Political Science 10:
Introduction to International Relations
Trends
Actors
Perspectives
Concepts
International Relations or
International Politics
†International Relations – refers to
relations among states.
„ Political
„ Social
„ Economic
„ Cultural
„Other interactions
†International Politics – focuses on
choices made by actors with authority
to decide on issues external to states
or that cross boundaries of state
jurisdiction.
World or Global Politics
† Both terms are the same, are favored by
those who emphasize the multidimensional
or pluralist nature of IR today, which include
states, international and nongovernmental,
transnational organizations, other groups,
and individuals.
† The focus is on the physical security of the
state, and environmental, human rights, and
demographic issues.
Key Terms and Trends
† Globalization - refers to increased
interactions across state boundaries.
† Interdependence - refers to a situation
where actions in one part of the world
affect people in other parts of the
world.
While interdependence is not a new phenomenon, global
interdependence is. Examples are found in the economic realm by
multinational corporations, such as Microsoft; in the social realm
by rapid information technology, such as cable news and satellite
television; and in the strategic realm by intercontinental missiles
and other weapons of mass destruction.
Key Terms and Trends
† Crisis of Authority – refers to a loss of
legitimacy on the part of a government
or other actor. A result may be the
breakdown of order as people refuse to
follow the order of those who claim to
be in positions of authority.
Authority simply means that someone has a legitimate right to
lead. Along with global interdependence, an increase in ethnic
conflict and cynicism about the role of leaders is leading to a
weakening of leaders' ability to be authoritative.
Globalization Crises of Authority
SECURITY
ECONOMY
IDENTITY
STATES
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
TRANSNATIONAL
(NONGOVERNMENTAL)
ORGANIZATIONS AND MOVEMENTS
INDIVIDUALS
International Relations & World
Politics
† Three important concepts:
„ Security - the protection and survival of the
state.
„ Economy – deals with monetary issues such as
production and consumption of goods.
„ Identity - answers the question "Who am I?“
† These three issues are the principle
issues in world politics as well as
individuals' lives.
ACTORS
† States – geographic entities "governed
by a central authority, whose leaders
claim to represent all persons within its
territory."
States are traditionally seen as the most important actors in
world politics. States possess military power, and while there are
often struggles for power within a state, the state never goes
away.
Key Terms and Topics
† International Organization (IOs or
IGOs) - also play a role in global
politics. IOs are groups created by two
or more states in order to achieve a
common goal. Examples of IOs:
„ the United Nations
„ NATO.
IOs have drastically increased in number over the past 100
years. There is debate over whether IOs simply pursue state
interests or whether they have interests of their own. Their main
importance is in the establishment of global norms, or values
that states take seriously.
Key Terms and Topics
† Transnational nongovernmental
Organizations (NGOs) - also play a role
in international politics. NGOs are made
up of non-state actors that cross
international borders.
„ Four categories of NGOs:
† multinational corporations (such as Microsoft)
† NGOs with political agendas (such as Amnesty
International)
† NGOs that avoid political roles (Doctors
without Borders)
† and terrorists and criminal networks.
Key Terms and Topics
† INDIVIDUALS.
„ Individual human beings make a
difference:
†
†
†
†
Mahatma Gandhi in India
Nelson Mandela in South Africa
Osama bin Laden
Chiefs of State, i.e. current and former
presidents, prime ministers, dictators
„ Individuals, not States, decide to go to war
or engage in genocide.
Images in World Politics
† Three main images in international
relations are realism, liberalism
(pluralism), and economic
structuralism.
„ Realism has been the dominant image in world
politics throughout most of history.
„ Realists view the world as naturally conflictual.
„ Competition is a key part of the international
system. Although realists recognize IOs and
NGOs, they still view the state as key, ultimately
controlling all other actors.
„ The idea of anarchy, or lack of a superior power,
is very important to realism.
Images in World Politics
„ Pluralists view the world as a variety of actors.
„ States are key actors, but others are also
influential.
„ Global civil society is a term that describes the
interaction of states and other actors in a nonconflictual manner.
„ Economic Structuralism focus on relations of
dominance in society in the form of economic
structures, national or global.
† Together, these three images provide a
framework for looking at global politics
and asking questions about the
international system.
Images in World Politics
† Together, these images provide a
framework for looking at global politics
and asking questions about the
international system.
† Other views of the international
system:
„ The English School
„ Social Constructivism
„ Feminism
International Relations Glossary List:
† Anarchy
† Autarky
† Normative Theory
† Sovereignty
Concepts in International Relations:
† Levels of analysis
„ Individual Level
„ Group Level
„ State & Societal Level
„ International Level
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
1. Which of the following is NOT a
level of analysis discussed in the
book?
A.
B.
C.
D.
international
societal
psychological
individual
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
2. Which of the following is NOT an
international organization?
A.
B.
C.
D.
NATO
United Nations
World Health Organization
Greenpeace
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
3. Which of the following terms best
describes Amnesty International?
A.
B.
C.
D.
none of these answers
nongovernmental organization
international organization
multinational corporation
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
4. Anarchy as used in international
politics is best defined as
A.
B.
C.
D.
cooperation amongst equal states.
an unequal distribution of power.
the lack of a central authority.
chaos.
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
5. Which of the following is
traditionally considered the most
important in studying
international relations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
states
individuals
armies
alliances
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
6. Interactions between actors and
their environments is a key part
of which perspective of
international relations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
economic structuralism
realism
liberal internationalism
social constructivism
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
7. Which of the following does NOT
lead to interdependence?
A.
B.
C.
D.
trade integration
military technology
autarky
satellite news
Assessment – How much do you
understand?
8. Which level of analysis is most
important from the pluralist
perspective?
A.
B.
C.
D.
group
state
international
individual
Key Terms and Topics
There is some linkage between the concepts of crises
of authority and interdependence.
†Less-developed countries tend to get left
behind in global economic
interdependence.
†Interdependence is not felt equally
around the world. Also, the spread of
information leads to dissatisfaction.
As individuals in poorer countries hear about the wealth and
success of the United States and other developed states, crisis of
authority takes hold.