Introduction Course International Relations (GE2V20001)
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Universiteit Utrecht (UU)
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Global Politics in the 21st Century
This document consists a detailed summary of Jackson (2013) "Global politics in the 21st Century" chapter 1 to 11 + 14.
+ Notes from lectures and seminars from the course: Introduction course International Relations, for the minor International relations.
Introduction Course International Relations (GE2V20001)
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GE2V20001 Preparations, lectures & Seminars K. den Boestert [2381796]
Notes on:
Introduction Course International
Relations
Aim of the Course: acquiring a good level of knowledge and understanding
of IR theories and their intellectual history, as well as key episodes of the
diplomatic history that have informed IR theory and the study of
international history.
Individual Paper: the profile of a leader- Deadline on Friday 22 March,
17.00 hrs.
Exam on Location: closed-book exam on Wednesday 27 March, 17.00 –
20.00 hrs.
Week 1: Foundations of Global Politics (I)
Lecture: Introduction to Global Politics and History
Three important concepts in global politics:
(1)Globalization
Integration between states around the globe, through increasing
communication, trade, transportation – reduces the size of the world –
impact on the power of states – transnational organizations, not
identified with a state they originate from, they can become powerful,
have more power than some countries. Globalization does not affect all
the countries and states the same – unequal distribution of resources
(2)Security
Old security concerns; how states can maintain their security, bipolar
systems, two large super powers (Cold War – East vs. West). reflected
the idea that a state increasing security (strengthen military) will feel
more security, resulting in an arm race and eventually a balance of
power.
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Old security dilemma: increasing your own security, will result in
others increasing their security, but not increasing your security will
leave you vulnerable.
New security concerns:
international impacts (example; covid-19, environmental issues) –
transnational dangers. Most conflicts since the cold war have been
internal conflicts weaking the state and creating security issues for the
state and surrounding states, creating an imbalance of power
New security dilemma: Huge army may not counter these
transnational dangers, you can not only defend yourself. NATO first
seemed irrelevant, but after Russia invading Ukraine changed the
discourse, now resulting in states investing in military again.
(3)States
= A political unit of an entire territory. Most of them establishes after
WOII, after a large number of states were decolonized. From 65 to 206
(2024) states.
Sovereignty = control over territory, political authority, recognized
internationally, non-intervention = shifting concept , there is an
increasing belief that you are allowed to interfere, for example
humanitarian objectives.
States are under pressure ( it is challenging but not yet absolute):
There are many more nation than states, nation are within boundaries,
but also across boundaries > right of self-determination, impacting the
decolonization, now adays agitating to sub-state groupings demanding
to break away from a state. Not very long ago in Catalonia in Spain for
example.
Globalization becomes a threat to state sovereignty, you cannot isolate
yourself, and have obligations to international agreements, for
example EU. International influences undermining state’s authority’s.
Global History:
.
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5 great civilizations: Persia, China, India, Greece and Rome. = regional
powers. There was already trades going on, exchange of goods, ideas, but
limited transportation.
Through history you see the centralization of security
China: authority stems from a central source of power – the dynasty’s
--
Religion became really intertwined wilt politics (Holy Roman Empire)
--
One of the big turning points in international relations: treaty of Westphalia
(1648), ended the thirty years of war, they recognize the modern state
system and recognize the self regulation of balance of power , based on the
idea of self-restrained– no longer subject to authority, but became their own
sovereign powers. State recognizing the authority of other states. Selr-
restrained of dominant ambitions.
Around the same time: Imperialism – treaty of Tordesillas (1492 –
division of Spain and Portugal dividing the World, signed by the Pope)
reflecting the power of Portugal and Spain in this time of history. ->
Important compared to ancient times being more regional, now the empires
became global.
Generated by the idea of mercantilism, encouraging exports, increasing
import > industrial revolution, due to resources from somewhere else,
stimulating this new global system ending up with a triangular trade [ From
Europe to Africa – Africa to New World – New World – Europe] imperialism
resulted in the rest of the world being pushed into (they had no choice) into
the global systems of the West.
àWars & Revolution. Treaty of Utrecht ending the great colonial power of
Spain. Question the idea of power coming from one source, the monarch. >
the influence of the people becoming more important & nationalism.
---
Collective Hegemony
Congress of Vienna (1815) self restrained ( westphalia) was very important,
but was pushed aside by the French Revolution (Napoleon). Concert of
Europe, establishing peace, to maintain the balance of power en setting rule
for collective hegemony, a collective responsibility.
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New Imperialism : scrambling for Africa (Berlin conference) end of the 19th
century 85% of Africa was colonized by European powers.
Loss of colonial territories, for example, south America, away from the
Spanish & Portuguese powers > Independence wars. End of the 19th century
rise of a new super power > America( claiming Hawaii – Spanish/America war
over Cuba 1898) > important turning point where you see the US coming up
as a global power giving the final blow to the Spanish empire ( New Imperial
Power).
Phenomenon of Alliances, concept Europe starts to fall apart , making new
alliances to contain security, populating idea of nationalism.
After WOI > American alliance system weakening. Idea we need to end all
the wars. League of Nations, American president W. Wilson (not realistic)
collective security vs balance of power.
Collective security after WOII: Bretton Woods System (1944), United Nations
(1945) – Decolonization. – democracy was also an important factor.
Superpowers & Cold War: after WOII euphoric feelings, but quickly after
tensions started to rise again between USA and Soviet Union ( USSR) –
bipolar tension – Marschall Plan (1948)– Comecon ( 1949)- NATO (1949)-
Warsaw Pact (1955) à (nuclear) arms race creating a balance of power.
Literature:
Chapter 1. Introduction
.
This book challenges the reader to study, understand, and evaluate power,
and evaluate power and responsibility in global politics.- It covers the
foundations of the discipline of international relations from a global
perspective.
Global Politics = a dynamic, messy, constantly evolving phenomenon. -
Intermestic (glocal) issues = they are simultaneously, domestic and
transnational.
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Global system= refers to the broad network of relations among states and
the activities of their citizens and nonstate institutions in the world. It
patterns the behavior of states and nongovernmental actors.
Foreign policy= It depicts state or government behavior that has external
ramifications, including diplomatic and military relations among states.
Foreign policy is at the forefront of the study of global politics, but
understanding foreign policy requires one to look beyond his or her own
state borders, to consider the world as a whole. – to comprehend foreign
policy and global politics it is necessary to interpret the changing world.
Globalization = the integration of states and people
through increasing contact, communication, and trade
that binds the world together.
- new form of globalization: current issues concern
not only the existence of globalization as a process
but also its rapid development and its impact on
state power. Two sides of critics on this new form:
o Globalization has taken on a life of its own –
creates new institutions.
o Globalization is a positive force for good,
creating “a world society and culture”
- The process has, and will continue to have,
divergent effects in different countries and also on
peace and war.
- Over time, this process is having an important
impact on sovereignty. Today, no country can be a
gated community – the increasing
interdependence of states through contact,
communication, and trade is impinging on the
domestic affairs of states, their government, and
politics.
- Technological advances in communications and
transportation have reduced the size of the world
in real terms and revolutionized the patterns of
interaction between countries and individuals.
Globalization: Components, Causes and Criticisms:
5
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