Module Iii

THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
MODULE III
The Global Politics
The world is composed of many countries or states, all of them having
different forms of government. Some scholars of politics are interested in individual
states and examine the international politics of these countries. For example, a
scholar is studying politics of Japan may write about the history of its bureaucracy.
Other scholars are more interested in the interactions between states rather than
their internal politics. These scholars look at trade between deals between states
They also study political, military and other diplomatic engagements between two or
more countries. These scholars are studying international relations. Moreover, when
they explore the deepening of interactions between states, they refer to the
phenomenon of internationalization.
How does internationalization differ from globalization of politics?
Internationalization refers to the deepening of interactions between states,
Globalization of politics refers to the multiple interactions of relations between
states. According to Claudio et al. (2018, p. 27), there are four attributes of today's
global system.
1. There are countries or states that are independent and govern themselves.
2. Countries interact with each other through diplomacy.
3. There are international organizations, like the United Nations (UN) that facilitate
the interactions.
4. International organizations also take on lives of their own.
What is United Nations?
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 and committed
to maintaining international peace and security; developing friendly relations among
nations; promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
The work of the United Nations touches every corner of the globe and focuses on a
broad range of fundamental issues, like sustainable development, protection of the
environment and refugees, disaster relief and mitigation, counter terrorism, as well
as disarmament and non-proliferation.
Why do we have the UN?
✔ After World War I, the League of Nations was created to prevent another
world war.
✔ During World War II, the League of Nations was eliminated because it failed
to prevent another war.
✔ In 1945, with the end of WWII nearing, the United Nations was created to
replace the failed League of Nations.
History of the United Nations
✔ In 1945, San Francisco hosted the United Nations Conference on

International Organizations.
✔ There were 50 countries represented at the United Nations Conference
including: United States, France, United Kingdom, Soviet Union (now
Russia), and China.
✔ These five countries are known as the “Permanent Five” members.
Who are the Members and where is the location of UN?

✔ Almost all countries in the world are members of the UN.
✔ There are currently 195 countries in the UN (193 members and 2 observers:
Vatican City and Palestine).
✔ The headquarters is in New York City.
✔ The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is located in The Hague in the

Netherlands.
Sustainable Development Goals of UN
In 2015, the United Nations drew up a set of 17 global goals to combat poverty,
inequality, environmental destruction, and more by 2030. These Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) – representing international collaboration unparalleled in
human history – are now adopted by 193 countries.
All 193 member states of the United Nation have adopted 17 global goals to be
achieved by 2030, known as the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. The
SDGs offer a framework and blueprint for achieving sustainable global prosperity
and commit participating countries to individual and joint action for the good of all on
the planet. The SDGs are a successor to the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) which ran from 2000 to 2015.
The 17 SDGs are focused on a wide variety of topics:

1. No Poverty
2. No Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life On Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
What are the roles of United Nations?
1. Maintain international peace and security.

The United Nations was created in 1945, following the devastation of the
Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international
peace and security. The UN accomplishes this by working to prevent conflict,
helping parties in conflict make peace, deploying peacekeepers, and creating
the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often
overlap and should reinforce one another, to be effective.
2. Protect human rights.

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lay down the principles
that brought human rights into the realm of international law. Since then, the
Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments
and on-the-ground activities.
3. Deliver humanitarian aid.

The Organization is now relied upon by the international community to
coordinate humanitarian relief of emergencies due to natural and man-made
disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of national authorities alone.
4. Support sustainable development and climate action.

With the polar ice caps melting, global sea levels rising and cataclysmic
weather events increasing in ferocity, no country in the world is safe from the
effects of climate change. Building a more sustainable global economy will
help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
5. Uphold international law.

The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions
under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and
other sources of international law can be maintained". Ever since, the
development of, and respect for international law has been a key part of the
work of the Organization.
Parts/Main Bodies of United Nations

1. The General Assembly – the ‘town meeting’ of the world.
✔ Every member nation has a seat at the General Assembly.
✔ Brings up international issues that they want the Security Council to

deal with
✔ Holds elections for Security Council members and other leaders
2. UN Security Council – maintains world peace (most powerful branch)
✔ Made up of 15 countries:
o The “Permanent Five” countries
o 10 non-permanent countries (elected every two years)
✔ The strong-arm of the UN
✔ Maintains international peace
✔ How do they do this:

o Recommends peaceful negotiations (peace talks)
o Can use Economic Sanctions
o Can use Military Sanctions
3. Economic and Social Council - works with the UN’s economic, cultural,
health and educational activities.
4. Trusteeship Council – territories
5. ICJ – International Court of Justice
6. The Secretariat – administrative duties and can bring any topic before
the SC.
Sanctions
✔ Sanctions are used to punish a country for violating international law. They
can be used to force a country to follow a law.
✔ In order for sanctions to be used by the UN Security Council, ALL FIVE
permanent members must have a unanimous vote.
Types of Sanctions
✔ Diplomatic Sanctions – removal of all political ties (like embassies)
✔ Economic Sanctions – ban on all trade with a country (except food)
✔ Military Sanctions – using a military to force compliance.
Military Sanctions
UN Peacekeepers – a group of armed soldiers sent to a hostile area to promote
peace. They ARE NOT COMBAT TROOPS.
✔ These soldiers maintain peace.
✔ They don’t go on combat missions.
✔ They are not an ‘army’

UN Military Force – an army made up of soldiers from more than one UN country
that can serve as combat troops.
✔ They are not very effective and are not used very often.
Major UN Missions
East Timor (Asia) – the UN supervised the independence of this country
Iraq (Middle East) – UN tried to cut all trade with Iraq after it failed to comply with
international law, but some nations continued to trade with them.
Somalia (Africa) – UN humanitarian mission to get food and supplies to people in
need
Haiti (Caribbean) – UN helped strengthen government, army, and hold elections
Strengths of the UN
✔ Humanitarian efforts
o AIDS
o Landmine removal
o Food and supply organization
✔ Peacekeeping forces
✔ Will get involved with messes that no one else will

● Provides a forum for almost all of the world’s nations to discuss
international issues
Weaknesses of the UN
✔ Sanctions are only effective if ALL countries follow them.
✔ Military force is rarely used and is usually ineffective.
✔ ALL permanent members of the security council have to vote unanimously

(one country can stop a sanction)
✔ Inadequate funding by member nations
o 14 Countries Pay 85% of the subscriptions (membership fee)
Big gap between developing and industrialized nations.

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THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Why do we have the UN?

✔ In 1945, San Francisco hosted the United Nations Conference on

Who are the Members and where is the location of UN?

✔ The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is located in The Hague in the

Sustainable Development Goals of UN

The 17 SDGs are focused on a wide variety of topics:

What are the roles of United Nations?

1. Maintain international peace and security.

2. Protect human rights.

3. Deliver humanitarian aid.

4. Support sustainable development and climate action.

5. Uphold international law.

Parts/Main Bodies of United Nations

✔ Brings up international issues that they want the Security Council to

✔ Maintains international peace

✔ How do they do this:

✔ Economic Sanctions – ban on all trade with a country (except food)

✔ Military Sanctions – using a military to force compliance.

✔ They don’t go on combat missions.

✔ They are not an ‘army’

✔ Will get involved with messes that no one else will

✔ Sanctions are only effective if ALL countries follow them.

✔ Military force is rarely used and is usually ineffective.

✔ ALL permanent members of the security council have to vote unanimously

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