Basic Concepts for the International Analysis

WORLD AFFAIRSAUGUST 2008

PROFESSOR: ARLENE RAMÍREZ URESTI

The Study of World Affairs

• International Relations: it’s the discipline that studiesthe interaction between countries.

• International Law: it's the branch of Law thatestablishes regulations and norms to generate a pacificcoexistence between countries.

• Diplomacy: the art of negotiation.

• The Congress of Vienna: took place in 1814. It’s

main objective was to establish European stability

based on the organization of Europe before the

French Revolution. It’s considered the basis of

modern Diplomacy.

Main purposes of International Law

• To create a standard of Law that makes easier any

kind of negotiation between countries.

• To solve any controversy between Subjects of Law.

Subjects of Law

• Any person/country that is under the regulation of a

specific Law. Also called Subjects of Study.

International Law according to its subjects of

study.

• International Law has two

main branches according to

its subjects of study:

INTERNATIONAL LAW

PRIVATE PUBLIC

International Public Law

• It’s in charge of regulate the relations between countries. It has twodifferent kind of subjects of Law:

a) Typical Subjects of International Public Law:

The State

International Governmental Organizations

International Non Governmental Organizations

b) Exceptional Subjects of International Public Law:

Charismatic Leaders

Insurgency Groups

Guerrilla Groups

National Liberation Groups

Terrorist Groups

Territories with recognized autonomy

Individual

International Private Law

• Regulates International Trading and Business between

enterprises, Foreign Investment (direct and indirect),

International Flow of Capital and Transfer of Technology

(also called Know How Transfer).

Direct Foreign Investment

• Trough the establishment of Transnational and Multinational

Enterprises (also called Joint Ventures).

Indirect Foreign Investment

• Trough the Capital Market of the National Stock Household

(buying stocks, property titles and assets).

The World Order

It is defined as the discernible patterns of

regularity in the behavior of international. actors.

The end of world orders had traditionally meant

Great Wars.

In other words, the World Order might also be

seen as the configuration of the International

Relations to maintain the balance of power

(status quo).

Bipolarity

• Most recent World

Order.

• It brought a certain

feeling of logic and

security.

• Prevailed during the

Cold War Era

(1945-1991).

• Two superpowers.

Amongst the different variables to be considered for

international analysis today, there are three most

predominant:

• The end of bipolarity.

• Globalization/Modernization.

• Post-modernity.

The end of bipolarity

• The demise of the USSR is a wonder. It meant the end of a ‘world order’

in a rather peaceful way.

• Challenges of the post Cold War era:

1.Define a new world order.

2.Theory: End of History? Unipolarity? Clash of Civilizations? Market State?

3.International Agenda: Spread of democracy? Ethnicity? Gender Equity?

Ecological balance? Regional blocks?