Global Politics Unit 3D Structures of Global Politics

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  • Created by: TessAni
  • Created on: 29-05-13 15:16
State Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the principle of supreme and unquestionable authority, reflected in the claim by the state to be the sole author of laws within its territory.
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External Sovereignty ('State' Sovereignty)
Refers to the capacity of the state to act independently and autonomously on the world stage. This implies that states are legally equal and that the territorial integrity and political of a state are inviolable.
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Pooled Sovereignty
The combined sovereignty of two or more states; 'pooling' sovereignty implies gaining access to greater power and influence than state/national sovereignty
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Internal Sovereignty
Refers to the location of supreme power/authority within the state.
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Globalisation
Globalisation is the emergence of a complex web of interconnectedness that means that our lives are increasingly shaped by events that occur, and decisions that are made, at a great distance from us: geographical distance is of declining importance
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Economic Globalisation
A shift from a world of distinct national economies to a global economy in which production is internationalised and financial capital flows freely and instantly between countries". Leads to intensified interdependence between national economies.
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Political Globalisation
Refers to the growing importance of international organisation that are transnational (exert influence not within individual states but internationally). Impacts vary whether institutions are intergovernmental or supranational.
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Cultural Globalisation
The process whereby information, commodities and images that have been produced in one part of the world enter into a global flow that tends to 'fatten out' cultural differences, Potential for homogenisation which could create a cultural backlash.
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Hard Power
The ability of one actor (usually but not necessarily a state) to influence another through the use of threats or rewards, typically involving military 'sticks' or economic 'carrots'
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Soft Power
The ability to influence other actors by persuading them to follow or agree to norms and aspirations that produced the desired behaviour (Dalai Lama or Vatican)
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Smart Power
Obama Administration put this forward; the use of soft power backed up bythe possible use of hard power.
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Structural Power
The ability to shape the frameworks within which global actors relate to one another, thus affecting 'how things shall be done'
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Hegemony
The leading state within a collection of states. Status is based on the possession of structural power, particularly the control of economic and military resources, enabling the hegemon to shape the actions of other states not through force
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Hyperpower
A state that is vastly stronger than its potential rivals and so dominates world affairs
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Superpower
William Fox (1944) the term indicates a great power 'plus great mobility of power'. USA and USSR possessed a global reach and a predominant economic/strategic role within their respective ideolgical bloc and preponderant military capacity + nuclear
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Great Power
Criteria: First rank in military prowess with capacity to maintain own security; economically powerful states (not enough alone); global, not merely regional, spheres of interest; adopt 'forward' foreign policy, have actual impact on IR
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Multipolarity
An international system in which there are three or more power centres.
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Anarchical Multipolarity
Neorealists argue that multipolarity creates a bias in favour of fluidity/uncertainty which can lead only to instability and an increased likelihood of war
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Interdependent Multipolarity
Liberals argue that multipolar systems are characterised by a tendency towards multilateralism, as more even divisions of global power promotes peace, cooperation and integration
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Bipolarity
Refers to an international system which resolves around two poles (major power blocs). The term is most commonly associated with the Cold War. There must a be level of equality between the two pre-eminient powers/blocs (certainly militarily).
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Neorealists' Bipolarity
Neorealists have argued that this equilibrium (between the two states) implies that bipolar systems are stable and relatively peaceful, being biased in favour of a balance of power
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Balance of Power
A condition in which no one state predominates over others tending to create general equilibrium and curb the hegemonic ambitions of all states
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Liberals' Bipolarity
Liberals have associated bipolarity with tension and insecurity, resulting from their tendency to breed hegemonic ambition and prioritise military power
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Unipolarity
Unipolarity refers to an international system in which there is one pre-eminent state, or 'pole', implying absence of constraints/potential rivals.
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Pro Unipolarity
Unipolarity has been defended on the grounds that the dominant actor is able to act as the 'world's police officer' settling disputes and preventing war ('Pax Britannicus' and 'Pax Americana') and guaranteeing economic stability with ground rules
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Critis of Unipolarity
Critics argue that unipolarity promotes megalomania on the part of the dominant actor, as well as fear, resentment and hostility among other actors
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International Organisation (IGOs)
An institution with formal procedures and a membership comprising three or more states. Characterised by rules that seek to regulate relations amongst members and a formal structure that implements/enforces these rules.
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Regionalism
The theory/practice of coordinating social, economic or poltical activities within a geographical region comprising a number of states. Implies the realignment of political identities/loyalties from the state to the region.
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Supranationalism
The existence of an authority that is higher than that of the nation state and capable of imposing its will on it. Supranationalism thus transfers sovereignty from states to an international/regional organisation.
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Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)
Used in Europe. A system in which different majorities are needed on different issues, with states' votes weighted (roughly) according to size
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Intergovernmentalism
Interaction among states which takes place on the basis of sovereign independence - no authority higher than state. State sovereignty is preserved through the process of unanimous decision making or the use of the veto.
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Federalism
Refers to legal/political structures that distribute power between two distinct levels of government, neither of which is subordinate to the other.
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Global Governance
Process of interactive decision making at a global level that involves formal and informal mechanism as well as governmental and non-governmental bodies. States remain the primary institution but it does involve IGOs/NGOs/TNCs and individuals.
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World Government
The idea of all humankind united under one common political authority. Underlying vision of some comspolitans. Based on the centralising of authority to a supranational body.
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Unitary World Government Model
This is a 'cosmpolis' world state, which would enjoy a monopoly of the legitimate use of force and establish a strictly hierachical world order
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Federal World Government Model
A central authority would be vested with autonomous authority over the rule of law and the maintenance of order, while the constituent units (previously states) retained control over local and domestic matters.
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Subsidiarity
The devolution of decision-making from the centre to lower levels.
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Political Principle of Subsidiarity
In federal states, such as Germany, implies decentralisation and popular participation through local institutions. The TEU declares that decisions should be taken as closely as possible to the citizens
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Constitutional Principle of Subsidiarity
Interpreted, by anti-federalists, as that which defends national sovereignty against the encroachment of the EU institutions. In this light, the EU should act only on matters 'that cannot be sufficiently achieved by the member states'
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Card 2

Front

External Sovereignty ('State' Sovereignty)

Back

Refers to the capacity of the state to act independently and autonomously on the world stage. This implies that states are legally equal and that the territorial integrity and political of a state are inviolable.

Card 3

Front

Pooled Sovereignty

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Internal Sovereignty

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Globalisation

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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