack from another state and decides to strike first in self-defense. The rationale is to prevent the enemy from attacking first and gaining an advantage. The key idea is that the threat is immediate, and the war is initiated to neutralize that threat before it materializes.
Preventative War: In contrast, a preventative war is waged not because of an imminent threat but because of a perceived potential threat in the future. Countries may engage in preventative wars to stop a rival state from growing too powerful or acquiring capabilities that could pose a threat down the line. Unlike preemptive war, which responds to an immediate danger, preventative war aims to preempt a future danger that is not yet imminent.
What is Protectionism?
Protectionism refers to government policies and measures designed to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. It includes actions such as imposing tariffs, quotas, subsidies, and other trade barriers to protect domestic producers from foreign imports.
What is Monetary Policy?
This refers to the actions taken by a country's central bank (such as the Federal Reserve in the United States) to manage the supply of money, interest rates, and credit in the economy. Monetary policy aims to achieve specific economic objectives, such as controlling inflation, promoting economic growth, or stabilizing the currency
What is the purpose of the United Nations?
Who are the 5 permanent members?
It is the closest thing to a world government that has ever existed. It strengthens world order, its design acknowledges the realities of international anarchy and the unwillingness of states to surrender their sovereignty. The basic purpose is to provide a global institutional structure through which states can sometimes settle conflicts with less reliance on the use of force.
China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and the U.S.
What was the significant of the Versailles Treaty?
Signed after World War I, the Versailles Treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, redrew borders in Europe, and established the League of Nations, marking a pivotal moment in post-war diplomacy and efforts to prevent future conflicts.
According to liberal theory, why are states more likely to engage in free trade?
It permits efficient specialization in goods and services and it is superior to mercantilist trade policies
Before 1800, which European country had the most colonies?
Spain
What is the balance of power theory?
The balance of power theory is a concept in international relations (IR) that describes a state of equilibrium or stability in which no single state or group of states dominates the others, preventing any one entity from becoming too powerful and potentially threatening the others. This can manifest in many ways...
Example:
What is the Montreal Protocol?
The Montreal Protocol is an environmental treaty aimed at phasing out ozone-depleting substances, demonstrating international cooperation to address global environmental challenges
Spiral Model vs. Deterrence Model
The spiral model, also known as the escalation model or spiral of conflict, posits that conflicts between states can escalate due to misperceptions, fear, and security dilemmas.
The Deterrence Model posits that conflicts arise from acts of appeasement made in the false expectation that appeasement will elicit better behavior from the other side, when in fact it elicits worse behavior. Threats of using force by one party can convince another party to refrain from initiating some other course of action
What is Comparative Advantage?
An economic theory that suggests countries should specialize in producing goods or services where they have a lower opportunity cost compared to other countries. This allows for efficient allocation of resources and can lead to mutual gains through international trade based on each country's relative strengths and weaknesses in production.
What is the US Federal Reserve System? What are its goals?
The central banking system of the United States. The Federal Reserve conducts monetary policy, supervises and regulates banks, provides financial services to depository institutions, and plays a key role in maintaining the stability of the US financial system.
The European Union consists of how many institutions? What are they?
7 main institutions
European Parliament (EP): The EP is the directly elected legislative body of the EU. It represents EU citizens and participates in the legislative process, along with the Council of the European Union.
Council of the European Union: Also known as the Council of Ministers, it represents the governments of EU member states. It shares legislative and budgetary authority with the European Parliament and coordinates policies.
European Commission: The Commission is the executive body of the EU. It proposes legislation, implements decisions, manages EU policies and budgets, and represents the EU externally.
European Council: Comprising the heads of state or government of EU member states, along with its President and the President of the European Commission, the European Council sets the EU's political agenda.
Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU): The CJEU interprets EU law to ensure its uniform application across member states. It consists of the Court of Justice, the General Court, and specialized courts.
European Central Bank (ECB): Responsible for monetary policy in the eurozone, the ECB aims to maintain price stability and support economic growth. It issues the euro currency and oversees the eurozone's financial system.
European Court of Auditors (ECA): The ECA audits EU finances to ensure accountability, transparency, and efficient use of EU funds.
Tell us about the Geneva Conventions...
Geneva Conventions (1949) established international humanitarian law, providing protections for civilians, prisoners of war, and wounded combatants during armed conflicts and setting standards for the treatment of non-combatants and detainees
What is Realism?
What is Liberalism?
What is Constructivism?
Realism in international relations is a theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of power, self-interest, and state sovereignty in shaping the behavior of states and the dynamics of the international system.
Liberalism in international relations (IR) is a theoretical perspective that emphasizes cooperation, international institutions, norms, and the promotion of shared values as key factors in shaping international relations.
Constructivism is a theoretical perspective in international relations (IR) that focuses on the role of ideas, norms, beliefs, identities, and social interactions in shaping the behavior of states and the dynamics of the international system
What is Brexit? And why does it matter to IR?
Brexit was the United Kingdom's (UK) decision to leave the European Union (EU).
(Britain and exit)
Overall, Brexit's importance in IR lies in its impact on regional integration, economic relations, political dynamics, security cooperation, global governance, and the evolving landscape of international relations in Europe and beyond. It has triggered debates, uncertainties, opportunities, and challenges that continue to shape the international agenda
What is the The International Whaling Commission (IWC)?
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was established in 1946 by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. Its primary objective is to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of whale populations worldwide
What is prospect theory?
Prospect theory in international relations (IR) is a concept derived from behavioral economics and psychology, specifically the work of Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. It seeks to explain how individuals and states make decisions under conditions of uncertainty, risk, and conflict (evaluate potential gains and losses)
What are the 5 strategies of terrorism?
Attrition
Provocation
Intimidation
Spoiling
Outbidding
What are the 3 stages of modernization theory?
Feudalism: In the context of modernization theory, feudalism represents the initial stage of societal organization. Feudal societies are typically agrarian, with a hierarchical structure where land ownership and power are concentrated among a small elite, such as feudal lords or nobility. Economic activities revolve around agriculture, with peasants working the land in exchange for protection and a share of the produce. Feudal societies are often characterized by limited social mobility, a lack of centralized governance, and a reliance on traditional customs and institutions.
Commercial Stage: The commercial stage marks a transition from feudalism to a more market-oriented economy. This stage is characterized by the growth of trade, commerce, and urban centers. It involves the emergence of a merchant class engaged in commercial activities such as trade, finance, and entrepreneurship. The commercial stage is associated with the development of markets, increased specialization of labor, and the expansion of economic opportunities beyond agriculture. However, traditional social hierarchies and structures may still play a significant role during this stage.
Industrial Revolution: The industrial revolution represents a major leap in modernization theory, marking the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized societies. This stage is characterized by the mechanization of production processes, the growth of factories and urban centers, and the rise of industrial capitalism. Key features of the industrial revolution include technological innovations, mass production, urbanization, and the emergence of new social classes such as the industrial bourgeoisie and the industrial working class. Industrialization leads to significant economic growth, changes in social organization, and shifts in political and cultural dynamics.
Currency appreciates vs currency depreciates
What does this mean? When do they occur?
Currency appreciates when a country's currency increases in value relative to other currencies. It means that one unit of the country's currency can buy more units of another currency than before. Currency appreciation is often influenced by factors such as strong economic growth, high interest rates, political stability, and increased demand for the country's exports. Currency depreciates when a country's currency decreases in value relative to other currencies. In this case, one unit of the country's currency can buy fewer units of another currency. Currency depreciation can result from factors like economic downturns, low-interest rates, political instability, high inflation, and reduced demand for the country's exports.
Explain the following facets of the United Nations...
UN Security Council
UN Secretariat
UN General Assembly
What is the Security Council responsible for?
5 great powers and ten rotating member states make decisions about international peace and security. The security council dispatches peacekeeping forces to trouble spots.
What is the purpose of the UN Secretariat?
-The administration or executive branch. The Secretariat provides administrative support to the various organs of the UN, including the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and other specialized agencies and bodies. This support encompasses organizing meetings, managing documentation, and facilitating communication among member states.
What is the UN General Assembly?
The purpose of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is to serve as a forum for all member states to discuss and address global issues. Some key purposes and functions of the UNGA include. The United Nations General Assembly typically takes place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA
Tell us about the Treaty of Westphalia
Treaty of Westphalia (1648) is often cited as the beginning of modern international relations. The Treaty of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War and established the principles of state sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs, shaping the modern nation-state system.
Describe Morgenthau’s six principles of realism.
Fill in the blank.
Palestine was conquered by ( ) from the ( ) empire at the end of World War I.
Britain, Ottoman
Offensive vs Defensive Realism
Offensive realism, associated with scholars like John Mearsheimer, emphasizes the aggressive and competitive nature of states in pursuing power and security.
Defensive realism, associated with scholars like Kenneth Waltz, focuses on states' efforts to maintain security and survival in a self-help system.
What is the world-system theory? (3 main groups)
Core, Semi-Periphery, and Periphery
It categorizes countries into these three main groups based on their level of economic development and integration into the global economy. The core countries are highly industrialized and dominate the economic system, while the periphery countries are less developed and often provide raw materials and cheap labor. Semi-peripheral countries occupy an intermediate position.
(Nuclear Weapons) Describe the following...
First Strike, Second Strike, Counterforce, & Countervalue.
First Strike
• Attack upon the enemy’s nuclear forces
Second Strike
• Retaliation after absorbing a first strike
Counterforce
• Nuclear weapons designed to attack other side’s
nuclear weapons
Countervalue
• Nuclear weapons designed to attack other side’s cities
Describe the transition from the GATT to the WTO.
The transition from The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) occurred in 1995 with the establishment of the WTO as a more comprehensive and institutionalized body governing international trade. The WTO expanded its scope to cover services, intellectual property, and dispute settlement mechanisms, among other areas.
Mercantilism vs Economic Liberalism
Mercantilism is an economic theory and policy approach that emphasizes a nation's accumulation of wealth, usually through trade surpluses, acquisition of gold and silver, and protectionist measures like tariffs and subsidies. It views international trade as a zero-sum game where one country's gain is seen as another's loss, and advocates for state intervention to promote exports and limit imports.
Economic Liberalism also known as Free Trade or part of Liberal Internationalism, is an economic philosophy and policy approach that advocates for minimal government intervention in markets, free movement of goods, services, and capital across borders, and the removal of trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas. It promotes competition, efficiency, comparative advantage, and global economic integration, emphasizing the benefits of open markets and international cooperation.