Lectures 3 and 4: Levels of Analysis
The International System The two levels of analysis. Definition of the international system (global system, subsystem). Major Property of IS: No Common Government Principle of state sovereignty. Definition and recent limitations History of sovereignty: Mid-17 th C. Birth of modern state system Before that: feudal systems
Principles of feudal political organization Relation of monarch to feudal lords Relation to Catholic Church and Pope Political transformations From within: rise of commercial/manufacturing class (16thC)
From Without: Church of England separates from Rome Rise of Protestantism and Challenges to Papal supremacy. New political doctrines and concept of sovereignty: Jean Bodin ( Six Books on the Republic, 1576). Power of the sovereign: supreme power over citizens. Hugo Grotius ( On the Law of War and Peace, 1625) UN charter
Implications of Sovereignty Basic functions of government within sovereign states: Ensure security/Manage conflict Promote welfare But no government to do these things internationally How, then, is conflict managed (balance of power, deterrence )
Managing international welfare Multilateral aid structures? Similar to domestic charity (not an obligation). International system highly inegalitarian Consequences of inequality.
Inequality and Conflict LowHigh Inequality Low High Prob (Conflict)
The Nation State Domestic Setting Institutions Political Parties Interest Groups Political Parties Public Opinion Foreign Policy International System