Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the name of the 'happy' city described in the text?
What is the name of the 'happy' city described in the text?
Omelas
What is the child in the room described as being? (Select all that apply)
What is the child in the room described as being? (Select all that apply)
Feeble-minded, Malnourished, Neglected
The child in the room is kept in a dark cellar with no windows.
The child in the room is kept in a dark cellar with no windows.
False
What are the people of Omelas told when they are between the ages of 8-12?
What are the people of Omelas told when they are between the ages of 8-12?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the people of Omelas do when they choose to walk away?
What do the people of Omelas do when they choose to walk away?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the highest form of authority in a particular territory, according to the text?
What is the highest form of authority in a particular territory, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following are functions of the modern state, according to the text?
Which of the following are functions of the modern state, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the treaty that marked the emergence of the sovereign state model in Europe?
What is the name of the treaty that marked the emergence of the sovereign state model in Europe?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the executive branch of government?
What is the primary function of the executive branch of government?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the administrative branch of government?
What is the primary function of the administrative branch of government?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the judicial branch of government?
What is the primary function of the judicial branch of government?
Signup and view all the answers
Which theory of the state argues that all societies are led by a unified, self-conscious elite?
Which theory of the state argues that all societies are led by a unified, self-conscious elite?
Signup and view all the answers
Which theory of the state focuses on formal political processes?
Which theory of the state focuses on formal political processes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which theory of the state advocates for pluralistic states that include a variety of religious, cultural, and ethnic identities?
Which theory of the state advocates for pluralistic states that include a variety of religious, cultural, and ethnic identities?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main criticism of ‘boutique’ multiculturalism?
What is the main criticism of ‘boutique’ multiculturalism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main difference between European and Indigenous conceptions of power?
What is the main difference between European and Indigenous conceptions of power?
Signup and view all the answers
When studying international relations, it is not necessary to consider theory.
When studying international relations, it is not necessary to consider theory.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the most basic unit of analysis in global politics, according to ‘global politics’?
What is the most basic unit of analysis in global politics, according to ‘global politics’?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three key approaches to the study of international relations, according to the text?
What are the three key approaches to the study of international relations, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three disruptive theories that have challenged dominant theories of international relations, according to the text?
What are the three disruptive theories that have challenged dominant theories of international relations, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used to describe the situation where the actions of two or more agents must be harmonized, even if their interests are not the same?
What is the term used to describe the situation where the actions of two or more agents must be harmonized, even if their interests are not the same?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main goal of ‘new public management’ (NPM)?
What is the main goal of ‘new public management’ (NPM)?
Signup and view all the answers
What is ‘agencification’?
What is ‘agencification’?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term ‘governance’ refer to?
What does the term ‘governance’ refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three key elements of ‘good governance’?
What are the three key elements of ‘good governance’?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following international relations theories with their main focus:
Match the following international relations theories with their main focus:
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three core elements of realism?
What are the three core elements of realism?
Signup and view all the answers
What does anarchy refer to in terms of the state?
What does anarchy refer to in terms of the state?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main argument of liberalism in international relations?
What is the main argument of liberalism in international relations?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main goal of Marxian theory in international relations?
What is the main goal of Marxian theory in international relations?
Signup and view all the answers
Constructivism emerged as a direct response to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Constructivism emerged as a direct response to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Signup and view all the answers
What does poststructuralism emphasize in international relations?
What does poststructuralism emphasize in international relations?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the central question posed by gender analysis in international relations?
What is the central question posed by gender analysis in international relations?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the key historical periods that shed light on the evolution of international order?
What are the key historical periods that shed light on the evolution of international order?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main difference between ‘ius natural’ and ‘ius gentium’?
What is the main difference between ‘ius natural’ and ‘ius gentium’?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the text describe the colonial present?
How does the text describe the colonial present?
Signup and view all the answers
The text argues that the Cold War led to a new era of international peace and prosperity.
The text argues that the Cold War led to a new era of international peace and prosperity.
Signup and view all the answers
What are some of the key drivers of international relations in the colonial present, according to the text?
What are some of the key drivers of international relations in the colonial present, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the central argument of the text concerning the origins of the modern state?
What is the central argument of the text concerning the origins of the modern state?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Omelas
- A seemingly idyllic, utopian city whose happiness depends on the suffering of a single child held captive in an unassuming cellar.
- The child is feeble-minded, neglected, and abused, existing in squalor and excrement.
- The inhabitants of Omelas are aware of the child's suffering but remain complacent, believing their happiness is tied to the child's misery.
- Children are taken to see the child between the ages of 8 and 12, and react with disgust yet return to their life.
Politics and the State
- The sovereign state is the dominant form of political authority.
- It's theoretically above any challenge, both domestically and internationally.
- The sovereign state model emerged in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries, notably with the Treaty of Westphalia.
- Most modern countries employ the sovereign state model but face sovereignty challenges in today's interconnected world, including issues like failed states.
Modern State Functions
-
Modern states perform four main functions:
- Legislation
- Executive
- Administrative
- Judicial
-
Different forms of government have diverse methods of carrying out these functions.
Theories of the State
- Pluralism: Societies consist of competing groups. Government reflects the power balance of these groups.
- Elitism: All societies are led by a dominant, unified, self-conscious elite group (economic, political, military, administrative, religious).
- Institutionalism: Focuses on formal political processes. Neo-institutionalism emphasizes institutions' impact on outcomes.
Indigenous Conception of Power
- Some indigenous societies prioritize temporary, situation-specific leadership roles, minimizing individual power concentration.
- Indigenous views on power often differ from traditional European conceptions.
Multiculturalism
- Multiculturalism challenges traditional models of national citizenship, advocating for states including diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic identities.
- Critics question if it only preserves shallow cultural traits, highlighting issues such as the concept of “host culture.”
Supra-Constitutional Documents & Rule of Law
- Examples are documents considered more sacred (than constitutions) like Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982).
- The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees Canadian citizens' rights and freedoms.
Constitutions and Rule of Law
- Constitutions serve as blueprints for national governments
- They describe the division of power and responsibilities among state institutions and the rights of citizens.
- The rule of law is the fundamental principle of liberal democracies; citizens are equal before the law.
Notwithstanding Clause
- Section 33 of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the “notwithstanding clause.”
- Provincial or federal governments can temporarily shield laws from judicial review using this clause.
- Its use has been exemplified in Quebec and other provinces regarding their laws or policies.
Civil Society, Interest Groups, and the Media
- Civil society actors include:
- Civic innovators, organizations.
- Communities, clubs, groups
- NGOs, associations, foundations
- The 4th sector: Cooperatives, social enterprises
- Charity organizations, Religious-based communities
- Non-commercial media, social movements
- Problems with civil society exist on both ends of the political spectrum, with examples like the Tea Party and the Idle No More movements.
Interest Groups
- Interest groups are associations promoting sectional interests within the political system.
- They are part of civil society and are present in all societies, even dictatorships.
- Insider groups lobby governments; outsider groups influence public opinion.
Bureaucracies, Policymaking, and Governance
- The Canadian federal government is the largest employer in the country, with a complex structure.
- Many modern states organize their civil service and bureaucracies based on the British model, stressing impartiality and separating civil servants from political roles.
- Bureaucracies are intended to be neutral, but their behaviors can lead to conflict if new leaders want to create sweeping reforms.
"Embedded Autonomy"
- A term from developmental political economy, coined by Peter Evans.
- It describes bureaucratic decision-makers influenced by society but independent enough to determine the public interest.
Theories of Bureaucratic Policymaking
- Principal–agent relations is a concept from bureaucratic policymaking that refers to the relationship between the policy-making actors and the bureaucrats.
- The aim of principal-agent relations is to clarify how bureaucracies determine and implement decisions. A secondary aim is to specify how principals can ensure compliance.
New Public Management (NPM)
- This model emphasizes incentives and performance over established rule-based hierarchies in the public sector.
- It draws ideas from economics and business.
- Critics point to issues of corruption that can arise.
"Agencification"
- A process of dividing functions into new agencies.
- It's designed to simplify administration but can undermine the unity and expertise of the civil service.
- Creates issues of accountability.
Governance
- It refers to the capacity for governments in creating and implementing policies.
- It's not restricted to government, encompasses a wide range of actors and institutions.
- Recent emphasis on "good governance."
Good Governance
- A good state promotes economic growth and fairness.
- Involved communities and civil societies have representation in policymaking.
- An effective private sector is crucial for economic production.
Policy Communities, "Iron Triangles," and Issue Networks
- Policy communities are groups consistently engaged in specific area policymaking.
- "Iron triangles" highlight consistent interactions between government officials, politicians, and interest groups.
- Issue networks are more complex and dynamic than iron triangles, encompassing numerous actors and interests.
The Idea of International Society - Hedley Bull
- Bull identifies three core traditions in international relations:
- Hobbesian (realism): conflict and power struggles are primary features.
- Kantian (idealism): cooperation and a common community of mankind are central.
- Grotian (international society): an orderly society of states with common rules, norms and institutions.
- Understanding international relations implies understanding diversity of these perspectives.
International Relations
- The study of relations between states, incorporating transnational and non-state actors, organizations, and interactions across borders.
Why Study International Relations?
- The world is divided into states having interdependent relations impacting world-wide people, economics and societies.
- Recognizing the world-wide interconnection and relations is important.
Alexis de Tocqueville
- Tyranny of the Majority: Explores the potential dangers of unlimited majority rule in democracies; there may be less danger from tyranny in the individual vs. the majority; majorities can tyrannize minorities, especially when not checked by law and institutions.
- Nature of Modern Servitude: Tocqueville suggests a subtle form of oppression in democratic societies where individuals become overly reliant on government for every aspect of their life; it can lead to a stifling conformity and dependence.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
