POSC 1000 Introduction to Politics

Russell Alan Williams

Unit Nine: International Politics and Foreign Policy (March 25 and 27) Required Reading:

11 and 12. MacLean and Wood, Chapters

Outline:

1.

Introduction 2.

3.

4.

5.

How do we study IP – Units How do we study IP – Theories The Practice of IP – Diplomacy, War and Terror Conclusion

1) Introduction:

“

International Politics/Relations

international relations.

“domestic politics” borders.

” international law and Multilateralism?

international law and Multilateralism?

: The study of foreign policy and relations among states and other actors at the international level; also called Specialized subfield of political science that focuses on “global politics” or the relations between states, rather than Key goal: Understand state’s “Foreign Policy”: Foreign diplomatic relations and policies of a country beyond its • Eg. Why is Canadian “Foreign Policy” committed to • Eg. Should Canadian “Foreign Policy” committed to

“

International Politics/Relations

” Makes two key assumptions: “Sovereignty”: Recognition by other states that a government is legitimate and rightful for a political community.

• States are free to do what they like within their borders . . . maybe . . .

• International politics is constituted by independent autonomous units, without a “leviathan”, or authoritative system of international government Levels of Analysis: International politics is just different than other kinds of politics – the absence of government at the international level means domestic and international politics are separate fields • Though they are highly interrelated . . . .

2)How do we study IP - Units:

International Politics focuses on different “units of analysis” . . . .

“Units of Analysis”: Entities studied in politics Most political science focuses on individual behavior International politics focuses on organizations The “State”: Recognized political unit, considered to be sovereign, with a defined territory and people and a central government responsible for administration.

States operate in “Structural Anarchy”: No higher authority exists in international politics.

= No rules (?) and “self help” = Focus on “relative power”: Method of distinguishing the strength of different actors in the international system

“Units of Analysis”: Entities studied in politics “International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)”: Institutions formed by three or more countries with a common economic, social, cultural or political purpose.

E.g. “Multilateralism”: Coordination and integration of foreign policy strategies. • Usually assumes a high level of support for international institutions .

E.g. The United Nations (UN) E.g. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

“Units of Analysis”: Entities studied in politics “Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs)”: Non profit groups organized on a local, national, or international basis.

Thought to be growing in importance E.g. Amnesty International “Multinational Corporations(MNCs)”: Corporations that operate in more than one country.

Definitely becoming more powerful . . . .

E.g. Exxon-Mobil • Worth over $400bn • Revenue of $420bn • Over 100,000 employees • Operations in most countries

3)How do we study IP - Theories:

There are many different “theories” about what matters in international politics, and why states choose the foreign policies they do . . . .

Traditional approach = Realism vs. Liberalism

Realism: Tradition in international thought that focuses on

the pursuit of power, the absence of rules and states’ struggle to survive in a dangerous world.

Key foreign policy goals should be based on “Realpolitik”: States should be pragmatic, rather than principled and practice “balance of power” politics.

• E.g. Prevent others from gaining power that allows them to dominate system • E.g. Era of U.S. “Hegemony” will be short lived

Realism:

Contemporary Approach = “Neo-Realism”: Idea that international structure makes it hard for states to cooperate.

• E.g. “Security Dilemma”: States are inherently threatened by the existence of other states.

– Or, states’ security efforts are inherently threatening to others.

• E.g. “Zero Sum Game”: Idea that international politics is an environment where whatever one side of an issue gains, must be lost by the other side. – Both sides cannot gain.

The Liberal Approach:

Liberal theory in international politics tends to emphasize the idea that international institutions and international cooperation can make everyone “better off”. Contemporary Approach = “Liberal Institutionalism”: International politics theory that suggests that international institutions make cooperation and rule following more likely amongst states.

• Overcomes “structural anarchy” by encouraging states to obey international law and not cheat.

• Is most clearly illustrated in “Positive Sum” situations: “Positive Sum” games allow both sides to gain.

– E.g. Free Trade, and economic cooperation

IP has traditionally been seen as a debate between realism’s “lack of principles” and liberalism’s “idealism” . . . .

E.g. Woodrow Wilson and the League of Nations Did not prevent World War II, but did start the process of making interstate war less likely (?)

E.g. The United Nations and Collective Security/State Sovereignty Post 1945 UN Charter makes it illegal for states invade other states without UN approval • Also very, very illegal to annex territory of other states But powerful states do not always follow the rules . . . .

• US invasion of Iraq (2003) • Russian invasion of Crimea (2014) Again, realists and liberals see different lessons in these events . . .

Debate over the effectiveness of international institutions in improving cooperation continues . . . But there are other views in international politics.

A range of “critical theories” argue that the focus on “states” and “power” ignore real problems of international politics.

• Hunger, violence, poverty etc.

E.g. Recent increased focus on “Human Security”

4) The Practice of Intern. Politics

The study of international politics tends to focus on certain types of activities . . . .

a) “Diplomacy”: International negotiation and discussions that take place on an official – and sometimes unofficial – level between and among states.

Diplomacy may involve: • “Negotiation” • “Mediation” • “Arbitration” • Sanctions • “Peacekeeping”

Diplomacy inherently involves the attempt to change the behavior of others . . . which requires the application of power . . . .

Diplomatic power can come from many sources: Military strength State size and wealth Natural resources Content of international law Reputation E.g. In the Crimean dispute, Russia is relying on its military power and control over Europe’s energy supplies to get its way.

Canadian diplomats aspire to be a great power on the global stage, but is Canada “powerful”?

Canada is economically dependent on access to the large US market – this is the key concern in Canadian foreign policy.

Military strength?

State size and wealth?

Natural resources?

Content of international law?

Reputation?

E.g. Canada’s commitment to “Multilateralism” and “liberal institutionalism” are a product of its political weakness in relation to the US.

The study of international politics tends to focus on certain types of activities . . . .

b) “War”: The use of armed forces in conflict with an enemy.

Sometimes seen as the last resort of international political processes, major international efforts have focused on making war illegal.

E.g. Just war tradition at centre of international law suggests war is only legitimate if it meets certain criteria • Self protection • Enforcement of UN resolution – E.g. “Humanitarian intervention”: Prevention of human and social crisis.

• Proper conduct – no targeting of innocent non combatants All other resort to the use of war as political strategy are illegal!

It happens but even the perpetrators try to mask the illegality

c) State sponsored “Terrorism”: Strategy of violence designed to bring about political change by instilling fear in the public at large.

For conventional international thought, “terrorism” is illegal and illegitimate – in involves the deliberate targeting on non combatants.

However, many argue that this rests on a particular global order that protects the power and violence of some at the expense of others.

• E.g. International law is “illegitimate”

5) Conclusions

The study of international politics is treated separately from other kinds of political processes International politics involves: Different actors?

The absence of “government” in the formal sense?

Competing and contradictory theoretical claims?

However, understanding most modern political events requires attention to both domestic and international political processes.

7) For next time:

Unit Ten: Globalization and Political Economy (April 1 and 3) Required Reading:

and 14. MacLean and Wood, Chapters 13