Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary goal of the Concert of Europe system?
What was the primary goal of the Concert of Europe system?
What event led to the collapse of the League of Nations?
What event led to the collapse of the League of Nations?
What was the significance of World War I in the development of International Relations as a discipline?
What was the significance of World War I in the development of International Relations as a discipline?
Which of the following was NOT an ally during World War II?
Which of the following was NOT an ally during World War II?
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What was the primary outcome of the 'great debate' within International Relations?
What was the primary outcome of the 'great debate' within International Relations?
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What was established in 1945 as a supranational body?
What was established in 1945 as a supranational body?
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What was the main focus of International Relations during the war period?
What was the main focus of International Relations during the war period?
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What was the outcome of the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944?
What was the outcome of the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944?
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What was the characteristic of the international system post-1945?
What was the characteristic of the international system post-1945?
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What was the significance of Woodrow Wilson's chair at Aberystwyth, University of Wales in 1919?
What was the significance of Woodrow Wilson's chair at Aberystwyth, University of Wales in 1919?
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Study Notes
International System
- The international system is a comity of states that interact with each other.
- The interactions among states can be understood through the ordering principle, which positions or arranges sovereign states in their interactions.
Balance and Stability
- The Concert of Europe (1815-1900) was a system of agreements that maintained the status quo and stability.
- The collapse of this system led to World War I (1914-1919).
- During the interwar years (1919-1938), few states were happy with the status quo, leading to the rise of alliances (e.g., Allies: Britain, France, Russia, China, and the United States; Axis: Germany, Italy, and Japan).
International Relations and Global Governance
- The League of Nations (1920) was established as a system for global governance, marking the origin of International Relations as a discipline.
- The collapse of the League of Nations led to World War II (1939-1945).
- The United Nations Organisation (1945) was established to reinforce cooperation and coexistence among nations.
Nature of International System
- Conflict is a permanent feature of the international system.
- Warfare is endemic to human history and is likely to be a central problem in the future.
- This reflected the so-called first ‘great debate’ within International Relations.
Development of International Relations
- International Relations emerged as a distinct academic discipline and policy science in the US and Britain during the interwar period.
- The focus was on understanding the causes of war and the potential of supranational organisations.
- The Woodrow Wilson Chair at Aberystwyth, University of Wales (1919), was established to promote International Relations.
Post-WWII International Relations
- International Relations took on a global character, with each nation's interests inseparably bound up with those of all other nations.
- The focus shifted to international interests of peace, security, and development.
- Liberal Internationalism and Wilsonian Internationalism emerged, emphasizing self-determination, humanitarian intervention, and limited use of force.
Post-War Reconstruction and International Organisations
- The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) (1943-1947) assisted nations ravaged by World War II.
- UNRRA was discontinued in 1947, and unfinished projects were turned over to the International Refugee Organisation, the World Health Organisation, and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund.
- The Bretton Woods Conference (1944) established the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
International System Post-1945
- Universalism and cooperation emerged as key principles in the international system.
- Supranational organisations and international financial institutions played a significant role in maintaining global order.
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Description
This quiz covers the concepts of the International System, including the ordering principle, interactions among states, and the balance of power maintained through agreements. It also touches on the collapse of the system and the lead-up to World War I.
