Introduction to International Relations
Final exam
Counts for 60%
Review session - October 20th
Test date – October 27th
Final exam based on material in textbook and lectures
Multiple choice exam
40 questions – 27 questions correct for a passing grade
- Dates super general
- Exam on actual lecture
- Knowledge
- Application
- No need to know all details of historical cases mentioned in class or in
textbook
- No need to know all textbook material, but what complements or
support lecture material
Lecture 2 – Concepts and theories surrounding IR
Concepts
Concepts are contested because;
- Their definition is rarely consensual
- Their meaning is not fixed in time
- Of ethno-centrism (guided by western influences)
But concepts are useful to;
- Make sense of complex realities
- Make sure we are talking about the same things
- Ensure some degree of constructive dialogue
- Develop and evaluate theories
Theories
We need theories because real life is too complex
- To many data points
- Too many variables
- Too many moving parts
What does theory do
- Goes beyond more mere description
- Is an explanation: an answer to ‘why did this happen’
- Interprets data
- Identifies patters, regularities across time and space
What are international relations
Who, what type of actors are we talking about?
According to international law (Montevideo convention on the right and
duties of states)
- The state as a person of international law should possess the following
qualifications;
a) A permanent population – no refugees
, b) A defined territory
c) Government
d) And a capacity to enter into relations with the other states –
diplomatic mission
But problems;
- Declarative vs. constitutive theory of statehood
- How the state is created in practice matters – context of creation (war,
violence) influences if the states will recognise them
- Internal sovereignty: states monopolise some functions within its
territory – if only one state is recognised in the territory
Vs. external sovereignty: recognition and autonomy (de jure)
States are simply a unit of analysis – entities with well-defined
population, territory and recognised political authority over a
geographical space
Complicated scenarios
- A pseudo-state
- De facto-state
- Contested state
What the state is not
o Vs. a nation – a group of people that are united by some degree by
some common traits (language, culture, etc.)
- Nation state – a social construction created within another state (not an
actual reality)
o Vs. non-state actors
- Pirates, VOC, mercenaries
o State and sovereignty
- Failed/fragile states
- Globalisation
- Supra-national and global governance
- Disaggregated states
What, what type of relations are we interested in?
What are international relations?
Interactions
- War and peace, trade, international agreements
Bilateral (interaction in 2 states) vs. multilateral (interaction between
multiple states)
But in fact, any state actions (or inactions) which affect other states
Not just about interstate relations
- Transnational relations
- Non-state and sub-state actors
What are international relations?
International politics vs. national (or domestic) politics
- Also called level of analysis – framework is a type of theorising,
analytical tool to think and organise IR
a) International
b) National/domestic
c) Individual
, It matters from a theoretical perspective
National order vs. international anarchy
- No sovereign -> no clear authority -> no supranational authority
- War of all against all (Hobbes)
- Fear and I were born twins together (1588)
- Self help
Where, where are these actors interacting?
- Everywhere
- International organisations
Should we recognise the IEA (Islamic emirates of Afghanistan)?
Yes?
- Control and monopoly of the use of force
- Police and military force
- Acting government, bureaucracy
- Some (limited) diplomatic outreach
No?
- No official recognition from other states
- Legitimacy, Inclusive government? – It came by force, woman have no
good access to education
- Governance capacities? – Offered minimal services
Was ISIS a state?
Yes?
- Control and governance of large areas of territory
- Available tax revenue
- Police and military force
- Infrastructure services
No?
- No UN membership
- No recognition from other states
- Legitimacy?
- Fluctuating population – territory kept changing, people kept fleeing
- Limited state capacities
Lecture 3 – History of IR 1500 – 1989
History and IR
Historically, two overlapping fields (EH Carr)
- But separate disciplines
History is important for IR
- Background to contemporary events
- To distinguish continuity from change
- To provide the context behind theories & concepts
- State, nation, sovereignty, power
- Dating/benchmarking/periodisation of IR is already interpreting &
theorising
Final exam
Counts for 60%
Review session - October 20th
Test date – October 27th
Final exam based on material in textbook and lectures
Multiple choice exam
40 questions – 27 questions correct for a passing grade
- Dates super general
- Exam on actual lecture
- Knowledge
- Application
- No need to know all details of historical cases mentioned in class or in
textbook
- No need to know all textbook material, but what complements or
support lecture material
Lecture 2 – Concepts and theories surrounding IR
Concepts
Concepts are contested because;
- Their definition is rarely consensual
- Their meaning is not fixed in time
- Of ethno-centrism (guided by western influences)
But concepts are useful to;
- Make sense of complex realities
- Make sure we are talking about the same things
- Ensure some degree of constructive dialogue
- Develop and evaluate theories
Theories
We need theories because real life is too complex
- To many data points
- Too many variables
- Too many moving parts
What does theory do
- Goes beyond more mere description
- Is an explanation: an answer to ‘why did this happen’
- Interprets data
- Identifies patters, regularities across time and space
What are international relations
Who, what type of actors are we talking about?
According to international law (Montevideo convention on the right and
duties of states)
- The state as a person of international law should possess the following
qualifications;
a) A permanent population – no refugees
, b) A defined territory
c) Government
d) And a capacity to enter into relations with the other states –
diplomatic mission
But problems;
- Declarative vs. constitutive theory of statehood
- How the state is created in practice matters – context of creation (war,
violence) influences if the states will recognise them
- Internal sovereignty: states monopolise some functions within its
territory – if only one state is recognised in the territory
Vs. external sovereignty: recognition and autonomy (de jure)
States are simply a unit of analysis – entities with well-defined
population, territory and recognised political authority over a
geographical space
Complicated scenarios
- A pseudo-state
- De facto-state
- Contested state
What the state is not
o Vs. a nation – a group of people that are united by some degree by
some common traits (language, culture, etc.)
- Nation state – a social construction created within another state (not an
actual reality)
o Vs. non-state actors
- Pirates, VOC, mercenaries
o State and sovereignty
- Failed/fragile states
- Globalisation
- Supra-national and global governance
- Disaggregated states
What, what type of relations are we interested in?
What are international relations?
Interactions
- War and peace, trade, international agreements
Bilateral (interaction in 2 states) vs. multilateral (interaction between
multiple states)
But in fact, any state actions (or inactions) which affect other states
Not just about interstate relations
- Transnational relations
- Non-state and sub-state actors
What are international relations?
International politics vs. national (or domestic) politics
- Also called level of analysis – framework is a type of theorising,
analytical tool to think and organise IR
a) International
b) National/domestic
c) Individual
, It matters from a theoretical perspective
National order vs. international anarchy
- No sovereign -> no clear authority -> no supranational authority
- War of all against all (Hobbes)
- Fear and I were born twins together (1588)
- Self help
Where, where are these actors interacting?
- Everywhere
- International organisations
Should we recognise the IEA (Islamic emirates of Afghanistan)?
Yes?
- Control and monopoly of the use of force
- Police and military force
- Acting government, bureaucracy
- Some (limited) diplomatic outreach
No?
- No official recognition from other states
- Legitimacy, Inclusive government? – It came by force, woman have no
good access to education
- Governance capacities? – Offered minimal services
Was ISIS a state?
Yes?
- Control and governance of large areas of territory
- Available tax revenue
- Police and military force
- Infrastructure services
No?
- No UN membership
- No recognition from other states
- Legitimacy?
- Fluctuating population – territory kept changing, people kept fleeing
- Limited state capacities
Lecture 3 – History of IR 1500 – 1989
History and IR
Historically, two overlapping fields (EH Carr)
- But separate disciplines
History is important for IR
- Background to contemporary events
- To distinguish continuity from change
- To provide the context behind theories & concepts
- State, nation, sovereignty, power
- Dating/benchmarking/periodisation of IR is already interpreting &
theorising
