Download Supranationalism and Terrorism

SUPRANATIONALISM AND
TERRORISM
DEVOLUTION
AND
SUPRANATIONALISM
The modern world is divided into a system of states. Those states are in a constant struggle between two forces.
DEVOLUTION
SUPRANATIONALISM
Operates in three senses:
Supranationalism is the act of states forming joint groups:
1. In a centralized government, the relinquishing of
autonomy to internal units (ex: US)
2. The process where regions within a state demand and
gain political strength/autonomy at the expense of the
central government (ex: Denmark, Belgium, UK,
Canada, Spain)
3. The breakup of a state due to irreconcilable
differences between cultural groups (balkanization)
(ex: USSR, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia/Eritrea,
India)
1. political, economic and/or cultural cooperation among
states to promote shared objectives.
2. The tendency of states to give up power to a higher
authority in pursuit of common objectives (political,
economic, military, environmental)
Whereas devolution often indicates an inability to get
along, suprantionationalism involves greater
cooperation between diverse states.
EMERGENCE OF
SUPERPOWERS
During the Cold War Era (1940s to 1991), countries established global / regional organizations to help prevent a third world war and to stimulate trade in a globalizing world.
The division of the world into regional military alliances resulted in the emergence of two states (the US and the USSR) as superpowers.
Most states then joined alliances with either the US (in NATO) or the USSR (In the Warsaw Pact).
SUPRANATIONAL
COOPERATION
When the USSR devolved in 1991, the Cold War and the period of two super powers ended
The world has returned to a pattern of numerous superpowers, and the most important element of state power is more economic than military.
States do still cooperate militarily, however:
POLITICAL/MILITARY
United Nations (UN)… “maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations and promoting social
progress, better living standards and human rights.”
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)… “to safeguard the freedom and security through political and military means…
consulting and cooperating in the fields of security and defense.”
Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)… “forum for political negotiations and decision-making in the
fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.”
Organization of American States (OAS)… “an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their
collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence.”
African Union (AU)… economic integration of African states.
The Commonwealth… economic and cultural cooperation between the UK and former colonies
SUPRANATIONAL
COOPERATION
Since the USSR dissolved in 1991, the world has returned to a state of more than two superpowers.
In the wake of the cold war, the most important element of state power is economic, not military.
The leading superpower is now a union of European states.
ECONOMIC
European Union (EU)… a single market union of 27 European states with a common currency designed to foster trade and reduce conflicts in the
region.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)… an agreement to create a free trade zone between the US, Canada and Mexico.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)… “To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region
through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful
community of Southeast Asian Nations”
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)… “an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the
purpose of promoting economic, technical and cultural cooperation among the Member States. In 1992, the Organization was expanded to
include seven new members, namely: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic
of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan.”
Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR)… an economic and political agreement among various Latin American countries to promote free trade,
and the fluid movement of good, people and currency between member states.
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)… a regional bloc of all countries in the Americas except the US, Canada and
European dependencies designed to counter the political and economic influence of the US in the region and of the US run OAS.
CONSEQUENCES
IN EUROPE
DEVOLUTION
Numerous states exist where fewer existed before.
Many governments are decentralized with more power to
regions.
SUPRANATIONALISM
Larger market for member nations (more trade, free trade,
reduced tariffs, more prosperity)
Enhanced international influence for member countries as
a part of the whole.
Re-emergence of ethno-nationalism.
Open borders for labor and tourists.
Regional separatism rather than unity.
Common currency (the Euro).
Increased political instability (fighting, civil war, ethnic
cleansing, etc.)
Economic instability.
Common policy and less control over individual policy
(resources, agriculture, economy, environment, trade,
military).
Mass migrations through refugees and emigration.
Loss of national identity, enhanced international peace.
THE EUROPEAN
UNION AND THE
EUROZONE
Since its inception, the EU has grown to 27 member countries.
Its main objective is to create development in member states
through economic and political cooperation.
The Euro is a currency created by the EU and intended to replace the individual
currency of EU member nations.
The Eurozone is the group of countries who have adopted that currency, and it
includes 17 EU members and 6 other countries.
There is a jointly elected European Parliament, and the EU provides
subsidies to farmers and depressed regions. The EU has also
removed most barriers to free trade.
Adoption of the Euro proved to be an economic boon for Euroozone countries
until the 2008 global recession (caused by a collapse of the US housing market).
Citizens of member countries are allowed to move freely between
countries as well as work and own property in other countries.
As unsound spending and lending practices of Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and
Spain (PIGS) have come to light, the Euro and Eurozone have been unstable.
TERRORISM
TERRORISM
TERRORISM is the systematic use of violence
by a group in order to intimidate a population
or a government into granting that group’s
demands.
Terrorism is distinct from war in that terrorists
are often not associated with any uniformed
military and do not act as soldiers under a
formal declaration of war.
Terrorists use fear-based tactics like bombings,
kidnapping, hostage-taking and assassinations.
Terrorists consider their violence necessary as
a means for addressing their grievances.
Distinguishing terrorism from other acts of
political violence can often be difficult.
TERRORISTS
Terrorism can be perpetrated by individuals (Timothy
McVeigh, the Unabomber) or by groups (Al Qaeda).
Terrorists can be funded by individuals, groups or
states (Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, etc.)
While a state cannot officially be classified as a
terrorist organization, it can support terrorists in a
number of ways:
--Providing sanctuary
--Providing weapons, money or intelligence
--Black Flag Operations (planning attacks using
terrorists)
RECIPES FOR
UNREST
As we saw in the religion and ethnicity units, minority groups will often resort to violence either to defend themselves against
larger groups in power or to gain autonomy for themselves in their core regions.
Highly fragmented areas, areas of high heterogeneity (balkanized) regions are prone to be conflict zones.