DATE/CORNELL NOTE NO: Cornell Note No.

TOPIC: Introduction to International Relations

Questions/Main Ideas: NOTES

-Global politics is ‘global’ in a sense that politics can a) take place beyond one domestic arena— national or regional—or b) bring
impact all over the world and most— if not all— people.
What makes global politics ‘global’?
-With these characterizations, it can be argued that the world is becoming a 'borderless society', but the role of states as autonomous
political actors remains evident.

-Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) coined the term ‘international relations’ to signify the relations of political units— defined by their
International Relations, International Politics, and territories— who have more explicit national identities.
Inter-state Politics. -In the present time, because most nations or states are, or in the process of becoming, nation-states, ‘international politics’ can also be
called ‘inter-state politics’.

-The Billiard Ball Model of World Politics demonstrates the general state-centric framework in global politics. It signifies that a) there is
a separation between local politics and international politics and b) power distribution among states shape their interactions with one
Billiard Ball Model of World Politics another.
-Nevertheless, because of the advances that took place and are developing—such as the increasing transnationalism and interdependence
of states—the model and its implications have been questioned.

-Globalization plays a vital role in the world of politics. It manifests its influences in various dimensions such as Economic, Cultural,
and Political globalization.
-Hyperglobalists (individuals who believe in globalization’s, often exaggerated, impacts), sceptics (the ones who contradicts
Globalization
hyperglobalists’ views), and transformationalists (individuals who find themselves in the middle ground of discourse about
globalization) offer varying views regarding globalization’s realities and influences— or the lack of thereof— to the world and the
people.

-Realism and liberalism are the two mainstream perspectives on global politics. For example, they share similar positivism and state
Mainstream Perspectives on Global Politics relations sentiments— cooperation and conflict resolution. Liberalism, nevertheless, has a negative perception of global politics to
realism. The former emphasizes harmony and moral goodness, while the latter underscores conflict and struggles for power.

-A predominant alternative view from the mainstream perspectives was the Marxist approach, which highlighted the role and influences
of the economy on global politics.
However, new perspectives arose at the end of the Cold War, which challenged the prevalent mainstream perspective. Although
differences are evident, these new perspectives share commonalities in a) contesting the mainstream's positivist point of view and b)
Critical Perspectives on Global Politics
disputing the persistent and prevailing structures of the contemporary world and championing the interest of the marginalized sector the
society.
-Several examples of these critical perspectives are social constructivism, poststructuralism, postcolonialists, feminism, and green
politics.

-The ever-changing landscape of world politics concerns the developments and endurance of several ideas and actualities in the aspects
of power, security, and justice.
-Present viewpoint on power raises two questions: who has power, and what power is it? These queries explore the constantly changing
structures, forms, and characteristics of power in global politics.
Power, Security, and Justice
-Because of the dangers present from national and local to international levels, security has become one of the primary concerns in
politics. Issues such as security dilemmas pervade the possible developments of a state's national security.
-As a collective, ‘borderless’ society, greater attention towards moral values is given. The idea of justice at the global level encompasses
that such a concept must be employed and maintained equally regardless of background.

How did the ‘Modern World’ come into being? -The world's history traces back its origin from the rise of the earliest civilizations across the globe that thrived through agriculture and
the development of technologies. In 1500, however, the West rose to become significantly dominant given their possession of sovereign
states, especially the industrialized ones. Furthermore, the rise of imperialism amplified the West's influence, particularly in Europe.
 During the belle époque, economic globalization, cross-border migration, and technological advancements occurred.

-World War I (WWI) began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, a nephew of an Austrian Emperor, in 1914 by a group
of Serbian nationalists called Black Hand. It triggered proclamations of war by Austria-Hungary and Russia and their allies— Britain
and France for Russia (together, the association of these states is called ‘Triple Alliance’) and Germany for Austria-Hungary (combined,
they are regarded as 'Central Powers'). In the following years, other states had become involved too, such as Turkey (1914) and Bulgaria
World War I (1915) favouring the Central Powers and, siding the Triple Alliance, Serbia, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Japan (1914) as well as Italy
(1915), Romania, Portugal (1916), Greece, and USA (1917).
-Besides Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination, several other speculations regarding the cause of WWI are posited, such as the
'German problem', the 'Eastern question', imperialism, and nationalism. WWI was the first total war in recorded history affecting
individuals across countries and their day-to-day undertakings.

- World War II (WWII) was triggered by the annexation of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in Poland in 1939. France and UK then
declared war on Germany days after which were drawn in Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands in Germany's lighting war
in 1940. It was the participation of the USSR and USA that shaped the outcomes of the war.
World War II
-Although Nazi Germany's invasion was the most palpable reason, other factors are theorized to be the cause of WWII. The peace
settlements of WWI, the global economic crisis during 1929-1933, Nazi expansionism, and the expansion of Japan in Asia were the
main components of WWII.

At the end of WWI, European-ruled areas were no longer held under control. Such turn of events was caused by several factors, such as
When and why did Empires end?
the rise of the USA in the capitalist West and the greater struggle against colonialism of the occupied regions such as Asia and Africa.

-The Cold War occurred, from a realist perspective, because USA and Soviet Union’s common geopolitical interests and, at the same
time, ideological differences. However, the orthodox elucidation of the Cold War pinpoints the Soviet Union at fault because of their
imperial aspirations characterized by their domination over Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, a revisionist viewpoint explains that the Cold
The Cold War War resulted from Soviet expansionism in Eastern Europe to create a buffer zone and witness Germany's downfall.
-The origins of communism's downfall and Cold War's ending remain indefinite. There are several factors; however, that could provide
elucidations such as the structural weaknesses of Soviet-style communism; Gorbachev's reform process impacts; US policy and the
'Second' World War; and economic and cultural globalization

From 1990 until today, changes in trends and developments continue to occur. The post-Cold War world finds interest in establishing
harmony among and between states guided by universally accepted moral values and international norms. Dangers and challenges
outside one's state also bring positive effects as these strengthen the bond and identity of one's society.
-Because of the 9/11 attack, there has been greater awareness and concern towards national security and the threats embedded in
A New World Order Since 1990 st
terrorism. In the 21 century, global concerns such as terrorism can be sparked by cultural and ethnic differences rather than customary
ideological or economic disputes.
Despite its vague roots, economic globalization continues to shift and take forms even though inequalities in wealth and resources persist
around the globe.

SUMMARY

Global politics present an interesting perspective in viewing, comprehending, and analyzing politics. It defines what can and cannot be considered national and world politics. In addition, it
recognizes how developments in the global arena can take effect in the local ground and, at the same time, how localize phenomena, actors, or entities influence the international scene.
Furthermore, global politics offers different frameworks in examining matters that it is concerned to have a deeper and more substantial understanding of the world. With such understanding,
one will make sense of the happenings from the past, present undertakings, and future projections. International politics suggest how crucial it is to take cognizance of the world beyond one's
state border, for politics persists and subsists across all levels, across the globe.

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