Basic concepts to understand contemporary Global Issues.

1. +
GLOBAL ISSUES
Module 1
AUGUST – DECEMBER 2015
MGP. Angélica Ruiz León

2. +
INTRODUCTION
“All the world’s a stage, and the men and
women merely players”
-William Shakespeare

3. +
Which countries do you identify ?
-Which countries have you already visited?
-Where would you like to go?
-How many recognized countries are there in
the world today?

4. +
Which are the main issues or global
problems for the contemporary
world?

5. +

6. Some basic concepts…
International
System
International
Relations
Foreign Policy

7. Is the world too Big…?

8. …or TOO small ?

9. It´s all about
perspectives…!

10. …How would you analyze
the Contemporary World?

11. +
Module 1
International Relations and its fields of study
Background of the New International Order:
The end of the Cold War.

12. + International Relations
and its fields of study

13. How to understand the
contemporary world?
 Is the world too big or too small? Why?
 How would you analyze the world?
 How many perspectives may we use to study the world?

14. +
Integral Development Analysis
Society
Politics
Economy
Culture
Religion
Environment
Security

15. +
3 Level analysis
Karen Mingst, (2006), Fundamentos de
las Relaciones Internacionales, México:
CIDE
Conflict, Alliances, International Organizations,
International Treaties, Power Poles…
Type of Government, National Interest, Interest
Groups,
Political Parties, Economic Prosperity,
Education, Security…
Behavior, Leadership, Biological Aspects,
Capacities, Experience,

16. +
Social Pyramid, Social Classes

17. +
World countries

18. +
Environmentally

19. +
World Population

20. +
Religiously/culturally

21. +
Political power (great powers)
Great powers with UN P5 membership and recognized nuclear weapons status: China,
France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Great powers without Security Council vetoes: Germany and Japan.

22. +
Political Issues
Statistic comparissions
CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD…

23. +
Global Peace Index

24. +
Happy people index

25. +
Economic Aspects
Human Development Index

26. +Economic Aspects
(life expectancy at birth)

27. +
BY BLOCKS OF COUNTRIES

28. +
BY BLOCKS OF COUNTRIES

29. +
Internet access per country

30. +
Web pages per country

31. +
Facebook users

32. +Satelites

33. +
OECD Better Life Index
http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/es/#/11000011111

34. +
Global Actors
States
Nations
IGO´s
NGO´s
MNC´s
MCM
Individual Leaders
Refugees
Ilegal Groups

35. +
State
Institutions that work together inside a
territory, having well established population,
that obeys a government, that is recognized
by other states.

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Territory
Government
Population
Sovereignty (no intervention)
Diplomatic Recognition

37. +
Newest country of
the world…
Gained independence from Sudan on
July, 9 , 2011
Not recognized by
all as countries..
Taiwan
Vatican City
Kosovo
196 recognized
countries (States)

38. +
The elements of POWER for a state
are..
State
• Geography
• Natural Resources
• Population
• Strong power (measurable): Industrial
Development, Army and Infrastructure.
• Soft Power (not measurable): national unity,
support of the population to the State policies,
international image and international leadership,
diplomatic capacity...

39. +
NATION NATION-
STATE
STATE
ETHNICITY
RELIGION
LANGUAGE
CUSTOMS
HISTORY
IDENTITY
TERRITORY A Nation
governs
itself in a
specific
territory
Group of people
that share some
of the following
characteristics
Institutions that
govern and control
a group of people

40. + The KURDS
Are an example of a nation, but not a
state.

41. +
 Became important after WWII.
 IGO´s that are concerned with: economic
issues, health, security, education, children,
women rights etc…
 ONLY STATES can be members.
 The government representatives represent the
state in the IGO´S.
 Example: APEC, WHO, UN, NATO, OAS,
UNICEF etc…
 Cooperate to solve problems between member
states. Create international treaties.
International Governmental
Organizations (IGO´s)

42. +
 Began to appear after WWII
 Governments do not pay attention to all
problems, so NGO´s emerge to try to solve
those problems.
 Volunteers participate
 The organization has clear objectives and
rules
 The funding ($) comes from private sponsors
 Cannot use violence. Cannot do actions to
earn money. (No lucrativas)

43. + Multinational Corporations (MNC´s)
• They exist since the XVIII century,
but increased 17 times after WWII.
• An MNC has operations in more than
two countries.
• It´s transnational.
• Agreements with governments.
Sometimes positive, sometimes
negative.

44. +

45. +
Mass Media (MCM) and
Social Media
• Information mechanisms
• TV, Internet, Radio and Newspapers,
Books, Blogs, etc..
• Global or regional reach
• Influence global opinion because they
decide what to show.
• Great relationship with the
government. Can take sides. Who
uses who??

46. +
Individual
Leaders
• Charismatic and respected leaders that can
influence in global public opinion
• Moral authority
• Promote causes

47. +
Refugees
A refugee is a person who is outside their home country
because they have suffered or feared persecution on
account of race, religion, nationality, or political
opinion; because they are a member of a persecuted
social category of persons; or because they are fleeing
a war.

48. +
Ilegal Groups, Crime & Guerrillas
 Group of people that doesn´t belong to the
government and use violence to get to their
objectives.
 Organized Crime, Terrorist Groups and Guerrilla
and Liberation Groups.
 They have political (ETA)or economical
objectives(Mafias, organized crime).
 ORGANIZED CRIME: International trafficking of
drugs, weapons, humans, money laundry, etc.
 TERRORIST GROUPS: Use violence to get to
their political objectives. Their target are mostly
government and military.

49. +

63. International System
Models

64. Models of International
System Structures
Two poles of power. Hostility between the two poles is the main characteristic of a
bipolar system. Each of them tries to eliminate the other bloc by undermning it if possible
and by fighting it if necessary. The risks are acceptable. In order to increase power it is
necessary to bring new members into your bloc, and preventing others from jining the
rival bloc.
BIPOLAR
1947- 1991
COLD WAR

65. Models of International
System Structures
One pole of power. The central power establishes and
enforces rules and dominates military and economic
instruments.
UNIPOLAR
Large power
Small power
Dominant link
Short term or potential link
1992 – 1997
U.S. Dominance

66. Triangular relationship. Optimally trying to have good relations with both other
players, or minimally try to avoid having hostile relations with both other players.
Try to prevent close cooperation between the other two players.
TRIPOLAR SYSTEM
Prevention of good
relations between other
two players
Models of International
System Structures
Maybe
today…
EU,
USA,
Asia

67. Four or more poles. The rules of the game are to oppose any actor or alliance that
threatens to become hegemonic. This is also the central principle of balance-of-
power politics. Optimally increase power and minimally preserve power.
MULTIPOLAR BALLANCE OF POWER
Models of International
System Structures
1815 - 1914
Maybe
today.

68. +
New World Order Theories
After the Cold War (1991  today), there was severe
rearrangements in relationships and global power centers;
movements that still occur in the present. In the new reality,
various theories have emerged about the new world order. We
will discuss some of the most relevant…

69. +
“The end of History” -- Fukuyama
In 1989, in an article entitled "The End
of History" published in "The National
Interest" the philosopher Francis
Fukuyama argued that, taking into
account the fall of the Berlin Wall,
the disintegration of the Soviet
Union and the gradual entry China the
global capitalist economic
environment, it was evident that the
capitalist liberalism prevailed. It was
a matter of time that all countries
adopt this model, which would end the
great conflict.

70. +
 Today, nearly 25 years after the fall of the
USSR, it is known that there is no
unanimity by the "end of history".
 The Neoliberalism (or free capitalism)
allowed the emergence of prosperous
societies, but is still unable to process the
number of conflicts that remain.
 The Global neoliberalism can create as
many conflicts as it solves and does not
necessarily lead to more prosperous and
ordered societies.
 There are other forces (religious
fundamentalism, nationalism) that are
outside the traditional ideological
confrontations, and whose actions can not
process or assimilate neoliberalism easier
and faster.
“The end of History” - FAILURES
POVERTY PERSISTS IN
A FREE CAPITALIST WORLD!!

71. +
Tripolar world
This theory stated that the world of the twenty-first
century would be defined by the imposed order from
three poles of political and military economic power and
its peripheral regions of influence. They are based on
the importance of trade blocs how the economy is
globalized. These three poles are:
 The American (U.S.A.): the nations of NAFTA
Fundamentally USA and Canada, having Latin
America as a peripheral region of influence.
 The European pole: constituted by the European
Union, having as peripheral regions of influence to the
Balkans, Africa, the Middle East and Russia.
 The polo Dragons: consisting Japan China South
Korea and Taiwan, having as the peripheral regions to
the rest of Asia

72. +
The criticisms of this model are multiple:
 Ignores such place that can occupy India, the
second most populous country on earth, where it
has been conducting an equivalent to China's
economic revolution.
 Likewise speak of a consolidated in the Far East
polo tries to ignore that each of these countries
has its own policies and interests
 China's relations with Japan and Taiwan are
often very tense.
 On the other hand consider that pole like a single,
solid entity has no relation to reality.
Tripolar world - FAILURES

73. +
The clash of civilization
-- Hungtington
In 1993 in an article entitled “The Clash of
Civilizations" in Foreign Affairs, Samuel Huntington
argues that the world is divided into cultural and
religious backgrounds who have followed
different trends and are going to confront in the
future. Huntington predicted that the main impact
will be between the Christian Western
civilization and Islamic civilization.

74. +
 The definition of civilizations is questionable, for
example Huntington speaks of Latin American
civilization without considering the enormous
diversity among indigenous majority countries (Bolivia
and Guatemala); the mostly mestizos (Mexico) and
mostly creoles (Argentina and Chile). Also talking
about African civilization is a simplification and
failed vision.
 There is not a theoretical basis for conceptualizing the
term civilization, weakening the main approach of the
theory.
 The Civilization concept revolves mainly around
religion but also integrates economic elements, Ex:
we can´t say Latin American civilization is equal to the
European- Christian civilization.
The clash of civilization
-- FAILURES

75. +
As can be seen the three previous theories
are not enough to set an accurate vision of
the new world order.

76. +
Centripetal and
Centrifugal Forces

77. +
Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces
 This model considers that the main contemporary conflicts and
structures of the international system depend on the tensions
and balances among the countries.
According to the physical principles, centrifugal forces are those
that tend to disperse, and centripetal forces are those that tend to
unite or cohere.

78. + C&C Forces Model
Centripetal
Economic blocs
Colective security
organizations
Globalization and
neoliberalism
Centrifugal
Nationalism
Alterglobalization
Fundamentalism
Terrorism

79. +
Centripetal Forces (Integration)
Economic blocs: free
commere among its memers,
lower arancels, markets growth
and market diversification. Free
flow of merchandise, investment,
services and sometimes
populations.

80. +Collective security organizations: The only
collective security organization that persists nowadays is NATO
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) formed by the USA,
Canada and Western Europe. During the Cold War, Warsaw
Pact was another example. The first effective military operation
for NATO was a collective attack in Afghanistan after Sept. 11,
2001. Today, many critics say there is no need for the existence
of NATO, since it´s major enemy (Warsaw Pact) has
disappeared.

81. +
Globalization and neoliberalism: The
concept of Globalization includes many aspects of
the contemporary life, such as economics, culture,
society and politics.
 Lifestyles standardization
 Global instant communications
 Cultural manifestations: music, cinema,
 Consumerism and products expansion
 Massive expression of public opinion
 Global markets

82. +
Nationalism: it is the seek of a nation for
creating their own state or to be recognized
with an especific status.
 Sesession: a nation or territory pretends to
separate from a state, in order to create a new
independent state
Quebec in Canada
 Irredetism: a states tries to incorporate
populations of its same nation (culture), that are
located in another country
Chechenia in Pakistan / India
 Autonomism: a nation pretends to have a
special status, acording to it´s characteristics
(culture) but without trying to become an
independent country.
Kurds in Turkey
Tamils in Sri Lanka
CENTRIFUGAL FORCES (Dispersion)

83. +
Alterglobalism: it considers that there is not a single
globalized world, but there is a diversity of traditions
and lifestiles.
 Big Multinationals (MNC´s) are devasting the world
resources.
 Defend diversity: cultural, lingüistic, biodiversity, and
even food diversity..
 Protests against the most powerful countries.
 Tend to be anarquical and against industrialization.

84. +
Fundamentalism: strict
interpretation of the religious or
ideological texts. It includes also
political intentions.
 Christian fundamentalism
 Muslim fundamentalism
 Marxism
Terrorism: It works as a tool or a way
for a small group of individuals that pretend
political interests and use violence in order
to get them. Generally attack against
civilians, with the interest of creating a
state of panic, and taking control of their
institutions.

85. How have authors
defined the world
dynamics ?
MAIN THEORIES OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

86. +
Theories and Perspectives about the
World
Realism Liberalism
Realism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Marxism
Other theoriesEmphasis on POWER Emphasis on PRINCIPLES
Sovereingty
Military Power
Geography
Natural Resourcess
Industrial capacity
Population
Diplomacy
Government Strength
Freedom
Human Rights
Development
Cooperation
Education
Environment
Democracy
Disarmament
Self-determination

87. +
Read chapters 1 and 3 from the text
book:
“International Politics on the World
Stage”
by John T. Rourke McGraw Hill
Please, answer the following
questions and discuss with your
classmates

88. +
 CHAPTER 1
 Why is important for us to understand world politics?
 Which countries depend more of international trade?
 Which country spends more on Health than on Education? (Mexico,
Canada, China or US)
 Which was the population for the 1960s (during Cold War)? 3billo
 Can a particular person anywhere in the world impact on the issues
of a country? How?
 What is a policy maker and what do they do?
 In International Relations Theories are realism and liberalism similar
or opposite?
 Mention the key concepts for Realism and Liberalism and how each
theory perceives the conflict.

89. +
CHAPTER 3
 Which are the tree main levels of analysis in World Politics?
 Which factors are considered for Individual Level?
 Which issues are considered for the Biological Factor? Mention an
example of each one.
 Is Ego and Ambition an important factor for an politician? Why?
 Which aspects are considered as part of the State-Level Analysis?
 What is a bureaucracy?
 For the international or systemic perspective, which are the main models
of Power Relations among countries? Explain