INTL703 COMPARATIVE

GEOPOLITICAL SYSTEMS
Week 1
Overview of the Course
Part I: Perspectives in Geopolitics
Chapter 1: Introduction to
International Relations (IR)
Overview of the Course
Course Description: This course provides
a critical examination of the
interconnectedness of geographical,
historical, political, economic, social and
cultural factors that affect and are
affected by international business.

1-2
Contd
By focusing on globalization and the links
between the global and the local, the
course provides in-depth geopolitical
analyses of business opportunities and
challenges coming from such factors as
regional trade agreements, global and
national security, and the interdependence
of national economies.


1-3
Contd
The course will explore strategic
implications of current geopolitical issues
for global businesses, such as
energy and natural resources,
the rise of new economic powers,
terrorism,
civil unrest,
conflict and resolution.

1-4
Course Learning Outcomes
The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to:
1. analyze the differences among political and
economic systems around the world and
interpret the current geopolitical context;
2. compare and evaluate different theoretical
approaches and historical background of
international relations;
3. identify and discuss the roles and functions of
Canadian and international political and
economic institutions that shape the
international business environment;


1-5
Contd
4. examine how domestic and international
economic environments impact business risks
and opportunities in international trade and
foreign investment;
5. discuss how businesses influence host and
home governments to build and maintain their
national competitive advantages;
6. apply media literacy skills and critical thinking
to examine current geopolitical issues and future
trends that affect international business.

1-6
Evaluation and Grading System

1-7
Evaluation Description
Weight
/100
In-class Assignments (5 X 4%) (Weeks 3, 5, 9, 11, and 13) 20
Individual Projects (2 X 10%) (Weeks 4 and 6) 20
Mid-Term Test (Week 7) 20
Group Project: progress report (Week 10) 5
final report (Week 12) 10
Final Examination (Week 15) 25

E-Textbook:
3 parts from 3 books
1. Goldstein, J. S., Pevehouse, J. C., & Whitworth, S.
(2012). International Relations, Third Canadian
Edition. Pearson (3 chapters, Part I)
2. Hale, G. E. (2008). Uneasy Partnership: The
Politics of Business and Government in
Canada. University of Toronto Press. (2 chapters,
Part II)
3. Marston, A. S., Knox, P. L., Liverman, D. M., V. L.
Del Casino, & Robbins P. (2011). World Regions
in Global Context: Peoples, Places and
Environments, 4th Edition. Pearson (7 chapters,
Part III)


1-8
Week 1 Learning Outcomes
1. discuss the history of world civilizations to
the present day.
2. highlight global geography in terms of
demographic, political, social, and economic
development.
3. identify the role of state and non-state
actors in influencing international relations.
4. examine the power of information
technologies in shaping the landscape of
IR.

1-9
International
Relations
Third Canadian Edition
Goldstein, Pevehouse, and Whitworth
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-11
The Study of IR
Concern of IR
People and cultures throughout the world

Earlier focus
Relationships among the worlds governments

Todays focus
International organizations, multinational
corporations, social movements, NGOs, individuals
and worlds governments
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-12
and Daily Life
Our actions shape IR


IR affects our daily lives


Globalization is internationalizing us


We are internationalizing others through our actions
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-13
IR as a Field of Study
IR a relatively recent field of study

Politics at the global level

Two main subfields of IR

International Security

International Political Economy

Although separate, close connections between the two
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-14
Theories of IR
IR understood through descriptive and theoretical
explanations

Group of theories perspectives/ paradigms/ lens

Different views of the world

Three broad theories or paradigms in IR

Realist conflict and power politics

Liberal pluralist cooperation and mutual benefit

Critical approach inequalities and injustice
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-15
Actors and Influences
Presence of several actors who influence
global politics

State actors

Independent sovereign states

Recognized by international community

Vary in size of population and economy

2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-16
Actors and Influences
Non-state actors

Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)

Multinational corporations (MNCs)

Global social movements

International terrorist networks

Substate actors
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-17
Levels of Analysis
A tool to study events in IR

Four broad levels of analysis
Individual, domestic, interstate and global

Example
NATOs war with Serbia in Kosovo, 1999

No correct level for a given question

Using multiple explanations to explain an event



2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-18
The Power of Information
Impact of information revolution on the capability and
preference of actors

New possibilities with technological development

Role of telephone, radio, television and internet


2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-19
Insert Figure 1.1 from pg. 16


2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-20


2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-21
The Power of Information
Greater and free flow of information double edged
sword

Can be an instrument of government power

Information dissemination to influence audience

Can also undermine their authority and power

Protests in Tunisia and Egypt, 2011
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-22
Global Geography
World divided into nine regions

Global North-South gap

North
North America, Western Europe, Japan/Pacific, Russia and Eastern Europe

South
China, Middle East, Latin America, South Asia and Africa

Division based on territory, population and economy


2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-23


2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-24
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-25
History of International System
Importance of history in IR

Current international system a product of
Western civilization centered in Europe

Europe conquered various world civilizations over
several centuries

Created a single global international system
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-26
The Great-Power System:
1500-the Present
Treaty of Westphalia, 1648
Foundation of modern state systems
Relevance of 16
th
century European state relations


The great-power system
Composed of about half a dozen states
Rise and fall of their power
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-27
The Great-Power System:
1500-the Present
The world order

Role of wars, alliances and hegemons

Most important wars

Thirty Years War; Napoleonic War

World War I and II

Key hegemons

Britain 19
th
century; America 20
th
century
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-28
Imperialism: 1500-the Present
European imperialism since 1500
Empires in Central America and Brazil
Colonies in North America and the Caribbean


Independence in Latin America
Shortly after the United States independence


Independence in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
Few years after World War II
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-29
Nationalism: 1500-Present
Nationalism a strong force in IR

Devotion to a nation with shared identity

Historical development of nationalism since 1500

Principle of self-determination

Source of conflict

Demands for statehood or border adjustment

2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-30
The World Economy:
1750 to the Present
Britain most advanced global economy in 1750
Industrialization and free trade

United States most advanced/largest economy today
Industrialization, territorial expansion, immigrant labour and
technological innovation

Group of 8 and 20

Single integrated global economy today

Huge inequalities
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-31
The Two World Wars:
1900-1945
Two World Wars global or hegemonic conflicts

WWI an irrational and unnecessary war

Treaty of Versailles, 1919

League of Nations established after WWI

Power vacuum after WWI
Filled by Germany and Japan in the 1930s
Their aggressive expansionism led to WWII
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-32
The Two World Wars:
1900-1945
WWII

Hitlers expansionist policy in Europe

Attacked Poland, France and the Soviet Union

Britain, France and the U.S. fight against Hitler

Japans expansionist policy in Southeast Asia

Attacked Pearl Harbor; U.S. response

Hitler and Japan surrender to end the war




2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-33
The Two World Wars:
1900-1945
Two world wars offer contradictory lessons

WWI
Failure of hard line policy

WWII
Failure of appeasement policy

Best policy to avoid war?
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-34
The Cold War: 1945-1990
East West rivalry characterized by bipolar standoff

Despite hostility, a stable relationship

Main U.S. concern Europe controlled by Russia

U.S. response: Marshall Plan; Containment

Sino-Soviet alliance and eventual split

Various wars




2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-35
The Cold War: 1945-1990
Strategic parity in the 1970s

Pro-democracy movement in China in 1989

Gorbachev Perestroika and Glasnost

Break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991

Disagreement on why Cold War ended

U.S. military strength; Soviet internal stagnation
2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-36
The Post-Cold War Era:
1990-2011
Gulf War, 1990

Collapse of Soviet Union 15 different republics

Western relations with Russia mixed since then

Breakup of former Yugoslavia and Bosnia crisis

Ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and NATOs role


2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-37
The Post-Cold War Era:
1990-2011
Somalia, Rwanda and Haiti

U.S. rift with China and Europe

Support for the U.S. after September 11

War on terrorism

U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, 2003

Tension between Muslim and Western countries


2013 Pearson Canada Inc.

1-38
The Post-Cold War Era:
1990-2011
Tension with North Korea and Iran

Post-Cold War era more peaceful

Warfare is diminishing

Arab spring in the Middle East

Era of globalization

China as a rising major player

Group Discussion Questions
What is the most important geopolitical
challenge that the world faces today?

Which is a more effective strategy for
nations conflict or cooperation?

Is the United States a great power in
decline?



1-39