An+Introduction+to+Global+Politics

These concepts, events and definitions are to be drawn initially from our text: __Global Politics: Origins, Currents Directions__, Second Edition.

For the week of September 12th - September 18th your task as students studying International Politics is to read Chapter 1 of the text, and demonstrate your individual and collective understanding by building information within this page. A summary & explanation for each event and concept needs to be built, using our textbook as a starting point. DO NOT limit yourselves to the text however, as it is not the only good source of information available. Books, websites, articles and more can also be used to build your understanding.

You may add text, quotes, images, web links and links within our wiki-space itself. Within only a few limits, we are going to creatively generate a repository of information for our future use.

As you add to our wiki please cite your source(s) of information so that we can evaluate and verify the accuracy and limitations of our sources as we learn more about the dynamic field of Global Political interactions.

Nation State
A nation state is a state that essentially has one nation living within its borders. A state may be defined as a distinct territory with a sovereign institutional and legal structure that controls this territory. A nation may be described as people who share common characteristics, mainly ethnic, religious, historical, and linguistic. A nation state is a combination of these. (1)

A nation state is a synonym for country. A nation state can be based on either a civic nationalism (translation?) or an ethnic nationalism (translation?) or both. A nation state doesn't necessarily include just one nation or an entire nation; it can be composed of multiple nations or only part of a nation. (2)

An example of a nation state is Japan. Japan is an independent country with distinct borders and has the right to govern itself. The people of Japan share qualities such as race, culture, language, as well as history.

Currently the list of nation states around the world is Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Maldives, Malta, North and South Korea, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, and Swaziland. (3)

Today, very few nation states exist as a result of globalization and mobility. A nation state is essential one that has one nation living in its borders, but most states in the world today have multiple nations living within its borders. Canada and the United States would qualify under these nations, which are called multination-states. It is important to distinct which is which in the study of international politics as issues of governance are dependant upon it. (4)

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 34.
 * 2) Gardner, Robert, Hoogeveen, Margaret, McDevitt, Daniel J. and Scully, Angus L. __Explorons le nationalisme__. Chenelière McGraw-Hill, Chenelière Éducation. 2009. Pg 389.
 * 3) Unknown author, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation_state, Septmeber 16th 2011
 * 4) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 34.

The Cold War
Hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union in the bipolar era (roughly, 1947-90).(1) The Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union. This collapse was largely due to two reasons: one was the collapse of the Soviet economy due to the costs of the arms race, while the others was the increasing challenges of it's control in Eastern Europe such as the collapse of the Berlin Wall. (2) The cold war was particularly frightening because if Russia or the United States had gone through with their threats, much of civilizition would have been wiped out. (5) Although the Cold War is over, it has left many legacies, the most obvious of which is evident in the advancement of military weapons. The competition between the USA and USSR also led to the Space Race, leading to construction of spacecraft and better observation technology. [7]. It has allowed modest exploration of the Universe that has led to large changes in the world view that people hold. More and more sources prove that a fight between the USA and the USSR actually happened off the coast of the Azores. In spring of 1968, the Soviet submarine "K-129", containing nuclear missiles, mysteriously disappears in the pacific. A few weeks later, the US submarine "USS Scorpion" sinks on its way to the naval base Norfolk. The Navy finds the submarine off the coast of the Azores, far off its original course. (6)

“A wall is a hell of a lot better than a war.” **John F. Kennedy**, August 1961 (on the construction of the Berlin Wall in reference to the Cold War) (8)

During the cold war a large number of the world's countries started to support one of the two major superpowers: USA and USSR. Amidst this tension, there were a number of countries that had just been freed from colonialism such as India and Pakistan. These countries have decided not to align to any one ideology or bloc and have remained non-aligned. As of 2011, there are 120 members and 10 observer states.(?) The motive behind the nonaliged route was an effort to remain free of dependence on either superpower.(3) Both the US and the USSR were targeting Non-Aligned states as both countries wishes to have more control and to spread their different ideals. An example of an Non-Aligned state in the Cold War is the country of India which did not ally itself to neither the US nor the USSR.
 * Non-Aligned States**

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 415.
 * 2) American History. []Retrieved on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
 * 3) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 4.
 * 4) TalkTalk. www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0005012.html Retrieved on Friday, September 17, 2011.
 * 5) WordPress [] Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
 * 6) ZDF. http://history.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/22/0,1872,8248310,00.html . Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
 * 7) ThinkQuest [] Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011
 * 8) History in an Hour: History for busy people. []. Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

Middle Powers
Countries that do not possess the power attributes of the great powers but that can have a significant impact on international politics in certain specific regions or in certain specific issue-areas. Canada is often described as a middle power, though some call it a satellite of the United States.(1)

Middle power diplomacy describes the types of foreign policies and attitudes which countries adopt. It is not "middle" as in military size or economic activity but where a country stands on an issue and where it invests its opinion, resources and skill. A country who is a middle power will most likely develop middle power diplomacy in that said country will avoid direct confrontation with great powers. However, this is not a sign of inferiority as middle powers hold themselves to a high rectitude and act as "moral players" in the diplomatic field. Even though middle powers usually maintain a neutral stance on issues, they will take a stand when issues that could infringe on morality - such as human rights, environment and arms control - are brought up. As well, middle power diplomacy is the one of the most salient forces driving the process of transnational institutional building.(2)

Under the definition of Soeya Yoshihide, some common characteristics of middle power diplomacy include:
 * supporting multilateralism through bolstering global institutions and allying with other middle powers
 * high level of civil society running through the country's foreign policy
 * a national identity which reflects its "novel foreign policy": peacekeeping, human security, international criminal court and Kyoto Protocol

In March 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd defined his nation's foreign policies to be an example of middle power diplomacy.(3)

An example where middle powers have teamed up as a defining entity is the Middle Powers Initiative. The Middle Powers Initiative is a program of the Global Security Institute. Its mission is to reduce and eventually eliminate the presence of nuclear weapons in the world by increasing verification and control. Though this campaign, eight international non-governmental organizations (for which eight, see []) work with various middle power governments to encourage and educate nuclear states to reduce nuclear dangers and negotiate for the elimination of nuclear weapons. In this case, middle powers are countries that are politically and economically significant, internationally respected and have relinquished the nuclear arms race. The last part is the most vital, as this gives these middle powers political credibility in their motives.(4)

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 421.
 * 2) Yoshihide, Soeya. "Japan’s Regional Diplomacy: Placing the Alliance." In Person. <[]>. Web. 17. Sept. 2011
 * 3) Shanahan D. [|Time to go global, urges Rudd], //The Australian.// (2008) Web. 17. Sept. 2011
 * 4) [] (n.d.) Web. 17. Sept. 2011

Group of Eight (G8)
The eight largest economies (the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada); government representatives meet often to coordinate monetary policies.(1) One of the goals of the G8 is providing aid to Africa not only that but the promised to increase aid to the continent by 25 billion dollars a year by 2010. (2) The G8 lacks an administrative structure since it does not have a permanent secretariat or offices for its members. The G8 was officially created in 1997 after Russia joined the G7. (3)

Since 1975, the governments of major industrial democracies have been meeting to discuss major economic and political issues facing their domestic societies and the international community. The six countries at the first summit - held in Rambouillet, France in November 1975 - were the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Japan and Italy. They were joined by Canada at the San Juan Summit of 1976 in Puerto Rico. With it, the G6 (which is now more commonly used as reference to the six most populous countries in the European Union) became the fixed G7. However, starting with the 1994 Naples Summit, the G7 has met with Russia, although Russia has not been recognized to be a member of G7, ever since. The Denver Summit marked full Russian participation in all but certain financial discussions; and the 1998 Birmingham Summit saw once again, full Russian participation and thus gave birth to the Group of Eight, or G8. However, it wasn't until the announcement of Russia hosting the 2006 summit during the 2002 Kananaskis Summit in Canada, was Russia's full membership recognized.

The G7/8 summits have consistently dealt with macroeconomic management, international trade and relations with developing countries. As well, east-west economic relations, energy and terrorism have been recurrent concerns. More recently, this initial foundation has expanded considerably to include microeconomics issues such as employment and the information highway, transnational issues, such as the environment, crime and drugs, and a host of political-security issues ranging from human rights through regional security to arms control.

The responsibility of hosting rotates through the members at the end of each annual cycle and during the year, the leader's personal representatives - known as sherpas - meet regularly to discuss the agenda and monitor progress.

The G8 provides an important occasion for busy leaders to discuss prevalent convoluted issues and to develop the personal relations that help them respond in an effective collective fashion to sudden crisis or during times of need. The summits also directs the international community by setting goals and priorities, defining new issues and providing guidance to international organizations. Members comply modestly with the general decisions and consensus generated at their annual meetings; and compliance towards agreements in international trade and energy are especially put in high regard.

In recognition of its crucial position in global governance, the summit has always attracted mass media attention at each leader's meeting and a number of countries seeking admittance into this exclusive and powerful club. It has also become the prime occasion for non-governmental and civil agencies to advocate on behalf of their concerns. As well, since the 1998 Birmingham Summit, the annual meeting has been an opportunity for anti-globalization demonstrations.(4)



Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 418.
 * 2) Food 4 Africa. [] Retrieved on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
 * 3) [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G8#History]
 * 4) Casey, Brian. Ed. //The G8//. 2011 Summer Debate Camp Materials. Organizations Pg 8. Print.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Collective defense alliance created in 1949 to prevent the Soviet Union from attaining political influence or territorial conquests in Europe. The founding states are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. (4) Composed of 16 states by 1982, the alliance has restructured itself after the Cold War and admitted three new members in 1997. Headquarters are in Brussels.(1) One of the wars that NATO is engaging in is the war in Libya where they are helping the rebels fight Gaddafi's forces due to the fact that Gaddafi is a dictator who has been suppressing his own citizens in which case many of them were starving. Since 1949 NATO has added 12 new members and is at 28 states. The last two states added were in 2009. (3) In places where the UN has not been useful in solving conflicts, NATO's help has been used in helping resolve the issue. For example, in the Yugoslavian Civil War NATO intervened to save the lives of the civilians.

From 1945 to 1949, Western Europe and their North American Allies were concerned with the expansionist policies and practices of the USSR. As the Western governments fulfilled their own wartime promises and reduced their defense establishments as well as demobilize forces, they were becoming increasingly alarmed as Soviet forces seemed to have no intention to follow suit. Additionally, although the Soviet government respected various United Nations Charters and settlements, those agreements do not guarantee the national sovereignty or independence of a democratic state faced with internal or external threat and aggression. These factors and a few dramatic political events between 1947 and 1949 brought about the Brussels Treaty of March 1948 and instigated the core idea NATO - beginning with the first five Western European nations: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The pinnacle events included the direct threats to the sovereignty of Norway, Greece, Turkey and other Western European countries, the June 1948 coup in Czechoslovakia, and the illegal blockade of Berlin which began in April of the same year. The five countries teamed up to develop a common defense system and form bonds which would enable immediate response if there was any ideological, political or military infringement. Later on, negotiations with Canada and the United States formed the creation of a single cross Atlantic Alliance based on mutual security guarantees and commitments between Europe and North America.(5)

The North Atlantic Alliance was created by the member states each freely to and are admitted though public debate and parliamentary process. The Treaty uphold their individual rights as well as their international obligation to the United Nations Charter. It commits each member to share risks, responsibilities and benefits of security and requires each of them to not sign any other commitment which might conflict with the Treaty. Half a century of history has taken place between the creation of the Alliance to current day, and with the progression of time NATO's main focus of providing immediate defense and security has also changed. For more details and specifics about its present goals and aims, please see the NATO Handbook at []

This Picture shows the countries that belong to NATO and also puts in perspective where they are found on a global specter. It can also help to see what countries are surrounding them, because they could have influences. (6)

The 28 member countries work together to promote democratic values, prevent conflict, as well as are committed to resolving disputes. The member states make up what is called the Organization. The main decision makers make up the North Atlantic council. They work together once a week, or as needed, to discuss the primary political issues. Moreover, NATO’s Secretary General alongside military experts and officials from NATO countries chairs the issues discussed by the North Atlantic council. Lord Robertson was the Secretary General from 1999-2003. The current Secretary General is Anders Fogh Rassmussen. (7)

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 422.
 * 2) NATO. [] Retrieved on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
 * 3) [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO#Cold_War]
 * 4) NATO. http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_52044.htm Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
 * 5) Casey,Brian. Ed. //NATO//. 2011 Summer Debate Camp Materials. Organizations Pg 9. Print.
 * 6) NATO members in 1949, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/109272/To-strengthen-themselves-against-possible-communist-aggression-12-countries-formed,
 * 7) North Atlantic Treaty Organization. []. Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

Multilateralism
Multilateralism occurs when countries within the international community organize economic, foreign or defence policies. This term is commonly referred to in terms of global trade. (1) This is based on the principle that participation by a lot of people is beneficial and is in direct contrast to unilateralism.

An example of a multilateral organization is the World Trade Organization. An example of a multilateral action is NATO's involvement in Lybia, and both the no-fly zone as well as the air strikes being carried out against Gadhafi's military assets(2)

The World trade organization works together to deal with the rules of trade between nations. Through agreements negotiated and signed by the member states to ensure that producers of goods and services as well as importers and exporters appropriately conduct their business. Currently the WTO has 153 members. (3)

Sources:

 * 1)  about.com: [] Retrieved on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011.
 * 2) NATO- NATO and Lybia [] Retrived on sunday September 18th, 2011
 * 3) World Trade Organization. [] . Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

High Politics
Traditionally considered the politics of war between states; military security and diplomacy.(1) Unlike low politics, high politics regards the common good within a governmental unit.(2) It involves matters that are essential to the survival of the state. For instance, subsequent to Russia's gas supply cut-off to Ukraine in 2009, European leaders made energy security a priority as a matter of "high politics".(3)

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 419.
 * 2) Citizensvoice.com. [|http://citizensvoice.com/news/high-politics-for-the-common-good-1.1188921#axzz1YAv29NE4]. Retrieved on Saturday, September 17th, 2011.
 * 3) worldpoliticsreview.com. []. Retrieved on Saturday, September 17th, 2011.

Low Politics
Label given to those aspects of international relations that were (or still are) believed to be less important or decisive than military power, alliances, and diplomacy. Included trade, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations, culture and travel.(1) Environmental issues are also considered to be a matter of Low Politics. This makes agreements like the Kyoto Protocl international examples of Low Politics. (2)

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 421.
 * 2) Sens, Alen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions,__ Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 5

Absolute Poverty
The condition of being unable to meet basic subsistence needs of food, clothing, and shelter.(1) Currently, the United Nations believes that Half of the world's poorest countries can escape poverty by 2020 if those countries receive much needed development aid, duty/quota free access for exports, increase farm productivity and school enrollment. (2)

The World Bank describes "Extreme Poverty" or absolute poverty as living on less than $1.25 (USD) per day. In 2001 supposedly 1.1 billion people lived on a dollar or less a day.(3) Dr. David Gordon from the United Nations has suggested a different criteria for absolute poverty. Gordon formed a list of basic human needs including things such as access to clean water, food, health services and access to information, and qualifies a deprivation of two of these needs as absolute poverty. (4)

Countries where more than 50% of the population live in absolute poverty (earning less than $1.25 (USD) a day) are Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Uganda. (5) (6)

This is a list of ways to calculate if a person in a developping country is living in absolute poverty: • The number of working (defined as at least one household member with labour income) and non-working households was estimated from the LIS files (Appendix Tables A6-A8); this allows the calculation of the relative importance of the two types of households.

• The average size of the working and non-working households was calculated from the LIS files (Appendix Tables A9 and A10).

• Based on the average family size and the number of working and non-working households in the LIS files, the total number of persons in each household type in the LIS sample is calculated (Appendix A11 and A12).

• The relative share of the total population in working households is applied to the total population (taken from the OECD data base [Appendix A5]) to obtain the number of total persons in working households (Appendix Table A13).

• The absolute poverty rate for working households (Table 5) is then applied to the number of persons in working households to estimate the total number of persons in poor households (it is assumed that the size of poor and non-poor working households is the same).

From this calculation list it is estimated that in 17 developed countries that 68,646 households are living in absolute poverty even under employment. (7)

Free the Children is an organization that is aimed towards bring emergency aid, education, and support to bring forth a sustainable solutions and empower to communities to cope with crisis. Free the Children works to help countries and communities in absolute poverty all around the world in order to create a better and equal life for all. (8) (9)

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 413.
 * 2) United Nations. [] Retrieved on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
 * 3) [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty#Absolute_poverty]
 * 4) United Nations. []. Retrieved on Sunday, September 18 2012.
 * 5) Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_percentage_of_population_living_in_poverty . Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
 * 6) The World Bank. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY/countries . Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
 * 7) McGill University, Estimates of relatives in absolute poverty for the working population in developed countries, CSLS, June 1 2001, http://www.csls.ca/events/cea01/sharpeilo.pdf
 * 8) Free the Children. [] . Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
 * 9) Google Images. [|www.google.com/images]. Retrieved on Friday, September 30th, 2011.

Unilateralism
Unilateralism refers to one sided initiatives or the actions of a single state. (1) This is in direct contrast to multilateralism. The invasion of Iraq by the United States is often cited as an example of unilateralism, as the United States chose to proceed with the invasion even against the interests of allies such as France and Germany. (2)

"The world can't be run by unilateralism and monopoly any longer. It is not acceptable to see that a select group of governments and countries consider themselves superior and prevent others from the world management," President Ahmadinejad (on Unilateralism, more specifically American Unilateralism) (3)

Sources:
1.Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 425 2. British Broadcasting Corporation. [] Retrieved on Friday, September 16, 2011. 3. Press TV. []. Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

Omnicide
Literally, the killing of all life, as might result from a nuclear war.(1) Omnicide is a relatively new term in this world as it was only conceived after the nuclear arms race and the build up of tensions during the Cold War. The idea of the actual annihilation of all life on earth has acted as a restrain for leaders ever since the Cold War. This period also gives a confrontation that is the likely closest our world has ever come to global thermonuclear war between the United States and the U.S.S.R. during the Cuban missile crisis. It is clear that while both sides were proud and set in their ways, it was the threat of such a war destroying all life that eventually led to a conflict free resolution.(2) Omnicide is known by some as the sixth mass extinction on earth. “Great biological diversity takes long stretches of geologic time ... The richest ecosystems build slowly over millions of years. It is further true that by chance alone only a few species are poised to move into novel adaptive zones, to create something spectacular and diversity. A panda or sequoia represents a magnitude of evolution that comes along only rarely. It takes a stroke a luck and a long period of probing, experimentation, and failure. Such a creation is part of deep history, and the planet does not have the means nor we the time to see it repeated.” -- E. O. Wilson, “The Diversity of Life” (3)



Sources:
 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 422.
 * 2) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 6, 90, 94.
 * 3) Omnicide: the Killing of Everything, unknown author, http://www.oilempire.us/omnicide.html, August 7th 2011
 * 4) Omnicide “Killing of Everything” []. Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

Free Trade
International movement of goods unrestricted by tariffs or nontariff barriers.(1) In Canada, the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) ensures a free trade zone between Canada, the United States, as well as Mexico. Not only are tariffs eliminated and restrictions on trade greatly decreased, with this agreement, Canada is able to have secure and stable access to the markets of the United States. (3) Free trade is also a great way to open up a nation's market to foreign marks, because of this increase in trade with other nations, Canada's private sector is booming.

Why trade? Ultimately, the benefit of trade comes from its allowance for specialization, and thus it allows for goods to be produced at the cheapest cost possible.

If trade is so ideal, why are there barriers? First, the definition of trade barriers. There are three types; an economic tariff which must be paid in order for the services or goods to enter the designated country, a regulatory standard in which all products must be checked with and met for entrance and an outright ban on the importation of certain goods. However, because most countries enforce some sort of regulatory standard on imported products, this type of barrier is more often looked as an inspection for safety rather than an actual barrier to trade. As well, because there is no leeway for discussion on an outright ban, the context which most free trade is set around is about the first type of trade barrier, the economic tariffs. Economic barriers make importers pay a fee to the government to sell their product, thus having more expenses then a local business. Because of this fee, imported products will often have to be sold at a higher price. For this reason, the government instigates economic tariffs to discourage local citizens from buying goods or services that go outside the country. As well, this is often done to protect local manufacturers from competition (a type of protectionism).

The ultimate justification for free trade is because trade barriers eventually even out, and nothing really happens except one industry is sacrificed in the protection of another and everyone pays substantially more for everything. This can be better elucidated with a hypothetical situation. Canada wants to import $1000 worth of Mandarin oranges from China. China needs to pay $250 as a duty tax to the Canadian government while still needing to sell their $1000 worth of raw assets. The $250 that China has to pay is an example of a trade tariff. Now, a few consequences occur:
 * Canadians who want to buy these Mandarin oranges have to pay at least $1250 instead of just $1000 because China still needs profit. Canadians are penalized because trade tariffs raise the prices for imported products.
 * Canadians may thus buy less Mandarin oranges, and if they choose to just not buy anything else, this could lower economic activity.
 * The government makes $250 that it never had before.
 * It will be easier for Canadian producers of Mandarin oranges (which realistically, is near non-existent) to flourish. If Mandarin oranges cost $1150 to produce in Canada, then Canadian businesses should have no trouble finding buyers by selling their oranges at a cheaper price.
 * However, because there is no competition, Canadian producers have no incentive to sell their Mandarins for anything less than $1249. Local businessmen will charge the highest price possible and they will still be able to sell because they have a monopoly on Mandarin oranges costing less than the imported price, $1250.

However, this is just a portrayal of Canada's inner effects from this $250 trade tariff. On a broader perspective, China may charge a duty tax on Canadian imported Softwood Lumber. Thus it may make it harder for Canada to export their lumber and its industry may suffer and cutting jobs would be a very probable result. The net result of this tariff of $250 is that Canadians have to pay more for Mandarin oranges then they otherwise would have, and any savings in Canadian jobs they would lose in the Softwood Lumber industry. The Canadian producer no longer has any incentive to sell for less than the imported price of Mandarin oranges and this makes it even harder for average Canadians who now have no choice but to purchase ridiculously expensive oranges. So basically, Canadians pay more for the same number of jobs and Canadian manufacturers have become less competitive than they otherwise would have been forced to become.

And this is the paramount justification for free trade. Through the example above, it is concluded that trade barriers do not protect jobs, they simply make people pay more and they do not protect industries in the long run as one will trade for the other. Economic trade barriers penalize exporters and importers, protect local traders and make consumers purchase at a higher price. So as long as every country agrees to play by the same rules and remove their tariffs on the same conditions, free trade is established and everyone is benefited.

However, there are two scenarios where instituting trade barriers make sense and are necessary:


 * 1) For short-term protectionism of an industry. For example, an industry that is just starting off, and needs some time to break even. Tariffs can shield young industries from competition until they pay off their debts and are ready to function and fight like any other company.
 * 2) For protection of an industry that is not mainly for economic reasons. For example, the Canadian film industry still gets protected and subsidized to prevent a complete invasion of American culture in our airwaves. These barriers may cost more economically, but there is a political benefit which justifies the cost. Culture and arts can be usually be classified as a necessary economic sacrifice.(5)

[|Free trade illustration] (2)
 * Sources:**
 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 418.
 * 2) Google images: free trade. Retrieved Tuesday, September 13th, 2011.
 * 3) The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0003054. Retrieved Thursday, September 15th, 2011.
 * 4) International Trade Administration. []. Retrieved on Friday, September 17, 2011.
 * 5) Casey,Brian. Ed. //Free Trade and Globalization//. 2011 Summer Debate Camp Materials. Issues Pg 32. Print.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
A profit-seeking enterprise with operations in at least two states. Powerful actors in global politics today.(1) An example of a Multinational Corporation would be Nike (2), which has undergone criticism over its exploitation's of labor in overseas factories.(3) Multinational corporations such as Nike are under often heavy scrutiny because of the practice of producing thier product in underdeveloped, under legislated countries which often do not have a minimum wage. This practice will obviously increase a MNC’s profits as they do not have to pay their workers. Many critics believe the practice of producing goods in an underdeveloped country is amoral because it is unfair to the workers who are often paid less than 50 cents an hour to produce a hundred dollar shoe.(4) Another example of a multinational corporation is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart advocates how it creates jobs, wealth, and improves technology in developing countries, enhancing quality of life. On the other hand, Wal-Mart has been severely criticised particularly in that it exploits underdeveloped countries through cheap labour, poor work conditions and employee benefits, as well as violation of workers' rights.(6)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa3wyaEe9vE This youtube link is the movie trailer to the movie the corporation. This movie and trailer highlights the problems related to big multinational corporations. It shows specifically how big corporations work, take advantage of people, and are eventually taking over. (5) Sources:
 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 422.h8
 * 2) []
 * 3) []
 * 4) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg .257-259
 * 5) freakpowerticks, "The Corporation official movie trailer" November 24th 2004, Youtube
 * 6) Investopedia.com. [|http://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/multinationalcorporation.asp#axzz1ZUWnWTEz]. Retrieved on Friday, September 30th, 2011.

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Groups that do not represent the views of governments; usually operating for the purpose of charity or value propagation. INGOs are those NGOs with operations or members in at least two states.(1)

A example of an NGO would be greenpeace since it does not accept funding from governments or intergovernmental organizations. (2) Greenpeace accepts funding from voluntary donations made by the people in multiple countries, making it an INGO. Annother example of an NGO would be the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS), who's goals include promoting awarness about issues involving women such as violence and poverty in addition to providing opportunities to girls who would not normally get them. (3)

Habitat for Humanity: This is a national Non-Profit, Non- governmental organizations that have a goal of working together for a better world. They have programs that help low income families have a safe place to live. This company works in Canada, the United states, but also everywhere in the world to try and promote safer living. Many non- governmental organizations are based on this same principal and especially on helping others. To learn more go to http://www.habitat.ca/en/about (4)

Sources:

 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 422.
 * 2) [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-governmental_organization#NPOs_and_NGOs]
 * 3) []
 * 4) 2011 Habitats for Humanity, http://www.habitat.ca/en/about

Perspectives on Global Politics
__**Idealism**__ Idealism is the belief that man is ultimately good and that man, in a natural setting, is more prone to live communaly than indiviudally. All evils that man commits, such as war, are the result of the institution or environment in which they live and are influenced. (1) Idealism is particularly concerned with cherishing the pursuit of high or noble principles.

One of the main proponents of idealism was the philosopher who actually defined the term, George Berkeley. The core of his argument revolved around three tenants. They were: 1. We perceive ordinary objects (houses, mountains, etc.). 2. We perceive only ideas. Therefore, 3. Ordinary objects are ideas. To read more on George Berkeley and his ideas follow the link to his profile on the Stanford Encyclopedia On Philosophy (2) The perspective of idealism often deals with the much debated question of human nature. The idealists advocate that people in their natural state are not evil or self-centered but rather they are born innocent and good. It is argued that it is a person’s environment and they way they are raised that cause them to retain this innocence or become more self-centered and evil. The main proponent for this particular idea on human nature is the philosopher Thomas Hobbes. (3)(4)

A common critism of idealism is that it does not work in practice.(5) Sources: 1. Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 11. 2. Stanford Encyclopedia On Philosophy [] Retrived on Sunday Sept.18th, 2011 3. Idealism [] Retrived Sunday September 18th, 2011 4. Stanford Encyclopedia On Philosophy [] retrived sunday Septermber 18th 2011 5. "Going after the Youthful Idealism Vote." Photograph. //Cartoon Stock//. First hsc4725. Web. 19 Sep 2011. .

__**Realism**__ Classical realism is the idea that people are nasty self-serving creatures and that power will corrupt them further, not only that but power is something which guarantees someone's survival. (1) Numerous types of realism exist. One example is naive realism. Naive realism differs greatly from classical realism. It is the theory that one's ordinary perception of physical objects is direct, and these objects possess the properties they appear to have. Thus, if an apple tastes sweet, a flower looks yellow, and an ice cube feels cold, under normal circumstances, the apple is sweet, the flower is yellow, and the ice cube is cold. Other examples of realism include: Critical, direct, legal, mathematical, moral, New, quasi, and anti-realism.(10) Some ideas of realism are outlined in Niccolo Machiavelli’s book The Prince. In the book Machiavelli takes a very cold and no-nonsense position regarding how a “prince” should conduct his affairs and those of his state in order to secure himself and allow his state to prosper. Some of the ideas that the book address include whether it is better to be feared or loved by your people. Machiavelli maybe one of history’s most profound realists, as it has painted him as a man who, when it came to preservation of self or state, would be willing to do anything to achieve his ends. This idea supports realism, in that the ideology states people that are driven by an intrinsic self-interest and a want to succeed. The key point is that this desire supersedes all other motivations. (15) (16)

__**Structural Realism**__ Structural realism is a theory devised by Kenneth Waltz suggests an approach where in the international structure serves as a constraint on state behaviour. Structural realism justifys the ways that individual counties approach achieving more power because it is reqired if the counntries wish to stay afloat and minimize their vulnerability. This is neccisary because there is no central state which has control over the rest of the worlds countries and so the system is rather anarchtic, with every country always needing to protect its own interests before considering anything else.(1) Sources:
 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions,__ Second Edition Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 11.

__**Liberalism**__ Liberalism is the idea that people are able to work together with other people for their own self-interest. In a liberal society people value the importance a democracy, law and justice. Furthermore the people will value of private ownership, free markets and especially how well their country is doing when it comes to economic growth. (2) It is crucial to note here that this refers to Classical Liberalism and not Modern Liberalism which encourages more government involvement in the economy and the provision of welfare. In the context of Canadian politics, the Wildrose Alliance Party follows Classical Liberalism where as the NDP follows Modern Liberalism. . It is interesting to note how the meaning of the word liberal has changed of the past decades. In the time of the Second World War thinkers like Fredrick Hayek were considered to be liberal. Today a person like him would be considered a very fiscal conservative. It is important for those studying modern day politics and economics to understand the way majorities and minorities have gone in and out of favour in the past (17)

__**Complex Interdependence**__ A theory that recognizes that not only states, but non-governmental organizations and multinationals play a growing role in international relations. This theory gives less prominence to the importance of military power in order to emphasize the importance of economic power to international relations. (1) A good example of how complex interdependence is shown in our world today, is our frequent relience on organizations such as Red Cross, The World Health Organization, and private transnational buisnesses which stimulate the ecconomy. These are all organizations that, for the most part, are non-governmental but often have a great effect on international relations. Sources: 1. Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 11.

__**Neoliberal Institutionalism**__ The idea that international cooperation can be made possible through the establishment of global institutions.(1) Is an idea that contradicted the Washington Consensus, and is composed of four elements: the less developed countries will experience economic difficulties due to state regulation, allmust control their inflation and balance their budget, they should rely on private enterprises to promote economic development, and they should pursue free trade by reducing barriers and tariffs. (2) An example of Neoliberal Institutionalism is the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Neoliberal institutionalists have a wide range of ideologies in regards to the nature of world politics. Interdependence between nations, international flow of people and communications, structural governance, system of governance, impact of international institutions, and non government organizations are only a few of the views that neoliberal institutions take into consideration. All together they hold the idea that international cooperation can only be made possible through the establishment of global institutions. (4)

 This image shows that there is an imbalance and this factor even in corporations that are supposed to limit these things like the United Nations. (3)

Sources: 1. Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 11. 2. Draper, Alan and Ramsay, Ansil.__The Good Society: An Introduction to Comparative Politic__ __3. Unknown Author, Neoliberalism and it's unfair critics,__ http://blirg.wordpress.com/tag/neoliberal-institutionalism/ 4. Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 104. __**Neomarxism and Dependency Theory**__ Neomarxism- A term for various twentieth-century approaches that amend or extend Marxism, usually by using elements from other intellectual traditions. For example, critical theory and existentialism. (1)

Dependence Theory- Predictions about the flow of resources from a poor underdeveloped state to a core of wealthy states, making rich states richer and the opposite for the poor states. In dependence theory it is a core belief that the "world system" is to blame; Because, of how it integrates poorer countries.(2) Contends that the north has created a neocolonial relationship with the south, which is dependant on northern capital (3)


 * 1) []
 * 2) []
 * 3) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 416

__**Feminism**__ Feminism is the ideology that advocates social, political and other rights of women equal to those of men. (8) The main goal of Feminism is gender equality around the world, they also argue that women's participation in affairs internationally have been very silent. (3) Feminism may also refer to any theory that views the relationship between male and female as one of inequality and aims to resolve the sources of that oppression. There are various types of feminism, such as liberal, socialist, and Marxist feminism; however they all may concur in the belief that there is something wrong with society's conduct towards women, but they differ in their diagnosis of the problem and proposals for change.(11) In the western world, feminism has often been divided into different waves. First wave feminism had as a goal equal voting rights for women. Second wave feminism promoted equal legal rights for men and women. According to the Globe and Mail, modern "third wave" feminism involves encouraging women into careers associated usually with men, and achieving wage equality. (1) It is important to note the various stages of feminisim throughout the world. In Canada women have, equal rights to men, but in many third world countries and middle-eastern countries women still are not given equal rights to men. It is important to remember that feminists still have some lengths to go to achieve total equality world wide.

The Rise of Feminism: During World war 1 women did not only take over jobs that were traditionally their roles, but also those of heavy work. This changed the role of women, and their prominence in politics. On Sept. 20, 1917, women gained a limited right to vote: According to the Parliament of Canada "women who are British subjects and have close relatives in the armed forces can vote on behalf of their male relatives, in federal elections." About a year and a quarter later, at the beginning of 1919, the right to vote was extended to all women in the //Act to confer the Electoral Franchise upon Women//. . Agnes MacPhail became the first woman elected to Parliament in 1921.(3)

FEMINISM: This political cartoon is depicting the feminist perspective on equality in parliament. Here, parliament seats are represented as soup that was only enough for the sons of the family to consume. So, when it came time for the daughter to have some soup, there was no more left. This is a clear example of issues that feministic ideology advocates for. (4) A classic feminism poster.(2)

1. The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/third-wave-of-feminism-urged-by-prominent-canadian-women/article1701942/. Retrieved Sunday, September 18 2012. 2. "An outlook of feminism in the 21st century." Photograph. //AltraPoint//. First skeptik@l. 2011. Web. 19 Sep 2011. . 3. Unknown, Feminism in Canada, May 4th 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminism_in_Canada 4. International Feminist Cartoon Exhibition. []. Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011. __**Postmodernism**__ Postmodernists mainly focus on how people interpret the world and how they act because of this, they don't believe that realists, liberals or Marxists will ever know what is happening around them due to their personal bias.(4) Postmodernism is a critique of Western rationality, logocentrism, humanism, the Enlightenment legacy, and the centered subject.(13) It is a doubtful viewpoint of theories that attempt to place all knowledge in a single framework. For example meta-narratives which are stories that try to condense the whole of human history into one overarching, single narrative.(14) Postmodernism became a familiar philosophical term upon Jean-Francois Lyotard's publication of "//La Condition Postmoderne//" in 1979.(12)

__**Environmentalism**__ Environmentalism is a political and social doctrine that believes in protecting the environment by emphasizing importance of the role of the environment in combination with various actions and policies oriented to its preservation. (9) Unlike many other ideals environmentalism is very complex not only that but environmentalism are not unified in a coherent body of theory.(5)

A good example on environmentalism in Internal politics is the "Kyoto Protocol." The goal of the Kyoto Protocol is to stabalize the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system (6). There are a total of 192 countries signed to the Kyoto Protocol and one that has signed and intends not to ratify (USA).(7) (18)

In Alberta: Today, Albertans are beginning to stir. Leila Darwish, Associate Prairie Chapter Director of the Sierra Club, sees change afoot. "In Alberta, for the first time in a long time we've been hearing more and more from impacted communities that the government they've supported no longer supports their interests. As an environmental movement we have to be ready to act on that." "For years and years environmental activists and scientists have been raising the problems of all these issues and for years they have just been completely ignored. The community has lost a lot of that sense of success about moving that environmental agenda forward," says Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. But as a long-time Alberta activist, Moore-Kilgannon believes the environmental message is finally getting through. "We're now hearing sentiments saying, yes we produce oil here, but ultimately we are living here and we want to have clean water."

The following cartoon represents the very issues environmentalists strive to overcome. The levels of concern for important environmental issues are depicted as very miniscule. Global Warming is a worldwide issue that environmentalists have been trying to overcome in order to prevent any further damage through laws and agreements (Kyoto protocol) as well as bringing forth awareness so ignorance on environmental issues, such as the one seen in this cartoon, is abolished.

Sources:
18. Tree Hugger[] Retrived Monday September 19th 2011 19. Environmentalism in Alberta, http://www.tarsandswatch.org/environmentalism-alberta-activists-say-communities-are-beginning-stand-tar-sands, November 2nd 2007 20. Environmentalism.[]. Retrieved on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
 * 1) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 11.
 * 2) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 12.
 * 3) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 13.
 * 4) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 13.
 * 5) Sens, Allen and Stoett, Peter. __Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions__, Second Edition. Nelson Thomson Learning. 2002. Pg 14.
 * 6) []
 * 7) []
 * 8) Dictionary.com. []. Retrieved: September 16, 2011
 * 9) Ecological Problems. []. Retrieved: September 16, 2011.
 * 10) Honderich, Ted (edited by). __The Oxford Companion to Philosophy__. Oxford University Press. 1995. Pg.602
 * 11) Honderich, Ted (edited by). __The Oxford Companion to Philosophy__. Oxford University Press. 1995. Pg. 270-271.
 * 12) Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. []. Retrieved on Saturday, September 17th, 2011.
 * 13) Bernstein, Richard. __The New Constellation, the Ethical-Politcal Horizons of Modernity/Postmodernity__. The MIT Press edition 1992. Pg 7.
 * 14) Atkinson, Sam (Ed.). __The Philosophy Book__. DK Publishing. 2011. Pg. 299, 342.
 * 15) Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince: By Niccolo Machiavelli and Other Related Documents, Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001.
 * 16) Realism(International Realtions)[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realism_(international_relations]) Retrived Sunday September 18th, 2011
 * 17) Fredrick Hayek, Road to Serfdom, University of Chicago Press, October 15, 1994 Pg. 15-20