International Relations - Marxist and Neo-Marxist Approaches - Assignment Example

7 Questions Name Institution Date 1 What does Marxism have to say about international relations? How does it resemble/ differ from neo-Marxist approaches? What light do neo-Marxists cast on international relations? Carl Marx is depicted in international relations discourse as the leading theorist of globalization. Indeed the features that are often highlighted as evidence of globalization are not new, but modern manifestations of long-standing tendencies within the gradual development of capitalism. The vast bulk of Marx’s theoretical exploits entailed a painstaking evaluation of capitalism as the definitive mode of production. Marxist theorists argue that a global capitalist system has over time integrated all aspects of humanity, including international relations. This has resulted in the integration of national economies to the extent that their international relations are largely influenced by the position they hold within a capitalist global economy. According to Linklater (2009), while Marxist theories are based on interpretations of Marx’s work by thinkers of the mid twentieth century, in contrast, neo-Marxism integrates perspectives of writers who have developed their ideas directly from Marx’s on work. Neo Marxist theorists have either been critical of some developments within Marxism, or have sought to make original theoretical contributions to a better comprehension of contemporary trends in international relations. Justin Rosenberg, a proponent of neo- Marxist school of thought, uses Marx’s ideas to disapprove the realist theories of international relations. According to Rosenberg, the theory of globalization is in fact, rooted in classical social theory, which proposes that underlying social relations are principally responsible for making the capitalist system’s emergence as a key determinant of contemporary trends in international relations. 2 What role does feminism play in International Relations and how influential has it been? In a study conducted by Jacqui True, a specialist in gender and international relations, she notes that women own less than one percent of property and resources across the globe, while they provide over 60 percent of the world’s labor. Women are also grossly underrepresented in top-level government positions. The significance of feminism in international relations is to address these imbalances in power and influence. Feminism seeks to address international relations from a female point of view, essentially encouraging more gender equality (Whitworth, 2013: 110). Feminists explore the role of women in shaping international relations. They evaluate the involvement of women in the decision-making process, and explore prospects of females changing foreign policy and other key aspects of international relations. They provide critical assessments of prevailing social norms, and question patriarchal hierarchies in key areas such as the military and economy. A significant achievement of feminism international relations has been the redefinition of the concept of security. It has revealed the increasing suffering the world’s population of women and children endure through death, rape, deprivation and displacement. It has also highlighted the many roles women have played in forging peace and community building. In a study conducted by Mark Tessler, he established that decision makers who incorporate women’s issues in policy making are more likely to employ diplomacy in resolving conflict. 3 What are the main functions of the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank? What have they achieved? The World Trade Organization (WTO) executes three core functions. It facilitates the implementation and administration of Multi-lateral agreements, provides a forum for negotiations on matters that concern multilateral trade relations, and ensures adherence to the rules and procedures that govern settlement of disputes. The WTO has made significant strides in eliminating poverty, as well as improving access to affordable medicines in developing countries. The organization has also been successful in opening free trade, as well as increasing the flow of technological innovation across the globe. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) aims at fostering global economic growth and stability through provision of financing and advice to member’s states. It provides developing nations with the necessary support for achieving macroeconomic stability. It has been able to provide an excellent framework for member states to consult on international monetary affairs. It has significantly expanded world trade, as countries in deficit have been enabled to meet temporary disequilibrium in payments (Mansbach, Richard and Taylor, 2012: 315)The IMF has also made significant strides in stabilizing exchange rates to levels that had not been witnessed before its inception. The primary function of the World Bank is to promote economic reconstruction and development of members states through provision of long-term capital. The Bank promotes capital investment within member states through provision of guarantees on capital and private loans. It also works to ensure a balance in international trade. The Bank has aggressively promoted development especially in developing nations through provision of loans at lower interest rates. The Bank also provides technical assistance to less developed countries in form of training facilities. 4 What role does the United Nations play in protecting and promoting respect for human rights in different parts of the world? The High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the office that oversees activities aimed at protecting human rights across the globe. Its primary objective is to ensure the organizations three pillars of peace and security, human rights and development are complementary and mutually reinforcing. OHCHR’s operations entail setting standards, monitoring and implementing activities that enhance respect for human rights. It seeks to provide the best expertise for emerging challenges, as well as substantive and secretariat support to different human rights bodies. According to Patrick (2013), the office also supports the work of various special procedures that include independent experts, special rapporteurs and other working entities appointed by the council and mandated to monitor protection of human rights in different countries. OHCHR provides a forum for identifying and responding to human rights challenges. The office undertakes human rights research, education and advocacy activities within the UN’s system. Its primary goal is to empower government institutions in member countries to expedite their mandate in protecting human rights. Various governments across the globe continue to receive assistance from OHCHR in form expertise and technical training in areas that include administration of justice, electoral process, and legislative reform. This is meant to enable governments to implement required international human rights standards in their respective countries. 5 What role does security play in international relations? Is it primarily a national or international issue? The subject of security in international relations provides essential insight and comprehension of order and stability within and between states. The concept of security is broad, as it encompasses aspects of force and military preparedness, as well as policies that concern human and minority rights, poverty, migration, the environment and many other societal concerns (Williams, 2013: 7). Security in international relations has become not only a concern of the state, but also of the populations within the states. A vast number of people have been adversely affected by war and armed conflict, a situation that that caused the study of security to be developed. An attempt to improve the living conditions of the earth’s populations ought to begin by identifying ways to prevent conflict. This forms the essence of security studies in international relations. Security is both a national and international affair. At national level, security entails all public policies by which a state seeks to guarantee its survival as a sovereign entity, thereby ensuring the security of its citizens. From an international perspective, the concept of security aspires to achieve peace, order and lawfulness within the larger society of states. With time, the primary function of ensuring global peace has come to rest on the powerful states. The problems of international security have thus been narrowed to that of ensuring the great powers of the world support international law, and not subvert it. 6 Why do states engage in development co-operation? What are the stated objectives? Are there any unstated objectives? States engage in development co-operation in order to effectively instigate the fundamental transformation that is required in resolving global economic development challenges. A primary objective of development co-operation is to achieve equitable and sustainable development across the globe. To this end, development co-operation is meant to expedite quicker economic development and improve standards of living especially within poor nations of the world. This makes it imperative for states to cooperate in instituting a model and structural framework that enables them to support each other economically. Changes in the global political and economic dynamics have seen an increase in funding from other assistance providers that are not part of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Some countries that include China, Brazil, south Africa and India prefer not be referred to as donors under the DAC framework, but rather, as partners engaged in mutual benefit relationships under the framework of South-South Cooperation (SSC). The increase in activities that are outside the DAC framework is a reflection of the way global economic and political power is shifting toward a multipolar world order. This has however been received with mixed reactions from both the DAC donors and SSC partners. While the southern providers emphasize non-interference in policies of countries that receive assistance, the DAC donors have stringent conditions attached to assistance (Desai, Raj and Kharas, 2010: 45). Despite these unstated objectives, there is a general consensus that coherent polices need to be put in place and adhered to when dealing with development matters of developing countries 7 What is ‘terrorism’? Is it a new phenomenon? Who is involved? Terrorism is the deliberate and unlawful use of violence or threat of violence to instill fear. Terrorism is continually evolving and adapting to changes in the socio-political environment. According to Nacos and Brigitte (2005), a description of terrorism and how it has evolved through history requires recognition of the fact systems of governance have undergone significant transformation since the ratification of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. Before then there were no central governments, which made it impractical to use terrorism as a means of influencing political change. A lack of central authority made it possible for many players other than national armies to be involved in warfare. The involvement of groups such as mercenaries, mercantile companies and religious factions in warfare was regarded to be perfectly legitimate. In contrast, today nations go to war, but participation by private entities is considered illegal. Terrorism in the 20th century has been largely influenced by contemporary developments in nationalism and revolutionary political dogmas. After the end of World War II, terrorism developed into a major component of contemporary warfare. Initially it was used as a subsidiary component of anti-colonial insurgencies, but this role has significantly expanded in the past decade. Terrorism is now used to propagate various ideologies and aspirations held by some groups, and on a larger scale, some states use it as a tool of consolidating international power. References Decision-Making in the World Trade Organization Abstract from Journal of International Economic Law at Oxford Journals Desai, Raj and Homi Kharas, 2010 “The Determinants of Aid Volatility”, Available at: http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2010/09/aid-volatility-desai-kharasWilliams, P. D. 'Security Studies: An Introduction', in Williams, P. D. Security Studies: An Introduction, Routledge, New York, 2013, pp. 1-12 Linklater, A. 'Marx and Marxism', in Burchill, S. et al. Theories of International Relations, 4th Edition, Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2009, pp. 111-135 Mansbach, Richard W. and Taylor, Introduction to Global Politics, 2nd Edition, Routledge, Croydon, 2012, pp. 348-384 Mansbach, Richard W. and Taylor, Introduction to Global Politics, 2nd Edition, Routledge, Croydon, 2012, pp. 309-347 Nacos, Brigitte L. (2005). The Portrayal of Female Terrorists in the Media: Similar Framing Patterns in the News Coverage of Women in Politics and in Terrorism. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 28, 435–451. Patrick, S. (2013) "The Human Rights Council: Give Credit Where Credit is Due". Retrieved 6 April, 2015. Whitworth, S. 'Feminisms', in (Ed.) Williams, P. D. Security Studies: An introduction, Routledge, New York, 2013, pp. 107-119 Read More