Sample Summary #1

Heidi Montag                                           PS 106 01
December 4, 2008                                   Summary # 7

Chapter 18: Global Politics
W. Phillips Shively

In chapter eighteen of Power and Choice Shively takes a closer look at global politics. Global politics refers to the interactions between multiple states. The choices that these groups make, especially in terms of power, affect their interactions and also events that occur on a global scale. Global politics has always loosely followed this definition, but as a whole these political interactions have changed dramatically since the end of World War II.

Before World War II, Europe held the majority of the world’s power. As the twentieth century began to approach, Europe was gradually becoming over exhausted and began to weaken. This allowed for the Soviet Union and the United States to emerge as important world powers. As Europe began to grow less important, the United States and the Soviet Union became a bipolar system, governing large portions of political power. When tensions arose between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, this bipolar system began to create a problem. This eventually gave way to a Cold War, where no physical fighting ensued. Nuclear weapons became a central focus of this war, making it impossible for either side to make significant progress.

Another significant change that occurred around this time period was the growing importance of the third world in international politics. While individually the states that make up the third world are not very strong, when they come together they hold significant weight on a global scale. Since the Cold War the tension that has arisen between the developed world and the third world has created further issues. While these problems have complicated global interactions, a few changes have taken place that has lessened hostility on a global scale. International politics has expanded because a larger group of states has begun to hold weight. Also, states have become more dependent on one another. Open markets have allowed individuals to see similarities across state lines. Another improvement has been the recent attempt to create a law that allows for international enforcement across boundary lines.

While similarities can be drawn between politics in a state and politics across state lines, there are also significant differences between the two. One noticeable difference between the two is that there is no form of central authority in international politics. This makes settling problems between states particularly difficult. A lack of central authority allows for an unequal balance of power between larger and smaller states. Not having a central authority also forces leaders to have a better grasp on their morals, since there isn’t very much standing in between them and corruption. International politics can also face problems when it comes to leaders of different states communicating with one another. Quite a bit of information can be lost in translation and cultural differences can also make communication difficult.

As mentioned earlier, more than anything international politics is swayed by those who have the most power. The power of a state is often determined by how strong their military is, their overall population, their economic power, their geography and their leaders. While power effects the larger international decisions made, on a day to day basis not everything is based on power. Smaller decisions are made through the use of consulates. An ambassador from each state also helps to make decisions. While the international system may not have a central form of authority, international sanctions can be used to punish a state. If issues between states become extremely serious and non-negotiable then war is also an option.