INTERNATIONAL POLITICS UNIT

POST-WWI POLITICSWorld War 1 = “The War to End All Wars”

After the war, two political views defined international politics:1. Liberal Internationalists2. Realist (Internationalists)

LIBERAL INTERNATIONALISTS (MULTI-LATERAL THINKING)

Woodrow Wilson best represented this shift in thinking.- Lead the U.S. out of isolationism- Wanted “A world safe for democracy.”

1. Collective Security2. Allowing National Self-Determination (End of

imperialism)3. Promotion of democracy and capitalist values would

promote stability.

- War would be eliminated through this process.

REALISTS (“CONSERVATIVE VIEW”)Realpolitik = politics can’t rely upon ideology, but physical, material power. Politics can’t be defined by a fixed set of rules.- Skeptical of international community, pushed

for isolationism.1. States compete for scarce resources2. Limited incentives for cooperation3. Purpose of Politics: we enter political-society

to protect us from “the other.”- There is no international body (sovereign) to enforce laws and international behavior.

HISTORY OF THE 1920’S1901- Marconi sends a radio signal across the Atlantic between Europe and the United States.

By 1920, the world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before => Globalization- Globalization = Name for the process of

increasing the connectivity and interdependence of the world’s markets and businesses.

- Creates competition and/or cooperation

CULTURAL GLOBALIZATIONInternationalized Culture, not just markets.

Contemporary:- Music: American music saturates global

markets- Internet: most software script is in

English- Fast food: McDonalds global empire

AFTER WW1Many within the international communities realized that economic prosperity was gained from global interaction (new markets).

- Stability necessary for economic growth- Stability required cooperation

Kellog-Briand Pact- Disarmament agreements emerge.- Problems with Pact?

Depression Hits Globally => Creates competition- nationalist and national policy outweighs

international agreements.- Militarism returns (Japan and Germany)

DEPRESSION POLICIES- Tariffs = Harley Smoots Tariff- International companies emerged with

private goals and policies that did not reflect U.S. international needs.

- Refusal to join League of Nations- Independent Internationalism: A foreign

policy approach by a nation to remain a world power with global policies but remain in isolationism.

FAILURES OF INTERWAR PERIODThe failure to create international security led to the emergence of:

- The United Nations- The International Criminal Court

UNITED NATIONS

UN STRUCTURESix Primary Organs:1. General Assembly: Deliberation2. Security Council: Decides Active Measures3. Economic and Social Council4. Secretariat (Secretary General): Ban Ki-

Moon (S. Korea)5. The International Court of Justice: Conflicts

between states6. United Nations Trusteeship Council

GENERAL ASSEMBLY193 Member Nations of the United Nations

- Deliberative body which creates a forum for discussion of international issues.

- Makes suggestions to the Security Council

- Elects officials in other UN bodies

SECURITY COUNCIL15 total members: 5 permanent members with veto power.

- China, U.S., Russia, France, and Britain.- Investigate situations which threaten international

security- Recommend and vote on procedures to create

resolutions to disputes.- Enforce decisions with military action if necessary.- Avoid conflict and maintain focus on cooperation.

ICC-INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.- Rome Statute- 1998 : Enforced in 2002- 122 states have signed as parties to the

Statute- To date, all 8 investigations have been aimed

at leaders in African nations.

MEMBERS

Green: Parties Yellow: Signed but not ratified Red: Did not sign

COLD WAR NOTES

- What made the Cold War “cold?”

- What made the Cold War “war?”

INTRO: COLD WAR

-After WWII, the world was left in ruins. Most major cities (Tokyo, Berlin, London, Stalingrad, Warsaw…) had been destroyed due to the continuous bombing after years of war.- China was in the middle of a civil war.- France had to reestablish a new government.- It was a time of rebuilding.

INTRO- The major powers which had

imperialized the world over the past 400 years were weakened.

- The multi-polar world was gone.- The only powers which still flourished

were the U.S. and Soviet Union creating a bi-polar international power system.

NEW BI-POLAR WORLDEach country represented different principles:1. United States:

- Capitalism/Free-Enterprise- Democracy- Free Trade (International Capitalism)

2. Soviet Union:- Socialist/Communist Ideology- Prosperity is created through equality and

community involvement.- International Socialism (best use of resources)

READING: ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR

1. Each country saw the other’s way of life as a threat to their own.- Feared expansion of other ideology.- Need to protect against the other’s ideology (through

expansion).2. Arms race was created to deter conflict.

- MAD: Mutual Assured Destruction- a doctrine of military strategy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by opposing sides would effectively result in the destruction of both parties.

3. Proxy wars in order to establish ideology world-wide. (Vietnam, Korea, Greece, Iran, Guatemala, Afghanistan…)

READING: ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR

4. Creation of Global Camps or Divisions.- East and West (Western Democracy and Eastern

Socialism).- Policy: Collection of other nations into one’s Sphere of

Influence.- 1st World: Western Capitalist-Democracy- 2nd World: Communist/Socialist- 3rd World: Developing Nations belonging to neither

camp.5. National Security based on perceived threat

- Soviets create “Iron Curtain”- U.S. created navy bases around world (avoid second

Pearl Harbor)

READING: ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR6. Economics required trading partners =>

Expansion and military expansion7. Who does fault lie with?

- Were they aggressively naturally because of this belief to spread their ideology?

- Both felt that each ideology could not be symbiotic.

- Was this based on a lack of understanding?

NUCLEAR PROLIFERATIONWhat is nuclear proliferation?

The U.S. nuclear weapons program started in WWII under the orders of Franklin Roosevelt who had been warned of Nazi Germany’s attempt to build such a weapon. The United States teamed up with Britain and Canada in what was known as the “Manhattan Project.”

FIRST BOMBSOn July 16, 1945, the Trinity Bomb was the first Nuclear Weapon ever tested.

On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, Japan. On August 9, the U.S. dropped “Fat Boy” on Nagasaki. The blasts killed approximately 250,000 Japanese just in the explosions.

FRANCK COMMITTEE PREDICTS ARMS RACE•Questions of whether the Atomic-Bomb would even convince the Japanese High Command to surrender.

1.Kamikaze- Engrained military belief in never surrendering. (larger cause is more important than life)

2.Fire bombing of Tokyo- 120,000 dead.

Hiroshima killed 140,000 and Nagasaki killed 80,000

•They realized the magnitude of this weapon, and had to consider what would be the repercussions and precedents created by its use on Japan.

•They want the prevention of nuclear war after the war: paramount objective. Or at least considered it.-would dropping the bomb make the prevention of nuclear war in the future obsolete?

•If we use it on a country, can we be trusted that we would not use it again? => Forces other countries to obtain the bomb as a deterrent.

•How many American lives will be saved by the decision to use the Bomb IF it convinces Japan to surrender?

•Option: Show its power, but not use it. Use the UN as a road for this option.

•If there is no international agreement now or after its use, it will probably lead to an arms race.

AFTER HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKIOn November 15, 1945, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada proposed the establishment of a U.N. Atomic Energy Commission for the purpose of “entirely, eliminating the use of atomic energy for destructive purposes.”

On January 24, 1946, the United Nations founded the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (UNAEC).-“To deal with the problems raised by the discovery of atomic energy.”-June 1946- U.S. Ambassador to U.N. agreed to destroy U.S. arsenal if the U.N. would control the future of other atomic programs by not having the Security Council veto implemented.-Soviet Union abstained and put an end to nuclear destruction of arsenal.

FAILURE TO END PROLIFERATIONSoviet Union: 1949United Kingdom: 1952France: 1960People’s Republic of China: 1964

Without limits, further proliferation remained very much a reality.

ARMS AS DETERRENT TO WAR?

Nuclear arms acts as a deterrent If one escalates the number of weapons, other

countries will be deterred from attacking Reduces the chance of war (including nuclear

war) As more countries expanded their arsenal, it

reduced the chance for war around the world What is the main premise of this argument?

EMERGENCE OF THE NPT- NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY

First acknowledged by Ireland in 1958 (non-nuclear power).

It was opened for ratification in 1968 (signed by Ireland and Finland)

1970- Signed by U.S., Soviet Union, and Great Britain1992- China and France sign.

What is the NPT?

- Three Pillars (Theory and Philosophy)-

Non-Proliferation (put an end to the growth of nuclear weapons programs)

DisarmamentThe right to peacefully use nuclear technology

APPLICATIONApplication:Non-Proliferation: Obligates the five acknowledged nuclear-weapon states not to transfer nuclear weapons or share technology with non-nuclear weapon states.All nuclear weapons programs and stockpiles are inspected by participating countries. Obligates non-nuclear weapon states: not receive, manufacture, or acquire nuclear weapons or seek this knowledge.All domestic nuclear-energy programs are investigated by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

Disarmament:Nuclear-weapon states stop the increasing of their nuclear arsenal.Nuclear-weapon states begin to reduce nuclear stockpiles with the goal of complete disarmament.

Peaceful nuclear technology:Allows for nuclear energy programs that abide by the international guidelines for domestic energy. Allow the IAEA to inspect facilities and follow their rules.

IAEA is independent of the U.N., but reports to both General Assembly and Security Council

TODAYCurrently, 189 countries are signatories of the Non-Nuclear Proliferation Treaty

Only four recognized sovereign countries are not part of the treaty:

India (1974)Pakistan (1998)Israel (~1979)N. Korea (withdrew) (2006-test)

Problems:

- The Non-signatory Nuclear-weapon states create precedent and arguing for leaving the NPT agreement for signatory members.- Creates a world of haves and have-nots- Disarmament creates a rarity of nuclear weapons => a loss of MAD, and the use of nuclear weapons is no longer as detrimental to world stability => creates an incentive to have a nuclear weapon.

A CHANGING GLOBAL SOCIETY

After WWII, American-Soviet diplomacy was at a crossroads. On one end:

- Allies during WWII- They both saw each other as threats

During the war, the Roosevelt Administration turned to Russian expert and diplomat George Kennan. In his “Long Telegram,” he defines the future of American international politics.

GEORGE KENNAN’S “LONG TELEGRAM”

- Kennan placed in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow during FDR’s Administration. Expert on Russian history and politics.

1. Historically (and currently), [Kennan believed] Russia was internally weak and feared the West because of its stability. Created a need to remove rivals.

2. In order for the Bolsheviks to take power, they were ruthless. Those same ideologues still ran the Kremlin.

3. To expand its military, the Soviet leadership will make it appear though they are doing it in the name of protecting “Marxism.” No one person is greater than the greater good.4. Military expansion is necessary to spread socialism. Police will be used to remove internal dissent.5. International Marxism is the only way to assure internal Marxist state.6. The censorship against their own people keeps politicians in the dark as well. (The government believes its own propaganda.)

7. The belief that Russia believes the Western “way of life” will intrude on the Soviet way of life exists. Western values must be removed.

8. Russia has strong national resources and strong internal power, and has international clout.

9. Russia’s POV will not change.

10. Goal of the telegram:

11. Point 1: War is not necessary to persuade the USSR. We need a strong military to threaten them because they cannot currently take any risks. (Build U.S. military force)

12. Point 2: The Soviets cannot compete against the collective power of “the West” and western values. We need to make a pact with like countries.

13. Point 3: No plan for a true transfer of authority within the government. Keep them from expanding, and they will internally combust. (Containment policy)

14. Point 4: To keep them from expanding, we must create an intelligence/propaganda plan to keep the international community from viewing the Soviets in a positive light. (Focus on 3rd World)

TRUMAN DOCTRINE (1947)

Kennan’s policy begins to take shape.

•Greece and Turkey were both suffering from internal instability.

-Fear that they may fall to the socialist political movements within which had Soviet support.

•Both countries’ governments (western) needed financial assistance in order to maintain stability.

•“Totalitarian regimes are being forced upon them.” - The Soviets are forcing their way of life upon them.-They don’t want these countries to end up like Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria.

•Countries (3rd world) must choose between alternative ways of life. (Bi-polar world)

-Truman describes our system as: will of majority, free institutions, elections, individual liberty, speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.-Truman describes their system as: minority forcibly opposed on the majority, terror and oppression, controlled press, fixed elections, and suppression of personal freedoms.

•Gift of financial and economic aid to support free and independent nations

•If Greece falls, Turkey will fall, and the Middle East could follow.

• The gift of civilian and military personnel to assist in reconstruction

• This is for “hope”, “free peoples”, and “peace of the world.”

MARSHALL PLAN•The US domestic strength relies upon Europe’s ability to promote peace and trade.

•Economics is at the heart of stability.

- Capitalism

•European recovery requires the US to help in the planning along with all other European nations. They must maintain their sovereignty, but create an economic plan that includes them all.

•No trade barriers => Free Trade-built off the prosperity of the trade b/t states in the US

•WWI and WWII was due to European competition, and if we can promote cooperation, we can promote peace.

•Countries cannot inhibit the US economy (must follow American model of capitalism) for economic assistance, and they will lose assistance if they follow a different model.

NSC-68 (NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL PAPER NO. 68)- 1950

- Since WWI and WWII, the international distribution of power has been fundamentally altered.

1.Germany, Japan, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and the Ottoman’s have lost all power.

2.French and British colonization is coming to an end.

The ability for a collective force to create a powerful coalition has been altered.

- One great power could overthrow many.

•Bi-Polar world with an aggressive USSR

Seeks international authority (international hegemony, not hegemony over another nation alone) => aggressive international policy => obtained nuclear weapons => possible annihilation

•U.S. Policy:•Creating healthy world environment = capitalism (democracy or pro-U.S.)•Containment of USSR by following Kennan’s strategyblock Soviet expansion- expose the problems of Soviet system- reduce Kremlin’s (Soviet Government in Moscow) control within Soviet Union- plant seeds for Soviet failure

•Requires Military Build-upnational securityability to bluff soviets from aggressive behavior

•Soviet Union is seeking to create military power as well (1st?)USSR created bomb in 1949

•The U.S. needs to protect the “free world” = countries not under Soviet Sphere of influencein particular, 3rd world countries

•By containing USSR through military build-up, the Kremlin will have to adjust to our way of life to compete economically.

- If they can’t expand militarily, they will have to expand economically, and will not be able to compete.

- If they get in a arms race with us, we will spend them into failure.

EUROPEAN UNION- 1951- The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

- These minerals were monitored by other countries in treaty- Why Coal and Steel?- Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Luxembourg

- 1957- European Economic Community (EEC)- elimination of trade barriers, common agricultural plan, and common external trade policy

- 1970-1980’s- EEC expands its membership

- 1987- SEA- Single European Act- Linked foreign policy decisions and push for social cohesion- Aimed at creating one “single” common market across Europe.

- 1992- Maastricht Treaty-Created the European Union- Aligns countries’ economies, legal and political systems, and social policies through a system of supranational independent institutions.- 2000- Common currency (the Euro)

ESCS

EEC

GLOBAL UNIONS1. The European Union2. The African Union (AU)3. NAFTA (North America Free Trade Act)4. ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations)5. UNASUR (Union of South American Nations)6. EurAsEC (Eurasian Economic Community)7. CARICOM (Caribbean Community)

The EU has created competition and redefined the relationship countries have with one another.

ASEAN

EURASEC

EU CRISIS- The “Eurozone Crisis” started in 2009.

- Primarily, a debt crisis and banking crisis.- Housing bubbles, not collecting taxes, high

government spending, U.S. recession, international finance markets

- Begs the question: Who has authority and sovereignty?

- Who creates rules and regulations that struggling countries are to follow now and in the future?

NO “EXIT CLAUSE”- There is a way into the Eurozone, but no way

out.- There is a way to convert your currency into

the Euro, but no planned way to convert back.- What is the consequence of removing a

member?- Does the threat of being removed give too

much power to larger economies like Germany and France?

- United States of Europe?

FRANCIS FUKUYAMA’S: THE END OF HISTORY AND THE LAST MAN

- Written in 1989- Turned into a book in 1992- Thesis: A liberal democracy is the endpoint in man’s

sociocultural evolution.- A representative democracy which operates under

the principles of liberalism (protecting the rights of individuals and citizens including economic freedom) usually through some specified social contract.

- Sociocultural evolution: the process by which social structural reorganization is affected through time, eventually producing a form or structure which is qualitatively different from the ancestral form.

THE DIALECTIC1. Thesis is a

new idea for explaining an event/a reality which proves unsatisfactory.

2. Antithesis is the idea that stems from the failure of the thesis.

3. Synthesis is the result of the defeat of both thesis and antithesis to create a new explanation.

DEFINING HISTORY- Dialectic materialism proposes that

every economic order grows to a state of maximum efficiency while simultaneously developing internal contradictions and weaknesses that contribute to its systematic decay.

- Some (Marx) believe history is a series of class struggles.

MARX’S DIALECTIC MATERIALISMMarx divided history into 5 Periods:1. Primitive communism (hunter-gatherers)2. Slavery3. Feudalism4. Capitalism5. Communism (Socialism)

Each one of these periods reflects a specific class struggle.

- The thesis represents the ruling class and the antithesis is the productive class.

EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS

It was believed that as society shifted, it changed towards a progressive and more “perfect” structure.1. Contemporary societies may be classified and

ranked as more “primitive” or more “civilized.”2. There are a determinate number of stages

between primitive and civilized (band, tribe, chiefdom, state…)

3. All societies progress through these stages in the same sequence, but at different rates.

IS LIBERAL DEMOCRACY THE FINAL FORM OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT?

EVIDENCE- ELECTORAL DEMOCRACIES

EVIDENCE- THE RISE OF DEMOCRACIES

EVIDENCE-DECREASE IN GLOBAL CONFLICT AND INCREASE IN CIVIL CONFLICT

IS HIS THESIS FALSE?1. Rise of Political (Radical) Islam2. The Return of the Authoritarian State (State

Capitalism)3. The Failure of unregulated capitalism and

international competition4. Environmental Disaster5. Rise of a new political structure?6. Are we really at a convergence of capitalism and

socialism? Are we really in a free-liberal state?

EVIDENCE: POLITICAL ISLAM

EVIDENCE: GROWTH IN STATE CAPITALISM

EVIDENCE: THE END OF THE STATE…NEW SYSTEM? TED Talk: Joseph Nye- Global Power Shift