PO400: Unit 2

The Historical Evolution of International Politics

International Politics

The development of a system of sovereign states in Western Europe

The spread of this system throughout the world

Balance of power Nation-state Imperialism

Treaty of Westphalia Result of the Thirty Years WarResult of the Thirty Years War Treaty of Westphalia: Treaty of Westphalia:

Recognized the existence and defined the rights of Recognized the existence and defined the rights of sovereign statessovereign states

Sovereignty InternalInternal ExternalExternal

Pluralism: Pluralism: In religious termsIn religious terms In political terms In political terms multi-polar system multi-polar system

RecognitionRecognition External reorganization by other sovereign statesExternal reorganization by other sovereign states

International relations is STATE-centered.International relations is STATE-centered.

Balance of power Anarchy remains

no central ruler or government above individual sovereign states Peace maintained through balance of power

A fact and a policy Distribution of capabilities not necessarily equal

Hegemon Unipolar Bipolar Multipolar

Counterbalance: Does not imply peace, but rather a stability maintained by

means of recurring wars that adjust power relations redistribution of power

Collective security Alliance Deterrence Arms race

US: unipolarity without hegemony?

Nation-State and Nationalism What is a nation?

Groups of people living in a single state share commonalities.

Imagined community (Benedict Anderson) Us vs. them

Nationalism: devotion to the interests of one’s own nation over others

National self-determination Issue: the political boundary of nation-state

Does nation creates state or vice versa? Why was the idea of nationalism so appealing?

Imperialism Forms:

Direct political and military control Indirect control through economic

dependence (core vs. peripheries) Economic explanation Nationalist explanation Social Darwinism and racism

Kipling’s "The White Man’s Burden"

Unintended Consequences of European Nationalism Nationalist movements in colonies worldwide Self-determination was the goal and the

struggle for independence often was long and brutal.

Lingering effect of colonial exploitation Nationalism remains one of the most

important factor in IR till today Examples?

Key words State Sovereignty Balance of power Distribution of capabilities Alliance Collective security Deterrence Arms race Nation-State Nationalism National self determination Imperialism

Assignment You are E.T. Main task: document the development of the modern

international system and the rise of the nation state Identify and detail the main points in the development of

the modern state system Examples Lesson learned

Use electronic libraries/databases for research purposes At least three unique sources for your information. Methodology:

Detail how you know these sources are reliable List the key terms you used in your search

Cite your sources