Chapter 18
International Politics
International Politics
Also known as global politics
Politics conducted among states and not intrastate
The World Since the Cold War and
Communism
The set of actors on the world stage has expanded and
become more diverse
The interdependence of states has grown immensely
The intense rivalry between the former Soviet Union and
the U.S. has dissipated
The World Since the Cold War and
Communism
More open markets (since mid-1980s) creating more
similarities in characteristics of different states
Late 1990s, a body of international law—International
Criminal Court--began to develop (but remember there is no
international police so it is only as effective as states want it
to be)
Power and International Politics
A state’s military power determines its overall
power on the world stage
Mass of population can translate into power
Economic importance can influence role in
international politics
Geography (protection of natural boundaries,
location of resources) influences
Skilled leaderhip influences
Diplomacy
The art or practice of conducting international
relations, as in negotiating alliances, treaties, and
agreements
Consulates
Often a smaller office to the state's main
representation in a foreign country, nowadays usually
an Embassy
Local office to represent a state in major cities
Handle small scale transactions (PR, handling visitor
issues)
Ambassadors
The officials charged by their states to conduct high
level politics with the state to which they are posted
Gather information about the state which they are
posted
Economic Sanctions
A form of nonmilitary coercion often used by the U.S.
Withholding normal economic relations to punish a
state
War
1.
2.
3.
Nonpeaceful way to conduct international relations
Causes of war complex
Nationalism
Transitions
Misperceptions of leaders
Terrorism
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use of violent acts against civilians in order to
accomplish political goals
Terrorism likely used:
Better tactics not available
Object of attack can be portrayed as “other”
Object of attack not seem as legitimate
Govt issues tough counterterrorism attacks
Among democracies b/c responses usually
softer
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