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