Summary of the material for the final exam (2021) for Introduction to International Relations (IIRs).
INCLUDES notes on parts 1 to 5 of John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens’ textbook “The
Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (8th Edition)”,
introduction and chapters 2 to 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 28 and 19 (Total: 148 pages).
1
“The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International
Relations (8th Edition)” by John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia
Owens - Notes
Table of Contents
Part 1: International Relations in a Global Era 2
Introduction: From International Politics to World Politics 2
Part 2: The Historical Context 10
Chapter 2: The Rise of Modern International Order 10
Chapter 3: International History of the Twentieth Century 16
Chapter 4: From the End of the Cold War to a New World Dis-Order? 25
Chapter 5: Rising Powers and Emerging Global Order 34
Part 3: Theories of World Politics 43
Chapter 6: Liberal Internationalism 43
Chapter 7: Marxist Theories of International Relations 48
Chapter 8: Realism 57
Chapter 9: Feminism 64
Chapter 10: Postcolonial and Decolonial Approaches 72
Chapter 11: Poststructuralism 83
Chapter 12: Social Constructivism 91
Part 4: Structures and Processes 99
Chapter 14: War and World Politics 99
Chapter 18: Race in World Politics 108
Chapter 20: International Organizations in World Politics 116
Chapter 22: NGOs in World Politics 124
Part 5: International Issues 132
Chapter 28: Terrorism and Globalization 132
Chapter 29: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction 139
, 2
Part 1: International Relations in a Global Era
Introduction: From International Politics to World Politics
Reader’s Guide
World politics in a global era is controversial. There is a dispute over what “globalization” really
means, because:
1. The main features of contemporary world politics are different from the past.
2. Much of the world is experiencing a backlash against “neoliberal globalization”.
Globalization (Interpretation #1): The process of increasing interconnectedness among societies (i.e.
events in one part of the world have effects on people in societies far away).
OR
Globalization (Interpretation #2): The ideology associated with the current phase of the world
economy (“neo-liberal capitalism”, since the late 1970s).
The main theoretical accounts of world politics see globalization differently:
➔ The latest manifestation of global capitalism’s growth.
➔ The representation of a fundamental transformation of world politics requires a new
understanding.
TEXTBOOK THREE MAIN AIMS:
1. To offer an overview of world politics (global era).
2. To summarize the main approaches to understanding contemporary world politics.
3. To provide material to develop an understanding of the main structures/issues defining world
politics today.
TEXTBOOK BRIEF SUMMARY:
● Part 1: Provide context for global politics and international relations (IRs); offer different views.
● Part 2: Examine the important historical background to the contemporary world.
● Part 3: Give a detailed account of world politics’ main theories.
● Part 4: The main structures/processes that shape the central contours of contemporary world
politics the most.
● Part 5: Deals with the main policy issues in a globalized world.
From International Politics to World Politics
“World politics” is a more inclusive phrase than “IRs” or “international politics”.
➔ World politics is interested in a very wide set of actors and political relations (institutions or
organizations), not just those among nation States.
➔ The relations among transnational corporations, governments or international organizations
(IOs) is just as important as states and other political actors.
➔ World politics thinks about “politics” and “power relations” as broad categories.
The Study of International Relations
IRs is an exciting and diverse field of study (it addresses the most pressing problems and its key
concepts are generally the most controversial).
➔ Highly Diverse: Various subfields/specialisms and regions.
, 3
➔ Highly Interdisciplinary: Draws on theoretical and methodological traditions from different
fields.
History had a greater Political science developed a greater More attention to why IRs
influence on IRs. → influence. → neglected non-Western
● Early decades ● More recent decade histories and experiences.
● In Britain ● Post World War Two (WWII) ● In and outside
● In the US (United States). the US.
1. Narrowed the range of acceptable opportunities to study IRs. 1. Transition from Eurocentric
2. Excessive focus on US foreign policy approaches to developing global IRs in
world politics
There are important debates on how academic disciplines are formed, particularly the more
recently-formed IRs.
1. In 1919, the Department of International Politics was established at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
This was done with hopes to prevent a future war, following World War One (WWI). It was a commitment to
change the world (make it a better place).
↓
In different contexts, the development of IRs can be viewed in a positive (push for world peace) or negative
light (international hierarchy; race/racism in world politics).
↑ ↑
2. The emergence of IRs came as a result of the history of 3. Although women thinkers were at the
colonial administration and the study of imperialism. This centre of the development of IRs, they
discipline’s development was advanced by the past beliefs in are almost completely excluded in the
racial supremacy; maintaining and justifying white supremacy discipline’s history.
in world politics.
Theories of World Politics
The basic problem of understanding contemporary world politics is that there is so much material to
look at. It becomes difficult to distinguish what matters and what does not.
So, it is essential to study history and theories.
➔ Theory: A simplifying device that helps decide which historical or contemporary facts matter
more than others when trying to develop an understanding of the world. It is impossible to
decide something without using some sort of theory. (e.g. common sense, upbringing, Social
class, media, etc..).
➔ One’s theoretical assumptions are indirect. It is far better to be as direct as possible when
thinking about world politics.
INCLUDES notes on parts 1 to 5 of John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens’ textbook “The
Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (8th Edition)”,
introduction and chapters 2 to 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 28 and 19 (Total: 148 pages).
1
“The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International
Relations (8th Edition)” by John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia
Owens - Notes
Table of Contents
Part 1: International Relations in a Global Era 2
Introduction: From International Politics to World Politics 2
Part 2: The Historical Context 10
Chapter 2: The Rise of Modern International Order 10
Chapter 3: International History of the Twentieth Century 16
Chapter 4: From the End of the Cold War to a New World Dis-Order? 25
Chapter 5: Rising Powers and Emerging Global Order 34
Part 3: Theories of World Politics 43
Chapter 6: Liberal Internationalism 43
Chapter 7: Marxist Theories of International Relations 48
Chapter 8: Realism 57
Chapter 9: Feminism 64
Chapter 10: Postcolonial and Decolonial Approaches 72
Chapter 11: Poststructuralism 83
Chapter 12: Social Constructivism 91
Part 4: Structures and Processes 99
Chapter 14: War and World Politics 99
Chapter 18: Race in World Politics 108
Chapter 20: International Organizations in World Politics 116
Chapter 22: NGOs in World Politics 124
Part 5: International Issues 132
Chapter 28: Terrorism and Globalization 132
Chapter 29: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction 139
, 2
Part 1: International Relations in a Global Era
Introduction: From International Politics to World Politics
Reader’s Guide
World politics in a global era is controversial. There is a dispute over what “globalization” really
means, because:
1. The main features of contemporary world politics are different from the past.
2. Much of the world is experiencing a backlash against “neoliberal globalization”.
Globalization (Interpretation #1): The process of increasing interconnectedness among societies (i.e.
events in one part of the world have effects on people in societies far away).
OR
Globalization (Interpretation #2): The ideology associated with the current phase of the world
economy (“neo-liberal capitalism”, since the late 1970s).
The main theoretical accounts of world politics see globalization differently:
➔ The latest manifestation of global capitalism’s growth.
➔ The representation of a fundamental transformation of world politics requires a new
understanding.
TEXTBOOK THREE MAIN AIMS:
1. To offer an overview of world politics (global era).
2. To summarize the main approaches to understanding contemporary world politics.
3. To provide material to develop an understanding of the main structures/issues defining world
politics today.
TEXTBOOK BRIEF SUMMARY:
● Part 1: Provide context for global politics and international relations (IRs); offer different views.
● Part 2: Examine the important historical background to the contemporary world.
● Part 3: Give a detailed account of world politics’ main theories.
● Part 4: The main structures/processes that shape the central contours of contemporary world
politics the most.
● Part 5: Deals with the main policy issues in a globalized world.
From International Politics to World Politics
“World politics” is a more inclusive phrase than “IRs” or “international politics”.
➔ World politics is interested in a very wide set of actors and political relations (institutions or
organizations), not just those among nation States.
➔ The relations among transnational corporations, governments or international organizations
(IOs) is just as important as states and other political actors.
➔ World politics thinks about “politics” and “power relations” as broad categories.
The Study of International Relations
IRs is an exciting and diverse field of study (it addresses the most pressing problems and its key
concepts are generally the most controversial).
➔ Highly Diverse: Various subfields/specialisms and regions.
, 3
➔ Highly Interdisciplinary: Draws on theoretical and methodological traditions from different
fields.
History had a greater Political science developed a greater More attention to why IRs
influence on IRs. → influence. → neglected non-Western
● Early decades ● More recent decade histories and experiences.
● In Britain ● Post World War Two (WWII) ● In and outside
● In the US (United States). the US.
1. Narrowed the range of acceptable opportunities to study IRs. 1. Transition from Eurocentric
2. Excessive focus on US foreign policy approaches to developing global IRs in
world politics
There are important debates on how academic disciplines are formed, particularly the more
recently-formed IRs.
1. In 1919, the Department of International Politics was established at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
This was done with hopes to prevent a future war, following World War One (WWI). It was a commitment to
change the world (make it a better place).
↓
In different contexts, the development of IRs can be viewed in a positive (push for world peace) or negative
light (international hierarchy; race/racism in world politics).
↑ ↑
2. The emergence of IRs came as a result of the history of 3. Although women thinkers were at the
colonial administration and the study of imperialism. This centre of the development of IRs, they
discipline’s development was advanced by the past beliefs in are almost completely excluded in the
racial supremacy; maintaining and justifying white supremacy discipline’s history.
in world politics.
Theories of World Politics
The basic problem of understanding contemporary world politics is that there is so much material to
look at. It becomes difficult to distinguish what matters and what does not.
So, it is essential to study history and theories.
➔ Theory: A simplifying device that helps decide which historical or contemporary facts matter
more than others when trying to develop an understanding of the world. It is impossible to
decide something without using some sort of theory. (e.g. common sense, upbringing, Social
class, media, etc..).
➔ One’s theoretical assumptions are indirect. It is far better to be as direct as possible when
thinking about world politics.
