posc 2200 - introduction russell alan williams department of political science

POSC 2200 - IntroductionPOSC 2200 - Introduction

Russell Alan WilliamsRussell Alan Williams

Department of Political ScienceDepartment of Political Science

POSC 2200 - IntroductionPOSC 2200 - Introduction Required Reading:Required Reading:

Globalization of World PoliticsGlobalization of World Politics, Introduction & Chapters 1-5. , Introduction & Chapters 1-5. Thucydides, Thucydides, Melian DialogueMelian Dialogue

Outline:Outline:1.1. What is International Politics?What is International Politics?2.2. International Society and World OrderInternational Society and World Order3.3. Key Contemporary IssuesKey Contemporary Issues

The End of the The End of the ““Cold WarCold War”” GlobalizationGlobalization New Security threatsNew Security threats

4.4. Theories – Intro: The Theories – Intro: The Melian DialogueMelian Dialogue5.5. For next time . . .For next time . . .

1) What is 1) What is ““International PoliticsInternational Politics””?? Concept has evolved over time . . . . two meanings:Concept has evolved over time . . . . two meanings:

a) Traditional = a) Traditional = ““International RelationsInternational Relations”” (IR) (IR) Relations among statesRelations among states

-Focus on great power -Focus on great power ““diplomacydiplomacy”” and strategy and strategy Little role for other kinds of phenomenonLittle role for other kinds of phenomenon

-E.g. Economic -E.g. Economic ““globalisationglobalisation””

b) Contemporary = b) Contemporary = ““global or international politicsglobal or international politics”” Wider phenomena seen as part of Wider phenomena seen as part of ““international politicsinternational politics””

-E.g. Newer security concerns – -E.g. Newer security concerns – ““terrorismterrorism””-E.g. People-E.g. People’’s daily lives . . . .s daily lives . . . .

Remakes IR - Includes all daily global politicsRemakes IR - Includes all daily global politics

Includes the study of relations among all actors Includes the study of relations among all actors that participate in international politics:that participate in international politics:

StatesStates International OrganizationsInternational Organizations

““United NationsUnited Nations”” (UN) (UN) Non Governmental Organizations (NGONon Governmental Organizations (NGO’’s)s)

Greenpeace Greenpeace Al Qaeda Al Qaeda ““Multinational CorporationsMultinational Corporations”” (MNCs) (MNCs)

Requires attention to:Requires attention to: Domestic PoliticsDomestic Politics EconomicsEconomics CultureCulture GeographyGeography

However, be sensitive to the way However, be sensitive to the way ““international international relationsrelations”” is used . . . . is used . . . .

Some (re: the Some (re: the ““old menold men”” of the discipline) mean of the discipline) mean interstate relationsinterstate relations

Some (re: Some (re: ““wacky leftieswacky lefties””) mean ) mean global politicsglobal politics

Note: Where does our textbook fit?Note: Where does our textbook fit?

The study of International Politics is divided into The study of International Politics is divided into several subfields:several subfields:

International SecurityInternational Security International Political EconomyInternational Political Economy International RelationsInternational Relations International OrganizationInternational Organization International LawInternational Law Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

2) International Society & World Order2) International Society & World Order

International politics is as old as civilization, but International politics is as old as civilization, but our modern understandings have been shaped by our modern understandings have been shaped by a particular a particular ““modernmodern”” period of European history period of European history

The The ““Westphalian SystemWestphalian System”” – a product of the – a product of the ““Peace of WestphaliaPeace of Westphalia””

Context?Context?

Peace of Westphalia established three key Peace of Westphalia established three key principles governing international politics:principles governing international politics:

a) Territoriality = States controlled particular a) Territoriality = States controlled particular geographiesgeographies

b) b) ““SovereigntySovereignty”” = Only one = Only one ““sovereign authoritysovereign authority”” is is recognized as governing that territory, and has recognized as governing that territory, and has supreme legal authority over domestic affairssupreme legal authority over domestic affairs

C) Autonomy = People should have the freedom to make C) Autonomy = People should have the freedom to make use of the benefits of sovereignty (Closely associated use of the benefits of sovereignty (Closely associated with 20with 20thth Century ideas of Century ideas of ““Self DeterminationSelf Determination””))

Westphalia gradually gave rise to the Westphalia gradually gave rise to the ““Nation Nation StateState”” as the key form of political as the key form of political organization . . . .organization . . . .

E.g. World War I:E.g. World War I:

Caused by desire for national Caused by desire for national ““self determinationself determination””Resolved by the application of the principle of Resolved by the application of the principle of ““self determinationself determination””

Development of the Development of the Westphalian SystemWestphalian System led led to a particular kind of to a particular kind of ““International SocietInternational Societyy”” or system or system

Three key institutionsThree key institutions::1)1)““DiplomacyDiplomacy””: Policies used as instruments to : Policies used as instruments to

communicate amongst states.communicate amongst states. E.g. Economic sanctions and peace negotiationsE.g. Economic sanctions and peace negotiations

2)2)““Balance of PowerBalance of Power””: Focus on the distribution of : Focus on the distribution of ““powerpower”” amongst states. amongst states.

E.g. Diplomacy and alliances used as strategies E.g. Diplomacy and alliances used as strategies to manage insecurity by to manage insecurity by ““balancingbalancing”” later later came came ““Collective SecurityCollective Security””

3) 3) ““International LawInternational Law””: The creation of formal, : The creation of formal, acknowledged rules of conduct amongst statesacknowledged rules of conduct amongst states

3) Key Contemporary Issues:3) Key Contemporary Issues: Much analysis of international politics focuses on questions Much analysis of international politics focuses on questions

about the transition from the about the transition from the Westphalian SystemWestphalian System, to the , to the ““Post-WestphalianPost-Westphalian”” order: order: Territoriality and Territoriality and ““SovereigntySovereignty”” less important? less important? The The ““Nation-stateNation-state”” and/or the state (generally) are and/or the state (generally) are

declining forms of political organization . . . despite the declining forms of political organization . . . despite the fact many fact many ““nationsnations”” still want one . . . . still want one . . . .

International International ““InstitutionalizationInstitutionalization”” is creating denser is creating denser webs of global governance:webs of global governance:

““International OrganizationsInternational Organizations (IO (IO’’s)s)”” ““International Non-governmental OrganizationsInternational Non-governmental Organizations

(INGO(INGO’’s)s)””These concerns are illustrated through the modern focus on key topics These concerns are illustrated through the modern focus on key topics

like like ““Post Cold WarPost Cold War”” interstate relations, “globalization”, and new interstate relations, “globalization”, and new security threats . . . .security threats . . . .

a) The End of the a) The End of the ““Cold WarCold War””

The Cold War (1946-1991):The Cold War (1946-1991): Period of intense competition (E.g. Period of intense competition (E.g. ““balance of powerbalance of power””)) Involved ideological conflict over domestic politics (E.g. Involved ideological conflict over domestic politics (E.g.

Not consistent with ideals of Not consistent with ideals of Westphalian SystemWestphalian System)) Inhibited the operation of international institutions Inhibited the operation of international institutions

created after World War IIcreated after World War II E.g. the E.g. the ““United NationsUnited Nations”” and and ““Collective SecurityCollective Security””

But But ““coldcold”” because . . . . because . . . .”” Stable Stable ““balance of powerbalance of power””?? Nuclear weapons? = Nuclear weapons? = ““MAD DoctrineMAD Doctrine”” New ideas about security?New ideas about security?

a) The End of the a) The End of the ““Cold WarCold War”” The end of the cold war was a The end of the cold war was a ““surprisesurprise”” for IR for IR

scholars – It was not scholars – It was not ““rationalrational”” for the Soviet for the Soviet Union to just Union to just ““give upgive up”” . . . . . . . . Big debate between modern Big debate between modern ““RealistsRealists”” and and

““ConstructivistsConstructivists””

Key Point: Created new political possibilities, Key Point: Created new political possibilities,

unimaginable thirty years ago . . . .unimaginable thirty years ago . . . .

= A period of intensified U.S. = A period of intensified U.S. ““HegemonyHegemony””, hyper-, hyper-power, or power, or ““uni-polarityuni-polarity””??

= The = The ““peace dividendpeace dividend””??

= An increased role for = An increased role for ““International OrganizationInternational Organizationss””??

= The rise of new powers and the end of American = The rise of new powers and the end of American ““hegemonyhegemony””??

b) b) ““GlobalisationGlobalisation””::

A concept with A concept with manymany meanings . . . . Textbook = meanings . . . . Textbook = ““A A shift in the scale of human relationsshift in the scale of human relations”” in which in which people are increasingly interrelated regardless of people are increasingly interrelated regardless of physical distance . . . .physical distance . . . .

==““DeterritorializationDeterritorialization”” Heavy emphasis on how technology Heavy emphasis on how technology makes geography less important makes geography less important

==““De-NationalizationDe-Nationalization”” of power of power States are no longer as States are no longer as powerful as they once were, given their increased inability to powerful as they once were, given their increased inability to control the economy and the flow of ideas.control the economy and the flow of ideas.

Strongly suggestive of a Post-Westphalian era in global Strongly suggestive of a Post-Westphalian era in global politics = Territoriality, politics = Territoriality, ““SovereigntySovereignty”” and Autonomy of and Autonomy of states all less important then in the paststates all less important then in the past

b) b) ““GlobalizationGlobalization””::

Different fromDifferent from::

““InterdependenceInterdependence””: Described the extent to which : Described the extent to which actions in one political and economic system (or state) actions in one political and economic system (or state) may impact people in another – globalization assumes may impact people in another – globalization assumes the movement towards a single system.the movement towards a single system.

““RegionalizationRegionalization””: Growing political and economic : Growing political and economic integration amongst geographically organized states integration amongst geographically organized states (E.g. The (E.g. The ““European UnionEuropean Union””))


Economic Globalization: Focus on the emergence of a Economic Globalization: Focus on the emergence of a single global economy in which the majority of goods and single global economy in which the majority of goods and services we use may be produced in other places.services we use may be produced in other places. Makes us vulnerable to the choices of others . . . .Makes us vulnerable to the choices of others . . . . States find it increasingly difficult to intervene in the economy for States find it increasingly difficult to intervene in the economy for

broader social purposesbroader social purposes E.g. Taxing corporationsE.g. Taxing corporations


Political Globalization: Focus on the increasing role of Political Globalization: Focus on the increasing role of ““International OrganizationsInternational Organizations”” and and ““International Non-International Non-governmental Organizationsgovernmental Organizations”” in making policy decisions for in making policy decisions for us . . . .us . . . .““Asymmetrical GlobalizationAsymmetrical Globalization””: : The spread of globalization is The spread of globalization is uneven, it empowers some, and uneven, it empowers some, and marginalizes othersmarginalizes others E.g. Activists complain E.g. Activists complain ““Multinational Multinational

CorporationsCorporations”” (MNC (MNC’’s) have better s) have better access to international decision-makingaccess to international decision-making

=Double democratic deficit?=Double democratic deficit?


Social and Cultural Globalization: What does our Social and Cultural Globalization: What does our citizenship mean (?) and what obligations do we citizenship mean (?) and what obligations do we have to people outside of our own have to people outside of our own ““sovereign statsovereign statee””?? ““Human SecurityHuman Security”” Increasing emphasis on our Increasing emphasis on our

responsibility to protect global populations from harmresponsibility to protect global populations from harm Global inequalityGlobal inequality


In the study of international politics, In the study of international politics, ““globalizationglobalization”” is is often seen as a kind of seismic shift in which the basic often seen as a kind of seismic shift in which the basic nature of international society has changed . . . .nature of international society has changed . . . .

C) New security threats:C) New security threats:

Traditionally, the study of international security Traditionally, the study of international security focused on the threat of attacks by other statesfocused on the threat of attacks by other states’’ military forces.military forces. These threats were managed through the acquisition of These threats were managed through the acquisition of

military capabilities and diplomatic strategies.military capabilities and diplomatic strategies.

However, much of the focus in the modern study However, much of the focus in the modern study of security emphasizes different kind of threatsof security emphasizes different kind of threats Threats from non-state actors Threats from non-state actors

E.g. E.g. ““TerrorismTerrorism”” E.g. Threats posed by E.g. Threats posed by ““Failed StatesFailed States”” and intra-state conflict and intra-state conflict

No traditional security threats relating to globalizationNo traditional security threats relating to globalization E.g. Health pandemicsE.g. Health pandemics E.g. Environmental crisisE.g. Environmental crisis

C) New security threats:C) New security threats:

These threats seem to require different kinds of These threats seem to require different kinds of strategies . . . Strategies that may not strategies . . . Strategies that may not ““fitfit”” well in well in the Westphalian focus on the Westphalian focus on ““diplomacydiplomacy”” and the and the ““balance of powerbalance of power””..

3) Theories:3) Theories: Much analysis of IR is Much analysis of IR is ““journalisticjournalistic”” = = very very descriptive, an endless list of events . . .descriptive, an endless list of events . . .

= PROBLEM!= PROBLEM! What do we learn from description?What do we learn from description?

E.g. Does it help us predict future events?E.g. Does it help us predict future events?

To advance knowledge we need To advance knowledge we need theoriestheoriesMake sense of what is describedMake sense of what is describedIdentify common causes of events & patterns of Identify common causes of events & patterns of

behaviorbehavior

Science: IR involves search for Science: IR involves search for variablesvariables

Theories explain relationships amongst variablesTheories explain relationships amongst variables

= PROBLEM!= PROBLEM!

Unlike other fields IR has competing theories . . .Unlike other fields IR has competing theories . . .

E.g. Economics or E.g. Economics or ““natural sciencesnatural sciences””

Why?Why?

a) Complexity? The text thinks so . . . a) Complexity? The text thinks so . . .

b) Failure to agree on core concepts?b) Failure to agree on core concepts?

c) Pig-headedness of those who support stupid c) Pig-headedness of those who support stupid theories, but cantheories, but can’’t admit theyt admit they’’re wrong, ever . . . .re wrong, ever . . . .

Historical context:Historical context: War between War between ““SpartaSparta”” and and ““AthensAthens”” Causes? (according to Thucydides) Causes? (according to Thucydides) Nature of war – stalemate and growing Nature of war – stalemate and growing

Athenian economic problemsAthenian economic problems

Context of Melian Dialogue?Context of Melian Dialogue?

Athens needs $$$$ = Attacks neutral Athens needs $$$$ = Attacks neutral MelosMelos

The The ““Melian DialogueMelian Dialogue”” – Thucydides – Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War:and the Peloponnesian War:

Melians: Melians: Argue that international law and morality should stop AthensArgue that international law and morality should stop Athens

= Refuse to surrender= Refuse to surrender

Athenians: Athenians: Argue that Argue that ““might is rightmight is right”” - power is its own morality - power is its own morality

For Athens attack is For Athens attack is necessarynecessary The Melians would do the same . . . if they werenThe Melians would do the same . . . if they weren’’t so t so

wimpy . . . .wimpy . . . .

Result?Result? What happens after the Dialogue?What happens after the Dialogue?

The The ““Melian DialogueMelian Dialogue”” – Thucydides – Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War:and the Peloponnesian War:

Major theories all see different things in this story (?)Major theories all see different things in this story (?)

A) A) ““RealismRealism””: Approach emphasizing the pursuit of : Approach emphasizing the pursuit of power as both key goal of states and the source of power as both key goal of states and the source of conflictconflict

War caused by threat of the rising power of Athens War caused by threat of the rising power of Athens relative to Sparta . . . .relative to Sparta . . . .

Attack on Melos necessary to survival of AthensAttack on Melos necessary to survival of Athens= It was the morally right thing to do . . . ?= It was the morally right thing to do . . . ?

Athenians destroy Melos = there were no international Athenians destroy Melos = there were no international morals or laws . . . .morals or laws . . . .

Modern relevance?Modern relevance?


B) B) ““LiberalismLiberalism””: Approach emphasizing possibility : Approach emphasizing possibility of cooperation and rulesof cooperation and rules

There were rules! There were rules! Athens eventually lost the war and suffered same Athens eventually lost the war and suffered same

fate as Melos - should have been nicer . . . . Should fate as Melos - should have been nicer . . . . Should have been careful not to offend other stateshave been careful not to offend other states

Rules in the interest of Rules in the interest of bothboth Athens and Melos Athens and Melos



C) C) ““MarxismMarxism”” (or Radicalism): Approach (or Radicalism): Approach emphasizing economics, and economic emphasizing economics, and economic exploitation exploitation

War caused by economic imperialism . . .War caused by economic imperialism . . . ““Military Industrial ComplexMilitary Industrial Complex””



D) D) ““ConstructivismConstructivism””: Approach emphasizing values, ideas or : Approach emphasizing values, ideas or ““normnormss”” in international politics in international politics

Athens acted Athens acted ““inappropriatelyinappropriately”” - outside of norms - outside of norms==Rogue stateRogue state

D) D) ““PoststructuralismPoststructuralism””: Approach that questions the basis of the : Approach that questions the basis of the ““factsfacts” ” we use to develop our theories.we use to develop our theories.

Thucydides Thucydides ““made it all upmade it all up”” anyway - what lessons can we anyway - what lessons can we learn from his learn from his ““storystory”” outside of the messages he was trying outside of the messages he was trying to convince us off?to convince us off?

==Danger of basing todayDanger of basing today’’s policy on s policy on ““tall talestall tales””

More on these theories over the next few weeks . . .More on these theories over the next few weeks . . .

5) For Next Time . . .5) For Next Time . . . Unit Two: Unit Two: Theoretical ApproachesTheoretical Approaches

January 12, 14 & 16: January 12, 14 & 16: ““Realism and LiberalismRealism and Liberalism””

Required Reading:Required Reading: Globalization of World PoliticsGlobalization of World Politics, Chapters 6, 7 and 8., Chapters 6, 7 and 8. Realism: John Mearsheimer, Realism: John Mearsheimer, Anarchy and the Struggle Anarchy and the Struggle

for Powerfor Power, (Excerpt available from the instructor.), (Excerpt available from the instructor.) Liberalism: Michael Doyle, Liberalism: Michael Doyle, ““Liberalism and World Liberalism and World

PoliticsPolitics””, , American Political Science ReviewAmerican Political Science Review, 80 (4), pp. , 80 (4), pp. 1151-69. (Available through e-journals, or as an excerpt 1151-69. (Available through e-journals, or as an excerpt available from the instructor).available from the instructor).

posc 2200 - introduction russell alan williams department of political science

Documents

way international relations

daily global politics

states relations

study of relations

interstate relations

old men

introduction chapters

modern understandings