IR Theories and the Role of IOs

Apuntes

International Relations is the study of interactions b/w states in international system, with a major focus being war & peace (and international diplomacy) Nation States coexist in a system defined by the absence of a higher, overarching authority This promotes self-help and competition which, combined with finite resources, make conflict and insecurity high in the system Such conditions are often described as ‘ anarchy ’, the anarchic system, or ‘ perceptions ’ of anarchy and insecurity dominating the system [Diapositiva 13] The modern system of nation states emerges from the peace of Westphalia in 1648, ending decades of carnage in Europe … Westphalia is also an early attempt to provide ‘ rules ’ or ‘ order ’ to the (min) system , end wars and promote predictable relations among the powers of Europe Principles of ‘ mutual recognition ’, ‘ national sovereignty ’, ‘ non-interference ’ emerge as new ‘ rules ’/‘ norms ’ of behavior (at least for Europe) ( Westphalian principles ) Post-Westphalian system still defined by ‘ anarchy ’ and ‘ might = right ’; new efforts to define more ‘rules’ or ‘order’ would follow the successive wars and carnages in Europe and beyond until WWI and WWII...