How Countries Interact

What is the relationship of the United States to other nations in the world?

Overview –Learn about the role of the United States in the international community –Learn about nation-states, international laws, and some nongovernmental international organizations that work to promote peaceful interactions among nations –Consider how countries interact and influence one another

Objectives At the Conclusion of this lesson, students should be able to –Define nation-state and international law –Explain the ways in which nations interact –Describe how countries influence each other

What are nation-states? There are many countries in the world –A country is also called a nation-state The modern nation or country as the typical unit of political organization in the world The government of a nation-state claims the authority to govern the people who live within its territory

What are nation-states? The government of a nation-state also makes and carries out agreements with other nation-states –Today there are more than 200 nation-states in the world –Some are tiny countries such as Monaco and Singapore –Others are very large countries such as China and Russia

Who has authority over nation-states? At the international level, there is no organization with formal political power comparable to that of the nation-state –There is no international government that has authority over the world’s nation-states –That is why each nation-state is said to be sovereign By sovereign we mean that a country has the right to be free from outside interference within its boundaries

Who has authority over nation-states? Nation-sates often agree to cooperate with each other –For example Letters mailed in one country arrive at their destination in another country Telephone services function worldwide Airplanes take off from one country and land in another Nations trade goods and services daily –These few examples show that countries can live in peace and cooperate in their means of dealing with each other

What is international law? One thing that makes interactions among countries possible is a system of international law –Consists of those rules that regulate how countries behave toward one another –Usually made by treaties that nation-states make among themselves It is up to each nation-state to enforce its treaties

What is international law? There is no international police organization to enforce international law –This does not mean that it is impossible to make nations live up to their responsibilities to each other Some nations use economic, political, or military pressure to keep other nations in line

How do nations of the world interact with each other? Today, the nations of the world are increasing dependent on each other –Nations have many ways of interacting Here are some common examples (don’t write these yet) –Cultural, science, and business exchanges –Humanitarian aid –Trade –Diplomacy –Treaties and agreements –Military Force

Cultural, science, and business exchanges People travel all over the world People living in different countries share ideas –Doctors, scientists, educators, and business people from many countries meet to share advances in their fields Students and Teachers live with families in other countries to learn their language and to learn about their culture –Artists show their work in the museums of other countries

Humanitarian Aid Humanitarian –To show concern for the pain and suffering of others During natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, countries help the victims in other countries by giving humanitarian aid –Countries send medicine, food, and shelter to suffering people –Individuals and organizations also respond to natural disasters

Trade Countries buy and sell factory goods, farm products, and services to one another

Diplomacy Practice of carrying on formal relationships with governments of other countries –The official representatives of countries meet and discuss issues important to their governments –They work together in I a peaceful manner to find solutions to common problems

Treaties and Agreements Countries make treaties and agreements –They agree to promote trade among themselves –They agree to do certain things to protect the environment –Some agree to help each other in time of war

Military Force When two or more countries cannot solve their disagreements peacefully, they sometimes threaten to use military force Sometimes, the disagreement results in a war

What international organizations promote interaction among nations? There is not single organization in the world that has the power to force countries to settle conflicts peacefully –There are some organizations that help countries reach agreements without going to war –The most important worldwide organization is the United Nations

The United Nations A treaty signed in 1945, after World War II, created the United nations Its purposes according to its charter, are to maintain international peace and security; develop friendly relations among nations; cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems; and promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms –Most nations of the world are members of the United Nations

Other Treaty Organizations Organization of American States (OAS) –Promotes peace and security among all member nations in the Americas The League of Arab States

Nongovernmental Organizations NGO’s –Provide Humanitarian Aid International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies Amnesty International

Sources Quigley, Charles N., and Ken Rodriguez. We the People: the Citizen & the Constitution. 2007th ed. Vol. 2. Calabasas, CA: Center for Civic Education,