Stephane Jean’s Post

The Forgotten Prophet: Tom Paine's Cosmopolitanism and International Relations by Thomas C. Walker Abstract - The recent questions about the viability of political realism highlight a need for alternative theoretical frameworks to guide international relations research. These alternatives, however, have been slow to emerge, due in part to the field's traditional neglect of political theory. In this essay I present an alternative based on a survey of Paine's international thought. Sir Michael Howard referred to Paine as the most important internationalist writer of all time, but his contributions have been largely ignored by students of international relations. Paine was a classic second image theorist who first posited how #democratic #governance would promote a #peaceful world. Paine's works leave us with all the features of #cosmopolitan thinking in international relations: Faith in reason and progress, the evils of #authoritarian #regimes, the democratic #peace, the peaceful effect of trade, nonprovocative #defense #policies, open #diplomacy, obsolescence of conquest, the universal respect for human rights, and the democratic propensity to engage in #messianic #interventionism. I conclude with a comparison of #Kant and #Paine where I argue that Paine is the more faithful representative of the #Enlightenment for students of international relations. https://lnkd.in/e632ha7v

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS – Changing Geopolitics Intergovernmental organizations typically consist of a group of countries, varying in size, and occasionally include other international entities. These organizations periodically convene to discuss and sometimes collaborate in addressing global or specific shared-interest issues. Regardless of the diverse subjects they handle—ranging from cultural and educational matters to wealth, military, and others — an inevitable common focus lies on economic issues. Consequently, factors influencing economic growth, supporting development, progress, and improved living standards play a crucial role, intertwining with the intricate dynamics of geopolitics. These organizations may take both official and non-official forms. The former, endowed with authoritative power, can enforce recommended policies through treaties governed by international law. However, despite their significance, they all face the challenge of consensus-building. While these organizations have historically played indispensable roles within their spheres of influence, the imperative to ADAPT THEIR FUNCTIONING AND DECISION-MAKING MECHANISMS FOR GREATER EFFECTIVENESS is more pressing than ever. There is a risk of rendering some organizations obsolete if they become less influential and incapable of effective action. Reflecting on the Peace of Westphalia (1648), a pivotal diplomatic document in European history and a precursor to global history, underscores the complexity of intergovernmental negotiations. Though not encapsulated in a single document, this peace emerged from three complementary agreements signed at different times and places, written in parallel terms with interconnected provisions. Despite this complexity, the Peace of Westphalia marked a turning point, affirming the State as the primary entity in the European order. It laid the foundation for the concept of the State and the principles of an international relations system, driven by a collective desire to prevent total war on the continent. Since then, significant progress and challenges have been experienced, including two world wars, providing impetus for the emergence of intergovernmental organizations. These entities serve as platforms for dialogue and action, aiming to address global or specific shared-interest problems, ultimately working towards preventing a recurrence of catastrophic conflicts. Let’s not forget: … foreign policy may find itself deprived of the conceptual notion and historical sense that should integrate it … [Henry Kissinger in World Order @2014] Sources: United Nations | European Union | World Bank | International Monetary Fund | Global Trade Data | World Economic Forum #geostrategy #diplomacy #sovereignity #intergovernmental #governments #negotiation #effectiveness #wisdom

Intellect Aether launches today the International Relations Hub, a repository for essays which will present core themes and topics in the field of IR ranging from the theory, history, and philosophy of IR, to diplomacy and geopolitical strategy of nations. Find below the link to: "Approaches To State Power: A Comparative Analysis Of Neorealism & Constructivism", by David Dinca #internationalrelations #internationalaffairs #diplomacy #globalpolitics #history #philosophy

Another academic milestone done, with the successful completion of the Università di Pisa 's winter school: "Reinforcing EU responsible leadership", organized by the ProSoEULaw Abroad Unipi. A mix of #international #public_law, international #private_law, #eulaw and international politics served as a great combination for understanding contemporary EU external affairs. The course was supplemented by a #mootcourt competition, where my team successfully supported a private investor's claim against the violation of legal obligations by a government, within the framework of a bilateral treaty of the latter with the EU. The final step was the drafting of a paper, where I had the opportunity to examine the bilateral treaty between the #EU and #Vietnam. All in all, a valuable addition to the professional and research toolbox of any European legal professional interested in international transactions, and the conjuction of business and diplomacy.

Sovereignty is a fundamental concept in political theory and international relations, defining the ultimate authority and power that a state holds over its territory and people. This authority allows the state to make decisions, enforce laws, and govern without interference from external forces. Internal sovereignty focuses on the state's ability to exercise control and authority within its borders, managing its affairs independently. External sovereignty, on the other hand, deals with the state's recognition by other nations as a legitimate and independent entity. This recognition is essential for engaging in diplomatic relations, trade agreements, and participating in international organizations. Understanding sovereignty is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of state interactions and the principles of statehood in the modern world. Sovereignty has evolved over time, with debates arising on issues like state sovereignty versus human rights and the impact of globalization on state authority. The concept of sovereignty continues to be a central theme in contemporary political discourse, shaping international relations and the structure of the global order.

How is #technology changing the #global political landscape? With tech and global affairs so intertwined, it’s no surprise that there’s a growing demand for professionals with expertise at the nexus where the disciplines meet. Our Master in Technology and Global Affairs offers a comprehensive understanding of #tech's influence on global #security, #governance, #diplomacy, #trade, and #development. Explore the program here: https://lnkd.in/d2z9J4kf Sciences Po

Nomads, Empires, States: Modes of Foreign Relations and Political Economy, Volume I - PDF: https://lnkd.in/gFcp_JV8 How we think about international relations theory needs to change. Kees van der Pijl argues that by making the "nation-state" the focus of international relations, the discipline has become Euro-centric and a-historical and that theories of imperialism and historic civilisations, and their relation to world order, have been discarded. With more than half the world's population living in cities, with unprecedented levels of migration, global politics is present on every street corner. The 'international' is no longer only a balance of power among states, but includes tribal relations making a comeback in various ways. Outlining a new approach to IR theory, the book makes a case for a re-reading of world history in terms of foreign relations, and shows what it reveals about both our past and our future. and considering each other as outsiders. The ‘international’ is a historically specific, but not the final form of such relations. People today are exposed to ‘foreigners’ to a degree and on a scale never before seen in history. With more than half of the world’s population now living in cities, each containing large non-native or otherwise different communities, due to unprecedented migratory pressures, global politics is present on every street corner – but not as a balance of power among states, although that too is part of the complex of historical forces which brought about the frontiers and boundaries cutting across the present world. Indeed the contemporary crisis of globalisation and the proliferation of conflict it entails, points into the past as much as it reveals a possible future. It lays bare an underworld of foreign relations of earlier provenance which cannot be dealt with by a global governance for which the West writes the rules, nor by diplomacy backed up by military means. A crisis, Kaviraj writes (1992: 81), opens up the future dramatically by forcing us to abandon the lines of extrapolations from the present which we specially favour and to understand the range of possibilities, but in a significant sense it also opens up the past. It forces us to look into complexities of the past and reconsider lines of possible development which existed but might not have materialised, or towards which we may have been indifferent.

"Regional Organizations and Their Impact on Global Politics" Regional organizations play a significant role in shaping global politics, acting as influential entities that bridge the gap between national interests and global governance. These organizations, such as the European Union (EU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the African Union (AU), are pivotal in fostering cooperation, economic integration, and political stability within their respective regions. In global politics, regional organizations often serve as platforms for collective action and as voices representing the interests of their member states on the world stage. For instance, the EU's unified foreign policy stance on various international issues demonstrates the power of regional cooperation in influencing global affairs. Similarly, ASEAN's role in promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia showcases how regional alliances can contribute to broader international security. Moreover, regional organizations play a critical role in economic globalization. By facilitating trade agreements and economic partnerships, they create integrated markets that contribute significantly to global economic dynamics. The EU's single market and the African Continental Free Trade Area are examples of such economic integration. However, the influence of regional organizations extends beyond economics and politics. They are instrumental in setting regional standards for human rights, environmental policies, and democratic governance, influencing global norms and practices. In conclusion, regional organizations are key actors in global politics, significantly impacting international relations through their collective actions and policies. Their role in promoting regional cooperation and stability has far-reaching implications for global governance and international diplomacy. #InternationalRelations #CrisisCommunication #GlobalPolitics #ConflictResolution #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy #GlobalAffairs #Peacebuilding #PoliticalScience #InternationalSecurity #GlobalDiplomacy #CrisisManagement #PublicDiplomacy #StrategicCommunication #InternationalLaw #PoliticalAnalysis #SouthAsianStudies #TerrorismStudies #MediaAndPolitics

I highly recommend the Policy & Practice Seminar Series by the UCL department of Political science! Yesterdays panel discussion on “Chinese economic diplomacy” featured eye opening remarks about Chinas true economic plans and underlying diplomatic strategies by Diana Choyleva,Yu Jie and Giulia S. They discussed Chinas move from global producer to consumer. To answer questions about how China can strengthen the Yuan, reverse its slowing economic growth, and change its overall International standing. Especially the thought provoking comments on Chinas interaction with the global south made me courious to learn more about the issue.

We have just completed the certification course in international relations . After completing this module you will be able to: 1_Define the international relations theory. 2_Recall the levels of analysis for analyzing governments, the balance of power and the biases that occur in international relations. 3_Explain the emergence of international relations. 4_Discuss the evolution of international relations. 5_Enumerate the theories of international relations. 6_List the reasons why the League of Nations was established. 7_Recall the historical background of international relations. 8_Define war in international relations. 9_Analyze the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on globalization. 10_Explain the Marxism approach to international political economy. 11_Differentiate between murder and killing in war. 12_Recall the causes of war. 13_Discuss the quest for peace. 14_List the Bretton Woods institutions. #internationalrelations #relations #international #brettonwoods #FMI #Worldbank #OMC #WTO #Banquemondiale #liberalisme #economie #trade #leaguenations #UN #Unitednations