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 GovernmentPrinciple of state sovereignty. Definition and recent limitationsHistory of sovereignty:

Mid-17thC. Birth of modern state systemBefore that: feudal systems

Principles of feudal political organization

Relation of monarch to feudal lordsRelation to Catholic Church and Pope

Political transformationsFrom within: rise of

commercial/manufacturing class (16thC)

From Without:

Church of England separates from RomeRise 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 conflictPromote 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 inegalitarianConsequences of inequality.

Inequality and Conflict

Low High Inequality

Low

High

Prob (Conflict)

The Nation State

Domestic Setting• Institutions• Political Parties• Interest Groups• Political Parties• Public Opinion

Foreign PolicyInternational

System