Summary International and European relations

2021




International and
European Relations
PROF. A. PAUWELS

,Contents

1. Practical information............................................................................................................ 3
2. Major actors in international relations..................................................................................3
2.1 States............................................................................................................................ 3
2.2 International organizations.............................................................................................4
2.3 International (transnational) non-governmental organizations.......................................6
2.4 Individuals...................................................................................................................... 6
3. Theories on international organizations...............................................................................7
4. Peace and security.............................................................................................................. 9
4.1 United Nations............................................................................................................... 9
4.1.1 Some general features and basics..........................................................................9
4.1.2 The United Nations and the maintenance of international peace and security: The
security council...............................................................................................................13
4.2 North Atlantic Treaty Organization...............................................................................23
4.2.1 Some general features and basics........................................................................23
4.2.2 NATO and the maintenance of peace and security...............................................25
4.2.3 Evaluation: has NATO been successful?..............................................................31
4.3 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe..................................................31
4.3.1 Some general features and basics........................................................................31
4.3.2 OSCE and the maintenance of peace and security...............................................33
4.3.2 Evaluation.............................................................................................................37
5. Human Rights................................................................................................................... 38
5.1 The United Nations and the protection of human rights...............................................38
5.1.1 Some general features and basics........................................................................38
5.1.2 Protection of human rights (norm setting)..............................................................39
5.1.3 Enforcement..........................................................................................................41
5.2 Council of Europe........................................................................................................45
5.2.1 Some general features and basics........................................................................45
5.2.2 The Council of Europe and the protection of human rights....................................46
5.2.3 Enforcement of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
(1950) + Protocols (1, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).....................................................47



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, 5.2.4 Enforcement of European Social Charter (1961) + Revised Social Charter (1996)
....................................................................................................................................... 52
6. International Trade............................................................................................................ 53
6.1 The World Trade Organization.....................................................................................53
6.1.1 Some general features and basics........................................................................53
6.1.2 WTO Trade Policy Review (annexe 1)..................................................................58
6.1.3 WTO dispute settlement (annexe 2)......................................................................60
Examen................................................................................................................................. 65




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, 1. Practical information

Course material:
- slides and literature on Toledo
- Constitutions we have to download (we can use these for the exam):
o Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice
Charter of the United Nations
o North Atlantic Treaty
o Statute of the Council of Europe
o Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization

Objectives: this course aims at providing an introduction to International and European
Relations. It intends to familiarize the students with the principal theories in international
relations, the major actors in international relations, and their different ways of interaction.

Course content:
- Major actors in international relations
- Theories on international relations
- Dynamics in international relations:
- International conflicts
- International cooperation in the field of:
o Peace and security
o Trade
o Human rights

Evaluation: A written (closed-book) exam. The exam consists of knowledge,
understanding and application questions.



2. Major actors in international relations

2.1 States

features:
- defined territory : size doesn’t matter (Andorra)
- permanent population
- government: an entity exercising authority over the population
- capacity to enter into relations with other states
- recognition of states  2 theories
o constitutive theory: a state exists exclusively if other other states recognize
the state


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