the idea of an international system – use Europe as example –
develop a theoretical framework for talking about ”international systems”
Definition:
the relations are frequent and important enough that they can’t be ignored – one unit has to take the actions and attitudes of the other units under consideration
there is an inter-dependence of decisions – you cannot only think about what you want to do, but also what other states are doing
this implies nothing regarding friendly relations or social relations – billiard balls knocking into each other …
a mechanical order
Cf. state and empire
can contain many different kinds of components, but they are subject to the same power
there is no state that can impose order — force people to conform — implement the law
Problem of order
the units are independent from each other — the look after themselves
the problem of order — the problem of anarchy
decentralization of power
Relations of power
all states are equal — at least formally
what does that mean? Functionally equal in what sense?
very complicated relations
Question of polarity:
Unipolar
biopolar
multipolar
Mechanical description:
Pool table
A sew-saw between two blocks
Solar system
Which system is best?
advantages of multipolarity — maximize independence of the units
bipolarity — balances of power
unipolarity — perhaps the best way to achieve peace
International society
the system is also a society —
although some people would dispute this …
what is a society?
Cf. the origin of norms and institutions:
through decisions from above
through repeated interaction over time – a certain pattern comes to appear
cf. the way you are seated in class
What are institutions and where do they come from?
marriage, money
even if they are established, they quickly change – cf. the United Nations
The emergence of patterns
everything that humans doing leaves a trace
the traces accumulate to form patterns
cf. law in stateless societies
The English School
IR theory – American and European approaches
18th century power politics
the United States as a different kind of state – break with all those European wars
turn its back on European diplomacy
“Republican diplomacy”
the US didn’t want to be a part of Europe’s wars – not mix with Europe’s aristocrats – it was their secrecy and their diplomatic practices that created wars
refused to accept ambassadors in Washington – insisted that American diplomats have republican clothes
isolationism and Monroe Doctrine
Europe in the 19c
ideas regarding Realpolitik – how states assure their security – balances of power, alliances, arms races
Staatsrason
First and Second World Wars – involves the Unites States in world politics
How European theory is imported into the US
Harvard etc.
Morgenthau, Kissinger
English School
practitioners and historians sitting in arm chairs with a whiskey – speculating regarding the nature of history
Americans – sharp haircuts and sharp suits
European IR tradition
Now really quite different – globalization, post-political
much more touchy-feely
environmentalism
gender equality
US
still much more emphasis on matters of war and security
Hedley Bull, An Anarchical Society
What does Bull mean by a “Hobbesian” tradition?
Who was Hobbes? What is the reference here?
What does Bull mean by a “Kantian” tradition?
Who was Kant? What is the reference here?
Who was “Grotius”? Why does Bull like him?
Compare “realism” and “idealism”
Christian international society — European international society – how to characterize?
World international society? – Could there be such a thing?
Why does Bull say that international society is “real”?
what are the limitations of international society?
What does he mean by “anarchical society”?
How, according to Bull, is order maintained in international society?
how is order maintained inside the state?
what about “primitive stateless societies”?
why is this example interesting to Bull?
Common interests
What are some of the rules of international society?
What are some of the institutions of international society?
Three examples:
1. Trenches of the First World War
how norms developed around Christmas
at a time when it had been raining
someone throws around a football
2. History of diplomacy:
first embassies
but connected to certain occasions – or certain peace conferences
there is a need for more sustained contacts – to gather information and to communicate better in order to avoid misunderstandings
system of permanent diplomatic representation
accredited at each other’s courts
a copy of the world at the court of each state
permanent forum for discussion
problems of precedent
each diplomat represented his state
the way the diplomat was treated was the way the state was treated
matters of precedent become very important – constant fights over who should sit where, be placed where, or sign a paper in which order
seems ridiculous, but it concerns the value of the state in relation to other states – the social rules that determine how much a state is worth
often best to negotiate without a table – that way you don’t have to sort out the seating arrangements
development of a number of diplomatic practices
legal immunity
freedom of religion
diplomatic mail
common diplomatic culture
very much based on the aristocratic culture of the day – pretty similar around Europe – they all spoke French and had shoes with bells
you fought, but the fighting was within the family as it were
3. International law
What is the source of the law?
we will talk about this during a whole week later in the course
kinds of law
there is customary law – law that grows from the ground up
cf. the legal systems of the US and UK – case law – you have to look for precedents – laws are made
law is made by judges rather than by kings
a social, society, view and hierarchy
should make it easier to talk about hierarchies and differences
these are social differences after all
First – ”natural law”
problems of natural law – ”positive law”
what states actually do
gather into large manuals – but also select and order this material
come to be incorporates in international practices – including manuals used on the battlefield
it actually makes a difference
but the rules can also be broken at any time
the social aspect of this
the idea of ”civilization”
identity and membership in an international community
Constructivism
social reality as constructed
structures of social reality are based on ideas
sees the world as built through social reaction
anarchy
the ontological status of the state
does America survive?
a shared understanding of a unity
cf. collapse of the Soviet Union
explanations for the breakup of the Soviet Union
it ended as a result of people stopping to believe in it
or rather, they stopped acting as though it existed
all of international relations are shaped by ideas and identities
reality is such because we take it to be as such
norms in international relations
More on constructivism
Activities: The Future of Nato
Questions:
Why, according to the podcast, has Ukraine recently encountered losses in the war against Russia?