DEFINITION AND MAJOR ACTORS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Definition
International relations = relations that take place across national boundaries. A better term is
world politics.
Major conflicts: who are the actors?
Ukraine – Russia
o States: USA, Poland, Slovakia, China, African countries (the entire world is
involved)
o International organizations: NATO, IMF, OPEC, WHO, WTO, UN etc.
o NGOs defending the rights of the refugees and providing humanitarian aid,
doctors without borders, Wagner group, Rebels group etc.
Israel – Palestine
o Hamas, USA, UK, Lebanon, Iran, Weapon Industry, NGOs, The International
Committee of the Red Cross, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, The international
Criminal Court.
State = a centralized political organization that imposes and enforces rules over a population
within a territory and has the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
To become a state, you need:
A territory
A population living on the territory.
A government who are exercising authority over the population who are living on the
territory.
You must have the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
Examples: Taiwan, Kosovo, Palestine.
Constitutive and declaratory theory
Constitutive theory
= an entity is only considered a state if it’s recognized by other states, as recognition is not
automatic. Without recognition, it lacks legal rights and statehood.
Problem in world politics: there is no central authority to decide state recognition.
Each state independently determines whether to recognize an entity as a state.
E.g., Taiwan, once a part of China, has become independent under the Republic of
China. Any country recognizing Taiwan risks facing non-recognition by China.
Declaratory theory
= statehood exists independently of recognition. You only need the 4 elements to become a
state. This is mainly to establish diplomatic relations with other states.
E.g., Vatican City is recognized as a state, because it has the 4 elements to become a
state.
, 2. Major actors in international organizations
International organizations = always established by states. When countries don’t recognize a
state, they can block their application to enter an international organization.
Established by states (membership limited exclusively or primarily to states)
By means of treaty
Established under international law not national law.
Organs with a distinct will (you will have to create your own identity)
International legal personality (you will have your own rights)
Good examples of international organizations: IMF, OECD, OPEC, WHO, WTO, NATO, UN, EU,
World Bank etc.
Bad examples:
UNICEF: not established by states, but by the General Assembly of the UN. It has not
a separate legal personality, but it remains an organ within the UN.
G8, G7, G20
Classifications of international organizations
1) Open versus closed international organizations
Open: any state can apply for membership, but acceptance is not guaranteed.
E.g., UN, WHO, WTO
Closed: membership is restricted from the start based on specific criteria: geography, wealth,
trade/resources, membership in other organizations, religion.
E.g., EU, Council of Europe, African Union
2) Supranational versus intergovernmental international organizations
Supranational: member states delegate sovereignty to an international organization, where
decisions are made my majority vote and can be binding even against a member state’s will.
These decisions may also be made by independent experts and are legally binding for all
member states.
E.g., EU, Security Council
Intergovernmental: doesn’t require member states to transfer sovereignty, all members
must agree. They can either have veto power, create legally binding decisions for those in
favor through majority voting, or issue non-binding recommendations.
E.g., WHO, NAFTA
3) Functional versus political international organizations
Functional: they are created for very specific (technical) functions. They have very specific
goals and objectives, such as protecting human health.
E.g., OPEC, IMF
,Political: they have general objectives. They have broad goals like the UN, they want to
handle all policies areas.
E.g., UN, EU, African Union
NATO is between political and functional.
International non-governmental organizations
= established by and composed of private, non-state international actors. They are
established under national law by means of contract and not by means of treaty.
E.g., Nestlé, Greenpeace
Different categories of NGOs
Private sector economic organizations (multinationals own a significant part of and
facilitate in operations other than the one in which it is based)
NGOs with explicit economic, political, or social agendas (e.g., Amnesty International,
Greenpeace)
NGOs that attempt to avoid all political rules, such as the Red Cross.
Terrorist and Criminal organizations or networks.
Individuals
= can play a role, but they will do this in an indirect matter. They have influence because of
their title:
Vladimir Putin
Ursula Von Der Leyen
Mahatma Ghandi
Joe Biden
Mark Zuckerberg
3. Theories on international relations
Realism
Actors: states
Dynamics: power
Image: billiard game
Philosophy: Thomas Hobbes
Ideology: Conservatism
The actors in international organizations are the states. Each state wants to gain more power
in international relations, this has always been a struggle for more power (image: billiard
game). This is based on the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. The ideology on which this theory
is based on is conservatism.
Liberalism or pluralism
Actors: various actors
Dynamics: complex relations
Image: spiderweb
, Philosophy: H. Grotius
Ideology: liberalism
There are various actors in international organizations, and they have all a role to play. They
work together because there is greater interdependency. It’s about cooperation where you
create a sort of spiderweb between all those actors. This is based on the philosophy of H.
Grotius (need for common rules and cooperation). The ideology on which this theory is
based on is liberalism. They emphasize the need for cooperation.
Economic structuralism
Actors: classes
Dynamics: exploitation
Image: pyramid
Philosophy: Karl Marx, J-J. Rousseau
Ideology: radical
Major actors are the classes. It’s about the struggle between the class who have everything
(the Bourgeoisie) and the class who has nothing (the Proletarians). The class who has
everything exploit the class who has nothing. It’s based on the ideas of J-J. Rousseau and Karl
Marx. The ideology on which this theory is based on is radical.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: PEACE AND
SECURITY
1. United Nations
1.1 Some general features and basics
The origin of the UN
United Nations = international organization, created in 1945, shortly after the end of WWII.
The UN was formed by 51 countries in order to encourage resolution of international
conflicts without war and to form policies on international issues.
Initiative: Churchill (UK) and Roosevelt (USA)
In 1945: a conference in San Francisco to join the UN.
The 5 main members of the UN with veto power:
USA
UK
China
France
Russia
The objectives of the UN
The UN is a multi-purpose organization:
Maintenance of international peace and security: prevent conflicts, resolve disputes,
and address global threats.
Promote respect for human rights: promote dignity, equality, and human rights.
Advance development: developing friendly relations among nations.
1. Definition
International relations = relations that take place across national boundaries. A better term is
world politics.
Major conflicts: who are the actors?
Ukraine – Russia
o States: USA, Poland, Slovakia, China, African countries (the entire world is
involved)
o International organizations: NATO, IMF, OPEC, WHO, WTO, UN etc.
o NGOs defending the rights of the refugees and providing humanitarian aid,
doctors without borders, Wagner group, Rebels group etc.
Israel – Palestine
o Hamas, USA, UK, Lebanon, Iran, Weapon Industry, NGOs, The International
Committee of the Red Cross, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, The international
Criminal Court.
State = a centralized political organization that imposes and enforces rules over a population
within a territory and has the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
To become a state, you need:
A territory
A population living on the territory.
A government who are exercising authority over the population who are living on the
territory.
You must have the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
Examples: Taiwan, Kosovo, Palestine.
Constitutive and declaratory theory
Constitutive theory
= an entity is only considered a state if it’s recognized by other states, as recognition is not
automatic. Without recognition, it lacks legal rights and statehood.
Problem in world politics: there is no central authority to decide state recognition.
Each state independently determines whether to recognize an entity as a state.
E.g., Taiwan, once a part of China, has become independent under the Republic of
China. Any country recognizing Taiwan risks facing non-recognition by China.
Declaratory theory
= statehood exists independently of recognition. You only need the 4 elements to become a
state. This is mainly to establish diplomatic relations with other states.
E.g., Vatican City is recognized as a state, because it has the 4 elements to become a
state.
, 2. Major actors in international organizations
International organizations = always established by states. When countries don’t recognize a
state, they can block their application to enter an international organization.
Established by states (membership limited exclusively or primarily to states)
By means of treaty
Established under international law not national law.
Organs with a distinct will (you will have to create your own identity)
International legal personality (you will have your own rights)
Good examples of international organizations: IMF, OECD, OPEC, WHO, WTO, NATO, UN, EU,
World Bank etc.
Bad examples:
UNICEF: not established by states, but by the General Assembly of the UN. It has not
a separate legal personality, but it remains an organ within the UN.
G8, G7, G20
Classifications of international organizations
1) Open versus closed international organizations
Open: any state can apply for membership, but acceptance is not guaranteed.
E.g., UN, WHO, WTO
Closed: membership is restricted from the start based on specific criteria: geography, wealth,
trade/resources, membership in other organizations, religion.
E.g., EU, Council of Europe, African Union
2) Supranational versus intergovernmental international organizations
Supranational: member states delegate sovereignty to an international organization, where
decisions are made my majority vote and can be binding even against a member state’s will.
These decisions may also be made by independent experts and are legally binding for all
member states.
E.g., EU, Security Council
Intergovernmental: doesn’t require member states to transfer sovereignty, all members
must agree. They can either have veto power, create legally binding decisions for those in
favor through majority voting, or issue non-binding recommendations.
E.g., WHO, NAFTA
3) Functional versus political international organizations
Functional: they are created for very specific (technical) functions. They have very specific
goals and objectives, such as protecting human health.
E.g., OPEC, IMF
,Political: they have general objectives. They have broad goals like the UN, they want to
handle all policies areas.
E.g., UN, EU, African Union
NATO is between political and functional.
International non-governmental organizations
= established by and composed of private, non-state international actors. They are
established under national law by means of contract and not by means of treaty.
E.g., Nestlé, Greenpeace
Different categories of NGOs
Private sector economic organizations (multinationals own a significant part of and
facilitate in operations other than the one in which it is based)
NGOs with explicit economic, political, or social agendas (e.g., Amnesty International,
Greenpeace)
NGOs that attempt to avoid all political rules, such as the Red Cross.
Terrorist and Criminal organizations or networks.
Individuals
= can play a role, but they will do this in an indirect matter. They have influence because of
their title:
Vladimir Putin
Ursula Von Der Leyen
Mahatma Ghandi
Joe Biden
Mark Zuckerberg
3. Theories on international relations
Realism
Actors: states
Dynamics: power
Image: billiard game
Philosophy: Thomas Hobbes
Ideology: Conservatism
The actors in international organizations are the states. Each state wants to gain more power
in international relations, this has always been a struggle for more power (image: billiard
game). This is based on the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. The ideology on which this theory
is based on is conservatism.
Liberalism or pluralism
Actors: various actors
Dynamics: complex relations
Image: spiderweb
, Philosophy: H. Grotius
Ideology: liberalism
There are various actors in international organizations, and they have all a role to play. They
work together because there is greater interdependency. It’s about cooperation where you
create a sort of spiderweb between all those actors. This is based on the philosophy of H.
Grotius (need for common rules and cooperation). The ideology on which this theory is
based on is liberalism. They emphasize the need for cooperation.
Economic structuralism
Actors: classes
Dynamics: exploitation
Image: pyramid
Philosophy: Karl Marx, J-J. Rousseau
Ideology: radical
Major actors are the classes. It’s about the struggle between the class who have everything
(the Bourgeoisie) and the class who has nothing (the Proletarians). The class who has
everything exploit the class who has nothing. It’s based on the ideas of J-J. Rousseau and Karl
Marx. The ideology on which this theory is based on is radical.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: PEACE AND
SECURITY
1. United Nations
1.1 Some general features and basics
The origin of the UN
United Nations = international organization, created in 1945, shortly after the end of WWII.
The UN was formed by 51 countries in order to encourage resolution of international
conflicts without war and to form policies on international issues.
Initiative: Churchill (UK) and Roosevelt (USA)
In 1945: a conference in San Francisco to join the UN.
The 5 main members of the UN with veto power:
USA
UK
China
France
Russia
The objectives of the UN
The UN is a multi-purpose organization:
Maintenance of international peace and security: prevent conflicts, resolve disputes,
and address global threats.
Promote respect for human rights: promote dignity, equality, and human rights.
Advance development: developing friendly relations among nations.
