STUDY UNIT 2: ACTORS IN
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
THE STATE & INTERNATIONAL
POLITICS
● International politics originates in differences on any issue that
affects more than one participant.
● It derives its nature from the fact that it deals with differences of
opinion of how things should be done.
Politics results from efforts to try to resolve such differences:
■ By subordinating wishes & demands of one participant
■ By reaching a compromise
Politics involves differences arising from the allocation of scarce
resources or means which people require in order to realise objectives.
They include:
● Monetary wealth
● Territory
● Raw materials
● Power
Politics conducted within the geographic borders of states:
, ● You find an authority (the government)
● Authority makes enforceable decisions about relations between the
particular state and other states
● They are the final arbitrator of differences within the borders of a
state.
CONCLUSION
● International politics refers to the process where states (and other
participants) differ from and compete with one another and
disputes are settled or remain unsolved
● This is done within a framework where no overall government acts
as an arbitrator
● However, there is a set of mutually accepted rules to lend
meaningful order to the process.
THE NATURE OF THE STATE
● State = Geographically confined spatial unit that is permanently
occupied by a population. It is governed by a central authority
(government) given the power to make binding decisions
(legislation) and to enforce those decisions within the geographic
borders of that particular state.
● Independent entities that decide their own form of government.
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
THE STATE & INTERNATIONAL
POLITICS
● International politics originates in differences on any issue that
affects more than one participant.
● It derives its nature from the fact that it deals with differences of
opinion of how things should be done.
Politics results from efforts to try to resolve such differences:
■ By subordinating wishes & demands of one participant
■ By reaching a compromise
Politics involves differences arising from the allocation of scarce
resources or means which people require in order to realise objectives.
They include:
● Monetary wealth
● Territory
● Raw materials
● Power
Politics conducted within the geographic borders of states:
, ● You find an authority (the government)
● Authority makes enforceable decisions about relations between the
particular state and other states
● They are the final arbitrator of differences within the borders of a
state.
CONCLUSION
● International politics refers to the process where states (and other
participants) differ from and compete with one another and
disputes are settled or remain unsolved
● This is done within a framework where no overall government acts
as an arbitrator
● However, there is a set of mutually accepted rules to lend
meaningful order to the process.
THE NATURE OF THE STATE
● State = Geographically confined spatial unit that is permanently
occupied by a population. It is governed by a central authority
(government) given the power to make binding decisions
(legislation) and to enforce those decisions within the geographic
borders of that particular state.
● Independent entities that decide their own form of government.
