Chapter 1 Thinking and Caring About World Politics

Who is a Part of International Relations? Independent, sovereign states (same as the term “country” for purposes of this class) Nearly 200 states in the international system today Anarchical international system: a system where there is no higher authority over the sovereign states

Who? International Governmental Organizations (IGOs): international organization made up of states (examples: United Nations and European Union); roughly 300+ Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs): organizations that cross country boundaries (examples: churches and multinational corporations; innumberable

Who? Leaders Protestors Politicians Businesses Special Interests Political parties

Structure of Text World Politics is at a cross-roads Traditional route of competition and conflict vs. the alternative route of cooperation How foreign policy is made (individual human, state, and system level)

Importance of International Relations 1.Money 2.Trade 3.Economic Balance 4.Financial Markets 5.Defense and Safety 6.Environment 7.Human Rights

World Politics & You World population puts pressure on all previously mentioned issues Transnational diseases Violence

Ways to Influence International Relations 1.Direct Actions: Consumer boycotts, protests, etc. 2.Voting for Candidates: who gets elected definitely influences policy 3.Direct voting: more common in other countries (European Union) 4.Become a policymaker

Realism Realism: political theory with those who prescribe to the idea that the world is and should be following the traditional road (other terms for this: realpolitick, balance of power, nationalism, state- centric)

Realism Pessimistic by nature Little political trust Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan) Neorealists focus on anarchic nature of world system based on competition.

Realism Emphasis on Power Results because of national interest struggles See policy as Darwinian in nature

Liberalism Liberalism: political theory where some believe the world is beginning to go on a new course (other terms: liberal institutionalism, idealist, globalism, cosmopolitan and internationalist)

Liberalism More positive in nature Reject idea of political predators though they recognize that difficulties do exist Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract) Neoliberals believe conflict occurs because of competition in an anarchical world system

Liberalism Believe policies can be based on ethics and principles Dismiss idea that pursuing ethical policy often works against nation’s interests