Chapter 1: Introducing Global Politics

Chapter 1: Introducing Global Politics

over an increasing range of issues, states interact with one another in conditions of global interdependence, they nevertheless remain the key actors on the world stage state: a political association that enjoys sovereign jurisdiction within defined territorial borders.the most significant changes in world politics -the emergence of new actors -the growth of interdependence and interconnectedness -the erosion of the domestic/ international divide -the rise of global governance although most modern states are either nation states or aspire to be nation states, it is their possession of statehood rather than nationhood that allows them to act effectively on the world stage.qualifying properties of a state -a defined territory -a permanent population -an effective government -the capacity to enter into relations with other states state centric: an approach to political analysis that takes the state to be the key actor in the domestic realm and on the world stage state system: a pattern of relationships between and amongst states that establishes a measure of order and predictability state sovereignty is one of the primary organizing principles of international politics.However, states are no longer the only actors on the world stage.mixed actor model: the theory that , while not ignoring the role of states and national governments, international politics is shaped by a much broader range of interests and groups International politics is oriented mainly around issues of war and peace with diplomacy and possibly military interaction being the principal form of state interaction, based on the distribution of power among states → billboard model security: the be safe from harm, the absence of threats; security might be understood in national, international global or human terms diplomacy: a process of negotiation and communication between states that seeks to resolve conflict without resource to war; an instrument of foreign policy 1 / 4

interdependence is by no means always associated with trends towards peace, cooperation and integration. Interdependence may be asymmetrical rather than symmetrical in which it can lead to domination and conflict rather than peace and harmony.borders and boundaries matter. this can especially be seen in the division between domestic and international politics, in that sense, sovereignty is a hard shell which divides the inside of politics from the outside. An emphasis on borders and clear territorial division has however come under pressure as a result of recent trends and developments, not least those associated with globalization globalization: the emergence of a complex web of interconnectedness that means that our lives are increasingly shaped by events that occur and decisions that are made at a great distance from us transnationalism: political, social, economic or other forms that transcend or cut across national borders However, claims that the modern world is effectively borderless are manifestly absurd and, in some ways, territorial divisions are becoming more important, not less important → stronger homeland security and attitudes against migration anarchy: literally without rule; the absence of a central government or higher authority sometimes, but not necessarily associated with instability and chaos self help: a reliance on internal or inner resources, often seen as the principal reason states prioritize survival and security.balance of power: a condition in which no state predominates over others, tending to create general equilibrium and curb the hegemonic ambitions of all states if international politics operates as a self help system, the power seeking inclinations of one state are only tempered by competing tendencies in other states, suggesting that war and conflict are inevitable features of the international system.international organizations reflect the fact that states are increasingly confronted by collective dilemmas, issues that are particularly taxing because they confound even the most powerful states when acting alone.globality: a totally interconnected whole, such as the global economy; the end state of globalization globalism: an ideological project committed to the spread of globalization, usually reflecting the support for the values and theories of free market capitalism

• ways of interpreting globalizations

-economic globalization → from national economies to a single global economy -cultural globalization → information, commodities and images enter a global flow that tends to flatten out cultural differences 2 / 4

-political globalization: making responsibilities has passed national governments to international organizations

• positions towards globalization

-hyperglobalism:the view that new, globalized economicand cultural patterns became inevitable once technology such as computerized financial trading ,satellite communications, mobile phones and internet became widely available -globalization as a profound, revolutionary set of economic, technological, cultural and political shifts that have intensified since the 1980s -sceptists -portray globalization as a fantasy and dismiss the idea of an integrated global economy -transformalists -offer a middle road view of globalization -accepting that profound changes have taken place in the patterns and processes of world politics without it's established or traditional features having been swept away altogether -much has changed but not everything major transformations in world politics -the breadth of interconnectedness has not only stretched across national borders, but also potentially across the globe → possible developments into a single worldwide system -the intensity of interconnectedness has increased with increasing magnitude of transborder or even transworld activities -interconnectedness has speeded up the two mainstream perspectives on global politics are realism and liberalism. both are grounded in positivism and share similar concerns and address similar issues positivism: the theory that social and indeed allforms of inquiry should conform to the methods of the natural sciences the core balance of both liberalism and realism is the balance between conflict and cooperation in state relations. Realists generally place greater emphasis on conflict and liberalists on cooperation power politics: an approach to politics based on the assumption that the pursuit of power is the principal human goal, the term is sometimes used descriptively internationalism: the theory of practise of politics based on cooperation or harmony among nations, as opposed to the transcendence of national politics.

assumptions of realism:

-human nature is characterized by greed and selfishness -politics is a domain of human actibity structured by power and coercion -states are key global actors -states pursue self interest and survival prioritizing security above anything else 3 / 4

-states operate in an context of anarchy and rely on self help -global order is structured by the distribution of power among states -the balance of power is the principal means of ensuring stability and avoiding war -ethical considerations are irrelevant to the conduct of foreign policy assumptions of liberalism -human beings are rational and moral creatures -history is a progressive process, characterized by a growing respect of international cooperation and peace -mixed actor models of global politica are more realistic than state centric ones -trade and economic interdependence make war less likely -international law helps promote order and fosters rule governed based behavior among states -democracy is inherently peaceful, particularly in reducing the likelihood of war between democratic states since the late 1980s, the range of critical approaches to world affairs has expanded considerably. Each of them seeks to uncover inequalities and asymmetries that mainstream theories tend to ignore, however the attention is many and various -neo marxists -constructivism → people construct the world in which they live -poststructuralists→ all ideas and concepts are expressed in language which itself is enmeshed in complex relations of power -feminists → gender inequality -postcolonialism → cultural dimension of colonial rule -green politics all forms of politics are about power

hegemon: a leading paramount power

globalization may have made power more diffuse and intangible, increasing the influence of global markets and drawing states into a web of economic interdependence that substantially restricts their freedom of manoeuvre security is the deepest and most abiding issue in politics. permanent insecurity between and amongst states is therefore the inescapable lot of those who live in a condition of anarchy.international security: conditions in which the mutual survival and safety of states is secured through measures taken to prevent or punish aggression, usually within a rule governed international order security regime; a framework of cooperation amongst states and other actors to ensure the peaceful resolution of conflict the growth of interconnectedness and interdependence has extended thinking about morality in world affairs, particularly through an increasing emphasis on the notion of global or cosmopolitan justice.

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