International Cooperation Anarchy – No central authority outside of states to require or enforce cooperation Cooperation can be military, economic, other National interests: Some common interests, some interests may be in competition or conflict Cooperation requires Positive sum mentality (vs zero-sum) Potential for greater rewards/gains if cooperate Communication mechanism Not TOO many countervaling interests

Stag Hunt: What’s the Rational Choice Cooperate with other cavemen & hunt the stag? If all cooperate, all get lots of meat If even one defects to go after a rabbit on his own, the rest get nothing (stag gets away) Defect and go for the rabbit? Definite source of a little meat What will the other hunters do? Can you trust them and will they trust you? What is the risk? Pursue immediate short-term self interest or is there a basis for long-term common interest?

Consider the Caveman’s Options In addition to food, needs security against bears Similar benefits and risks as with Stag Hunt Cooperate with other cavemen & fight bear? If all cooperate (a few guard, all rally to fight bear): All are generally safer, can sleep better But each risk death in fighting bear If even one guard defects to go sleep or hide, the rest may get eaten Or do you defect and go hide or sleep? Definite short term safety (assuming bear goes into someone else’s cave)

Consider the Caveman’s Options II What will the other cavemen do? Can you trust them and will they trust you? What is the risk? Pursue immediate short-term self interest or is there a basis for long-term common interest? Options: Wait until bear shows up, then try to rally (Coalition) Agree ahead of time that if bear appears, all will rally to fight it (Collective Security) Subset of cavemen form a tribe (maybe on basis of who feels most threatened), organize a guard, practice to fight bear (Alliance or Collective Defense)

Security Cooperation: Coalitions Ad Hoc group formed to cooperate in fighting a specific conflict Both 1991 and 2003 Persian Gulf wars against Iraq were fought by coalitions, formed just for those conflicts Everything may have to be done on the fly, procedures and agreements made up as the operation progresses Minimal chance for partners to practice together Language, equipment and cultural differences may be a problem

Cooperation: Collective Security Any aggression must be met by all as a matter of law enforcement League of Nations, United Nations (somewhat) Limitations: Requires some agreement on what to do Enforces status quo rather than address injustice Members may promise action but not deliver Takes time to put together operation for each event Not as flexible or fast as a unilateral response Small conflict can escalate as more join operation Free Rider problem

Cooperation: Collective Defense Formal Alliances for long term threat Attack against one by outsider is attack against all All may have to agree on HOW to respond NATO, World War I alliances Big investment Develop combined procedures, communications, weapons standards Practice together Requires sizable military expenditures May have free rider problem If threat changes, alliance may falter

Economic Cooperation Trade agreements such as NAFTA or WTO Producer Cartels such as OPEC Financial institutions such as World Bank International Monetary Fund Health: WHO Communications: How to divide the electronic spectrum

World Government? Discussed many times Has some benefits Seems unlikely that world actors such as states would all give up their sovereignty to such a body Cultures differ: Democracy vs Authoritarianism Significant trust needed. High stakes stag hunt? United Nations? A federation?

UN Charter and Legal Use of Force Charter authorizes force under three conditions: Unilaterally in self-defense: US Afghanistan in 2001 Multilaterally if authorized by UN Security Council “to maintain or restore international peace & security” Multilaterally by regional collective defense action to aid alliance member in self-defense: NATO & Afghanistan Preserves each state’s sovereignty Does not legalize intervention in civil wars or humanitarian/human rights problems unless State authorizes OR UN Security Council feels conflict will spread

United Nations General Assembly: All members have a vote 2/3 majority for budget, big issues Elects members to bodies and commissions Security Council (15 members) Maintain international peace & security Permanent Members (5) can veto resolutions, need 9 Military activity rare No military of its own; Requires member contributions Korea was UN action: UNCMAC still there today 1991 Gulf War was UN authorized, but not UN action Frequently paralyzed during Cold War or over Israel Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping – A Misnomer? Consensual between warring parties with a truce Not to take sides. Provides “honest broker” to: Lessen surprise, slow an attack Act as tripwire for other nations’ involvement Defends self only Does not impose or enforce peace Examples Egypt & Israel 1956-1967, 1975 to today US in Lebanon 1983 Somalia 1993 Bosnia 1990s