Actors in International

Relations
Outline
 Introduction
 Actors in IR
 Definitions & examples
 Influence
Historical context
 Late 19th & 20th century
◦ Technological advance
◦ New products
◦ New processes
◦ New forms of business
◦ Development in communication
◦ Transportation facilities
Cont.….

 States became more cooperative with

◦ Private sector
◦ Other non-governmental organizations
 Companies from Extended their activities
◦ Britain overseas through
◦ United states foreign direct
◦ Europe investments and
controlling some
◦ Japan
production activities
◦ Canada from their home based
head quarters
Importance
 To have a clear idea regarding political
process
◦ Who drives the international politics?
◦ What are his motives & intentions?
◦ What capabilities it has?

IR
IR originally covers,
 Relations between states
◦ ex : Sri Lankas’ relations with India
 Economic bodies & social groups
◦ Ex : banks & companies
State actors Non-state actors

Actors in International Relations

Actors in IR
 State actors  Non-state actors

• Treaty of • International governmental

Thirty Westphalia 1648 IGO organizations
years
war
• Non-governmental organizations
• The prime actor in NGO
IR
State • A political and
• International non governmental
legal actor
is INGO organization

• Monopoly of using • Illegitimate groups

State force domestically • Media
• Individuals
has & internationally

the
State
 “a compulsory political organization with
a centralized government that maintains a
monopoly of the legitimate use of force
within a certain geographical territory”
-Wikipedia-

Stable population within

Territorial base
its’ territory

state
A government which Diplomatically recognized
owes allegiance by other states
Non-state actors
 Individuals or organizations
 Strong economic, political, or social
power
 Ability to influence at a national and
international level
 Do not belong to or allied to themselves
or a country or satate
Definition
 “an organized political actor not directly
connected to the state but pursing aims
that affect vital state interests”
- Pearlman & Cunningham, 2011-
International Governmental
Organizations (IGOs)
 Members consist of three or more
nation-states
Universal
membership
Global IGOs
Ex:
UN,WTO,IMF
IGOs
Based on
interests or
region
Regional IGOs
Ex: ASEAN,
EU
IGO Purposes

UN Peace & security

Friendly relations among nations
International cooperation
Centre of harmonizing the actions of nations

WTO Manage disputes arising from trading partners

Monitoring trade in agriculture and commodities

ASEAN Promote regional economic, social and cultural

cooperation among the states in southeast Asia

NATO Military alliance

Collective defence
Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs)
 To influence international organizations
 Volunteers from two or more states
 Promote their influences and ideals
◦ Disarmament
◦ Environmental protection
◦ Human rights
 Purposes
◦ Political
◦ Humanitarian
◦ Economic
◦ technical
Examples
 Amnesty International
◦ Protection of civilians
◦ Welfare of children
◦ LGBT rights
◦ AIDS
◦ Women’s rights
◦ Disability rights
 Religious movements
◦ Pope John Paul 11 of catholic church
 AIESEC
 World Wide Fund for Nature
Multi-National Corporations
(MNCs)
 Headquarter in one state
 Invest & operate in other states

Industrial – Sony,
Honda,Toyota,
Petronas

MNCs

Services – Mc
Financial –
Donald’s fast food
oversea-Chinese
chain, MAS/ Asiana
banking
international
corporation
airlines, Hilton
limited(OCBC)
Hotels & Resorts
 Profit oriented
 Contribute to the host country’s
development
 Provide job opportunities
 Helps to stabilize the economy
Mass media
 Internet, newspapers, blogs, TV
 Influential
International Individuals
 Influential leaders
◦ Religious
◦ Ethnic
Illegitimate groups
 Terrorist groups
◦ Through violence & planning attacks
◦ Powerful enough to influence states
 Al-Qaeda
 ISIS
International criminal groups
 Illegitimate
 Great capacity of financial resources
 Influence state’s politics
 Threat to state’s security
 Hard to track
Yakuza in Japan
◦ Drugs
◦ Prostitution
Sicilian Mafia in Italy
◦ Human trafficking
◦ Firearms Triads in Hong
Kong, Macau, Taiwan
Group members
 H.Y.N Sulakkhana (DS/18/A/35/E)
 W.L.R.C Lekamge (DS/18/A/43/E)
 N.K.H.T Sankalpani (DS/18/A/44/E)
 T.A.M.L Perera (DS/18/A/13/E)
 S.W Dissanayake (DS/18/A/51/E)