Context of International PoliticsOutline of LectureI. Historical Background: Evolution of the Modern SystemA. Treaty of Westphalia, European Empire, the World Wars, Cold WarB. Balance of Power and the International Syste POLS 2401 Edition 1C. m II. The International System and Machinery of International PoliticsA. The UN Systemi. Background, UN Charter, UN Main Bodies, the “UN System”III.Basic ConceptsA.The concept of SovereigntyB.Unilateralism versus Multilateralism Historical Background: Evolution of the Modern International System-Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and the European Empire-States emerged and colonialism occurred-The World Wars-Most of the fighting and destruction took place in Europe-The Cold WarBalance of Power Theory and the International System-The international system is defined by the number of major powers in the system. Countries ally with a power and “balance” one another.-Multipolar world: several world powers-European colonialism & World Wars, 1800-1945-Multiple powers in the System (Britain, Germany, France, Russia, US, Japan)-Bipolar world: two dominant world powers-Cold War, 1947-1989-Two powers balancing one another: US vs. USSR-Unipolar world: one major world power-Current period, 1989-now-One predominant power: US (but perhaps moving now to a more multipolar system due to uprising countries gaining power)The International System and Machinery of International Politics-The UN System-Background to the establishment of the United Nations: the League of Nations (1919) ( first attempt to promote peace), World WarsThe UN CharterFour Purposes of the UN-Maintain international peace and security-Develop friendly relations among nations-Achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural and humanitarian character; including the promotion of human rights-Be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations seeking the above goalsBasic Facts About the UN-UN members are sovereign states-There are 193 member countries-Funding: 6 countries contribute 56% of UN-Regular budget (%, 2014)(in millions)-US: 22% ($621)-Japan: 10.8% ($306)-Germany: 7.1% ($202)-France: 5.6% ($158)-UK: 5.2% ($146)-China: 5.1% ($145)*Total UN budget for 2014: 2.8 billion (amount based on the country’s ability to pay andon Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita)*Main UN Bodies-Security Council-Purpose: Maintain international peace and security-15 members:-5 permanent members: US, France, Russia, China, UK-10 elected members: (Current members: Argentina, Australia, Chad, Chile, Jordan, Lithuania¸ Luxembourg, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Rwanda)-Five permanent members get a veto-9 votes required for a passage of council decisions-General Assembly-All 193 countries are members-One country, one vote-most decisions not binding-Important decisions:-admission of new UN members-approval of the UN budget and assessments for contributions-election of non-permanent Security council members-Secretariat-Equivalent to the executive branch-Secretary-General-nominated by security council, elected by the general assembly-five year, renewable term-current secretary-general is Ban Ki-moon-Various functions:-administering peacekeeping operations, mediating international disputes, surveying economic and social trends, organizing international conferences, dealing with public relations and the mediaThe UN System: Specialized Agencies, Programs and FundsFood and Agriculture Organizations (FAO)International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)International Labor Organization (ILO)International Monetary Fund (IMF)UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)UN Development Program (UNDP)UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)UN Environment Program (UNEP)UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)UN Population Fund (UNFPA)World Food Program (WFP)World Health Organization (WHO)World Trade Organization (WTO)Sovereignty-Sovereignty = supreme authority-State sovereignty : the nation state is the supreme authority in the international system-3 basic elements of sovereignty:-legitimate authority: state is recognized as legitimate-supremacy: no higher authority than the state-territorial sovereignty: the state is defined also by territorial boundaries-Pros and Cons of SovereigntyPros: -Sovereignty allows democratic people to govern themselves-Sovereignty protects weak states from strong onesCons:-Sovereignty shields tyrants-Sovereignty makes international cooperation difficult-Unilateralism vs. Multilateralism -Unilateralism: Do it alone, US doesn’t need help, US cannot let its power be diluted in collective decision-making processes, International organizations are undemocratic, some situations require fast response (e.g. terrorism)-Multilateralism: cooperate with other nations, liberalism, there is value in world ruled by laws, allies can give good advice, we need material help and can’t do it alone, we need