Understanding International Relations

• International relations can be approached from legal, historical, or theoretical standpoints.
• Theories are based on observed patterns but predicting future events is complex.
• The legal approach offers the foundation, centering on the state and its recognition.
• Policies and conventions govern communication and relationships between states and citizens.
• International relations encompass personal, cross-border relations initiated by state leaders resulting in cross-border flows of tangible and intangible elements.
• Borders are fluid and complex to define.
• International relations split into those based on conflict and those rooted in peace.

Conflictual vs. Peaceful Relationships

• Until the 19th and 20th centuries, conflict was an accepted way to resolve international issues.
• Solving conflict through war is now illegal, according to the Charter of San Francisco.
• International law cannot be imposed unless sovereign states agree.
• Wars can be legal if authorized by the UN.
• Legitimacy can make warfare appear legal; the UN may use warfare to enforce action.

Peaceful Solutions to Conflict

• Peaceful solutions include embargos, treaties, and international courts.
• Embargos can strengthen dictators and harm populations.
• Military action is illegal since 1945, except for self-defense, humanitarian intervention, and UN missions.
• International courts offer judicial resolutions.
• Peaceful relations encompass economic, cultural, social, technological, and educational exchanges.

Key Topics in International Relations

• Peace and international justice
• War and disarmament
• Development and cooperation

Systems of Interaction

• Relational: traditional diplomatic relations.
• Institutional: creating legal structures for general or regional needs.
• Institutionalization involves social and political realities, with legal formulas resulting from historical circumstances.

Overrun of Traditional Conceptions

• States are affected by entities not subject to international relations, like transnational companies.
• Transnational oil companies (TNOCs) significantly influence Nigeria's economy and political decisions, leading to potential corruption and dependency.
• Interest groups and lobbies can oppose states, influencing public policy.
• Amnesty International, Green Peace, and the Sea Shepherd are examples of lobbies.
• The legal framework is often inadequate for international relations.
• Traditionally, international relations focused on diplomatic and legal ties between governments and the study of international structures.

Purpose of International Relations

• The field emerged from the need to study war, peace, and the roles of states and organizations in regulating relationships.
• World Wars highlighted the need for international stability.
• The US intervention in WW1 influenced this field of study.
• Diplomatic history and international law were the initial approaches.
• Dissociation from domestic politics led to failings; international relations were seen as anarchistic.

Causes of Evolution

• Globalization has changed the international landscape.
• Globalization allowed information and cultural exchanges which created fast advancements, prejudices and injustice.
• The removal of cultural differences can translate into the imposition of one culture on others in globalization.
• Globalization facilitated communication and increased competition.
• Resistance to change led to nationalist movements and identity politics.
• The UN's role has increased to regulate relations, including managing globalization's effects.
• Identity politics categorize groups by ethnicity, religion, or culture.
• Globalization has increased the wealth gap between countries, strengthening the role of the UN.

The 1989 Shock

• The failure to foresee the Cold War's end highlighted important aspects of international relations.
• Emanuel Todd's analysis of Soviet Union statistics revealed internal flaws overlooked until then.
• Social and economic factors gained importance after Todd’s work.

Reconsidering the Concept of State

• A state needs a territory, stable population, government, and diplomatic recognition.
• European integration and studies on policy-making processes changed perceptions of the State.
• The State was previously viewed as autonomous and neutral.

Historical Periods of International Relations

• Until World War I.
• From the Treaty of Versailles to World War II.
• The Cold War.
• The contemporary post-Cold War period.
• These periods correspond to specific power balances (multipolar, bipolar, unipolar).
• Each period saw discussions about the "end of globalization" and represents an evolution of the diplomatic system.
• Diplomatic relations and war are central to analyzing these periods.
• The State is central but constrained by configurations.
• The "Arrangements System" involves factors that influence political decisions.
• Each period is framed by a diplomatic situation and an arrangement system.

International Society Members

• States (traditional).
• International organizations.
• Individuals, peoples, NGOs, transnational firms (emerging actors).

Doctrinal Approaches

Realist Approach

• Predominance of conflict between states.
• Anarchy resulting from unregulated international society; states regulate it.
• A structure to regulate the international system is needed.
• International relations ruled by a general theory.
• Realism focuses on conflicts, state power, and a balanced arrangement system for stability.

Study of Conflict

• Marxist approaches focus on economic factors and exploitation.
• Geopolitical approaches focus on physical, economic, and human geography.

Power Relationships

• Power is distinguished from force.
• Hobbes, Machiavelli, Morgenthau, and Aron highlighted the State's role, confrontation, and minimizing cooperation and international law.
• Samuel Huntington believed future conflicts would result from cultural oppositions and identified civilizations.
• Occidental, Slavic and orthodox, Islamic, Hindu, Confucian, Japanese, Latin American and African.
• Civilizational differences stem from centuries-old processes, leading to a sense of difference.
• Economic modernization reduces local identities and weakens the State.
• The Western World is both attractive and repulsive, decreasing attachment from elites.
• Civilization belonging is difficult to change.
• Regionalization strengthens civilization belonging because the regional integration process is the consequence of the rooting in a common local civilization.

"Transnationalist" or "Solidarist" Approach

• Clash between state order and transnational flows.
• Globalization leads to localization reactions.
• Networks organizing outside state territories.
• Promotion of international relations sociology.
• International society isn't based on a general theory; builds on sociological aspects.
• International institutional life is marked by interdependence.
• Peace comes from democracy and trade relations.

Federalist Approach

• States cooperate at an international level.
• Aims to create links between state entities or individuals.
• George Selle proposed international law expressing solidarity between individuals, not just State policy.

Functionalist Approach

• International organizations transform member-state interests.
• Organizations monitor a socialization process.
• The League of Nations is an example.

Society vs. Community

• "Society" links members bonded or opposed by interests.
• "Community" links members by harmonious relationships.

Traits of International Society

• Ambivalence: Institutions and rules exist, but are not always respected.
• Interstate Society vs. Transnational Society
• The State remains the main component of a Society of coexistence between sovereign States, so still an interstate society.
• Transnational actors are developing their activities outside traditional boundaries

Globalized or Fragmented

Economic:

• Multilateral trading frame institutionalized free-market rules (GATT, WTO).
• Globalisation not achieved; new integrated regional areas accelerating.

Cultural

• Liberal principles aim for universality, rejecting cultural diversity.
• Globalisation means cultural hegemony.

Fragmentation

• Rise of nationalism and fundamentalism.
• Nationalism generates exclusions and inclusions.
• The collapse of both official ideologies and the decay of the State model increased its expression.
• Claims emerged from smaller communities.
• Fundamentalism indicates strict, literal beliefs and emphasis on purity.
• Fundamentalism can be a pejorative characterization.
• British doctrine in India encouraged religious separation, leading to fundamentalism.

Ills of Underdevelopment

• Underdevelopment/poverty is a key 21st-century challenge.
• Almost 3/5 of developing countries’ inhabitants lack basic food and hygiene.
• Almost 1/3 lacks clean water, 1/4 lacks housing, 1/5 lacks healthcare, and 1/5 of children doesn't achieve primary school.
• Inequalities rising between rich and poor countries, especially in healthcare.
• HIV cripples economies due to a lack of skilled labor.

Constitutive Factors

• The international society is built on material and intellectual factors.
• Material factors are not absolute but had a great impact over time.

Material Factors

Geographical Factor

• Territory (borders, maritime zones) and resources (soil, metals, vegetation) are key elements.
• Climate, soil type, relief, and vegetation influence states.
• Vastness and localization of territory are important.
• Resources vary in importance based on societal needs (coal, oil, water).
• Vast territory provides protection and access to resources (e.g., Russia).
• "New geography" rejects determinism, treating geography as part of the context for foreign policy decisions.

Demographical Factor

• Global population doubles every 30 years, reaching 7.5 billion.
• Population unevenly spread; growth faster in the south.
• Factors to analyze: age pyramid, education, medical condition, migratory flows.
• Large populations can mobilize more resources.
• Shifts in population distribution affect power balance.
• Population changes affect government policies.
• Mobilization of people from the Middle East to Europe/North America has created a forced immigration crisis.
• Governments adjust policies to accommodate refugees per international law.
• Displacement of population creates issues with climate temperatures increasing.
• Environmental factors have impacted demography throughout history.
• Environmental determinism has impacted development.

Economic, Financial and Monetary Factors

• Liberal: political relations should be separate from economic relations.
• Marxist: interdependence between political and economic relations.
• Realist: interaction between political and economic relations.
• International relations are shaped by perceived national interests.
• Sovereignty and security are key political interests.
• Access to economic factors (energy, raw materials) is vital.
• Security linked to economic elements (food, water, energy).
• A state’s economy relies on major support resources (agricultural products, water, gas etc).
• The subprime crisis in 2008 triggered policy changes.

Liberal Perspective

• Political relations should be kept separate from economic relations.
• Autonomy of economy promotes dynamism and living standards.

Marxist Perspective

• Interdependency between economic and political relations.
• Capitalistic change breaks down due to sociological reasons.
• Focuses on class struggle and labor exploitation.

Realist View

• There is an interaction between political and economic relations.

Technological and Scientific Factors

• Scientific discoveries and technological advancement have effects on international relations.
• Progress has erased distances and changed strategic perception.
• Military technologies have developed and transformed diplomatic practices.
• Unequal development rates make technology a factor in international relations.
• Communication and information technologies impact international affairs.

Main Mechanisms

• Altering the structure of the international system.
• Altering operations like administration, diplomacy, war, commerce, and communication.
• Developing new issue regions and constraints in foreign policy.
• Contributing data and theories for the operation of the international system.

Military Factor

• The arms race is timeless and multi-form.
• Militarization involves human, material, financial, and scientific resources.
• Military arsenals pose a danger to peace.
• Military power remains important for international order.
• Deterrence and destruction are essential for survival.
• Asian armies, nuclear weapons, and interventions display the military factor's importance.
• Military culture and arms trade indicate reliance on military power.

Intellectual Factors

Ideological Factor

• Diffuses a message aimed to nationals counterbalanced by ideologies.
• Nationalist or religious influences have been present since 1990.
• Ideology influenced international relationships in the 20th century.

Influence of Media

• Main media impact on international relations is undeniable.
• International public opinion is a reality shifting through time and space.
• Public opinion performs a double function resulting in its regulatory and destabilizing role.
• Media has increased awareness of international relations.
• Populations have wider access to information.
• Access to technology increased awareness of international events and policies.
• It allows for increased awareness and contributes to evolution into global citizens through globalization.
• There are concerns around source credibility and propaganda.
• Social media is used (ex. #BlackLivesMatter) to impact public opinion.

Personal Diplomacy Impact of Political Leaders

• Government actions modify international relations due to charismatic influences.
• Individuals like De Gaulle, Mandela, and Napoleon impacted international relations.

Legal Factor

• Written or customary international norms shape international relations.
• There is no international interaction without a legal framework.