Interdependance

Summary

In this instructional video, Alan Sands introduces the concept of interdependence in global politics, a key idea in political liberalism. He explains how states and non-state actors, like multinational corporations, NGOs, and international institutions, are interconnected through trade, finance, travel, and communication. Sands highlights the liberal view that this growing interdependence fosters peace and prosperity. However, critics like realists and Marxists argue that interdependence can lead to dominance and exploitation rather than mutual cooperation. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding interdependence in today's globalizing world.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Interdependence is a crucial concept in global politics, particularly in the theory of political liberalism.
• 🌐 The idea of interdependence is closely tied to globalization, highlighting a world that is increasingly interconnected.
• 🤝 Liberals argue that a more interdependent world leads to increased peace and prosperity.
• 🏛️ In the international system, states are not the only actors; multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international institutions also play vital roles.
• 🔗 Interdependence involves the mutual connectedness of states and non-state actors through channels such as trade, financial flows, travel, and communication.
• 📶 The international system is characterized by a growing network of interconnected relationships, resulting in more permeable state borders.
• ⚖️ Not all connections in the system are symmetrical; some actors may be more dependent or vulnerable than others.
• 💡 Interdependence is seen by liberals as a force for positive change, fostering cooperation and closer ties among global actors.
• ❗ However, realists argue that the world is still dominated by sovereign states in an international anarchy, making cooperation difficult.
• ✊ Marxists and dependency theorists view interdependence as a form of dominance and exploitation, benefiting only powerful elites and states.

Q & A

What is interdependence in the context of global politics?

Interdependence refers to the mutual connectedness and dependency of states and non-state actors in global politics, where their actions and decisions affect each other through various channels such as trade, finance, travel, and communication.

Why is interdependence important in political liberalism?

Interdependence is a key concept in political liberalism because liberals believe that a more interdependent world leads to more peace and prosperity through international cooperation and interconnectedness between states and non-state actors.

How does interdependence relate to globalization?

Interdependence is a fundamental part of globalization, where the increasing interconnectedness of states and non-state actors through economic, social, and political networks helps drive global cooperation and development.

Who are the key actors in the international system according to liberal theory?

According to liberal theory, the international system includes not only states but also non-state actors like multinational corporations (MNCs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union.

What are the main ways in which actors in the international system are interconnected?

Actors in the international system are interconnected through various means such as trade, financial flows, travel, and modern communication technologies, creating a complex and evolving web of relationships.

Do all actors benefit equally from interdependence?

No, not all actors benefit equally from interdependence. Some countries or non-state actors may be more dependent on these links, while others might be more vulnerable to disruptions, making the relationships asymmetrical.

How do liberals view the effects of interdependence on international relations?

Liberals argue that interdependence promotes international cooperation, leading to a more peaceful and prosperous world. They believe that closer ties between states and non-state actors foster mutual benefit.

What are the criticisms of interdependence from realists and Marxists?

Realists argue that the world remains a system of sovereign states living in international anarchy, where distrust and competition make cooperation difficult. Marxists and dependency theorists claim that interdependence is not about cooperation but about dominance and exploitation by powerful elites.

What role do non-state actors like NGOs and multinational corporations play in interdependence?

Non-state actors like NGOs and multinational corporations play significant roles in interdependence by engaging in global politics and forming links with states and other actors, influencing policies, economic flows, and social movements.

How does interdependence affect state sovereignty?

Interdependence challenges traditional notions of state sovereignty by making state borders more permeable to trade, finance, travel, and communication flows, increasing the influence of non-state actors and international institutions.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Introduction to Global Politics and Interdependence

Alan Sands introduces the instructional video series on global politics, filmed outside the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. He explains the focus of this video, which is on the concept of interdependence. He highlights its importance in political liberalism, a major theory in international relations. Interdependence is linked to globalization, suggesting that a more interconnected world leads to peace and prosperity. Sands sets the stage for a deeper exploration of this idea by defining interdependence as the mutual connectedness of states and non-state actors.

05:00

🌍 Actors in the International System

Sands explains that in the liberal theory of interdependence, states are not the only important actors in global politics. Other significant players include multinational corporations (MNCs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international institutions. MNCs are represented with squares, NGOs with triangles, and institutions like the UN and the EU with stars. These actors are all interconnected through trade, finance, travel, and communications, creating a web of relationships. Sands introduces the idea that this interconnected system influences global politics, with a focus on non-state actors playing key roles.

🌐 The Web of Global Interconnections

In this section, Sands discusses how the international system is characterized by an intricate and growing network of states and non-state actors. These actors are connected through various means like trade, financial flows, and modern communications, resulting in increasingly permeable state borders. While acknowledging that these connections are not always symmetrical—some actors may be more vulnerable or dependent than others—Sands underscores that interdependence promotes international cooperation, leading to a more peaceful and prosperous world.

⚖️ Critiques of Interdependence: Realists and Marxists

Sands presents alternative viewpoints on interdependence. Realists argue that despite interconnectedness, the world remains anarchic, with sovereign states acting in self-interest and cooperation being difficult. Marxists and dependency theorists critique liberalism by claiming that interdependence is not about cooperation, but about dominance and exploitation by powerful states and elites. They see global politics as driven by control rather than mutual benefits. Despite these criticisms, Sands concludes that interdependence remains a key concept, particularly in the context of globalization, and invites viewers to explore it further.

Keywords

💡Interdependence

Interdependence refers to the mutual connectedness and dependency between states and non-state actors. In the video, it is a central concept to political liberalism and global politics. It emphasizes the idea that no actor, whether a state or an organization, operates in isolation in the international system. Instead, they are interconnected through trade, financial flows, travel, and communication, contributing to cooperation and peace in the world.

💡Political Liberalism

Political liberalism is a key theory of international relations that emphasizes cooperation between states and non-state actors. In the context of the video, it is tied to the idea of interdependence, arguing that a more interconnected world will be more peaceful and prosperous. Political liberals believe that as countries and organizations become more dependent on each other, they are more likely to avoid conflict.

💡Globalization

Globalization refers to the process of increasing interconnection and integration of economies, societies, and cultures across the world. The video highlights how interdependence is wrapped up with globalization, as it creates a network of interconnected relationships through trade, finance, travel, and communication. This interconnectedness makes borders more permeable and involves more actors beyond just states.

💡Non-State Actors

Non-state actors are entities that play a significant role in international relations but are not governments. In the video, examples of non-state actors include multinational corporations (represented by squares) and non-governmental organizations (represented by triangles). These actors influence global politics through their activities, such as trade, advocacy, or humanitarian efforts, contributing to the web of interdependence.

💡Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Multinational corporations are large companies that operate in multiple countries. In the video, MNCs are represented as non-state actors that contribute to interdependence in the global system. Their operations across borders, particularly in trade and finance, link countries together, fostering economic ties and cooperation between states.

💡Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

NGOs are non-profit organizations that operate independently from governments and often advocate for social, environmental, or humanitarian causes. In the video, NGOs like Amnesty International and Greenpeace are examples of non-state actors involved in global politics. They influence international relations by promoting cooperation on global issues, such as human rights and environmental protection.

💡International Institutions

International institutions are organizations formed by multiple countries to regulate or manage global issues. Examples from the video include the European Union, the United Nations, and the International Coffee Association. These institutions play a critical role in promoting cooperation among states, facilitating communication, trade, and conflict resolution, thereby contributing to global interdependence.

💡Trade

Trade refers to the exchange of goods and services across borders. In the video, trade is one of the primary channels through which states and non-state actors are interconnected. Trade relationships contribute to economic interdependence, with countries relying on each other for resources, products, and markets, reinforcing global cooperation and peaceful relations.

💡Financial Flows

Financial flows refer to the movement of capital, such as investments and loans, across international borders. The video emphasizes that these financial interactions are a key aspect of the interconnectedness of the global system. As countries and companies exchange capital, they create ties that make them more dependent on each other economically, contributing to the overall interdependence of the international system.

💡Realism

Realism is an opposing theory in international relations that contrasts with political liberalism. Realists argue that the world is characterized by sovereign states operating in a system of anarchy, where each state prioritizes its own security and interests. In the video, realists are presented as critics of interdependence, suggesting that cooperation is difficult because states distrust each other and the global system is inherently competitive.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of interdependence in global politics.

Interdependence is a key component of political liberalism in international relations.

Interdependence is closely tied to globalization and the concept of a globalizing world.

Liberal theorists believe that a more interdependent world promotes peace and prosperity.

Definition of interdependence as the mutual connectedness of states and non-state actors.

Interdependence involves more than just states; non-state actors like multinational corporations and NGOs also play crucial roles.

Examples of important non-state actors include multinational corporations, NGOs (e.g., Amnesty International), and international institutions.

The international system includes various actors interconnected through trade, finance, travel, and communications.

States and non-state actors are part of a complex, interconnected network in the international system.

The growth of interdependence has led to more permeable state borders and increased cooperation among international actors.

While interconnected, the relationships between states and actors are not always symmetrical or equal.

Some states or actors may be more vulnerable to disruptions in the interconnected international network.

Interdependence is seen as promoting international cooperation and positive change within the global system.

Critics like realists argue that interdependence overlooks international anarchy and state sovereignty.

Marxists and dependency theorists believe interdependence is about dominance and exploitation, not mutual cooperation.

Transcripts

hi my name's Alan sands and I'm standing

outside the Museum of Anthropology here

at the University of British Columbia

welcome to the global politics

instructional video series in these

videos we are exploring some of the key

concepts and ideas in the study of

global politics and international

relations today we're looking at

interdependence and interdependence is

an important concept for us in a number

of different ways first of all it's a

key component of political liberalism

one of the main theories of

international relations second the whole

idea of interdependence is wrapped up

with this notion of a globalizing world

so the whole idea of globalization is a

big part of this discussion another

reason why interdependence is so

significant is that liberals tend to

argue that a more interdependent world

will be a more peaceful world in a more

prosperous world and I think we'd all

like that so what do we have a look at

this idea okay interdependence

now there are a lot of definitions of

interdependence and you can look up and

use anyone you like what we are going to

define interdependence as the mutual

connectedness of independency of states

and non-state actors and this definition

is revealing in a number of different

ways and it's a very big parts whole

concept of interdependence is a very big

part of the liberal school of

international relations and what I'm

going to describe to you today is very

much how liberal theorists see the world

so let's draw a system so here's our

international system I'm going to

populate it first with the number of

states of varying size and power and the

first notable thing about

interdependence and the liberal theory

of interdependence is the idea that

first of all states are not the only

actors and that's significant because

the idea is that there are a number of

different types of actors that are

important in global politics not just

the state so for example they argue that

multinational corporations are very

important and need to be represented in

our view of the international system so

I'll just going to draw a number of

multinational corporations for us here

and I will represent multinational

corporations with a square box another

actor of importance our non-governmental

organizations or NGOs and these are not

for profits professional associations

and so on but also how very

roles in global politics Amnesty

International for example or Greenpeace

come to mind and I'll represent NGOs

with a triangle so we also have NGOs as

actors in the international system and

then lastly there are a whole series of

international institutions in global

politics the European Union the United

Nations the International Coffee

Association and a whole variety of them

and I'll represent those with a star so

here are some of our institutions of

various kinds and so you have a system

as populated with more than just States

you have States and non-state actors

being important in the system and the

whole idea then is that all of these

actors are interconnected in some way

and they're interconnected through a

variety of channels trade financial

flows travel and communications

and taken together all these means or

ways in which actors are interconnected

in the International System trade

finance travel and communications mean

that the International System is

characterized by a web of interconnected

relationships all of these actors are

connected to each other in this complex

ever-shifting ever-growing international

network of states and non-state actors

with trade flows financial flows people

traveling by planes and boats and

automobiles and of course modern

communications technology all of them

linking all of these actors and all

these states together the result of

courses of state borders are

increasingly permeable to all of these

methods of interconnection and we have

more more non-state actors engaged in

this kind of an international system and

it doesn't mean of course that all of

these links are exactly the same many

liberals make the argument that these

relationships are not necessarily all

symmetrical that is to say they're not

all equal some countries some non-state

actors may be more dependent than others

on these links in these connections

other countries other international

actors may be more vulnerable to the

breaking of these networks or risks or

threats to those networks than others

but the bottom line is that this

interconnection has been steadily

growing and the whole idea of

interdependence is that it is a force

for positive change in the international

system the development of all these

non-state actors and the ways that they

are connected with each other and with

States means that states and all actors

in the international system are

benefiting from closer ties

this is promoting more and more

international cooperation in this world

as a result will be a more peaceful

world and a more prosperous world okay

that's interdependence now it sounds

good doesn't it but not everyone agrees

realists for example make the argument

that it's not an interdependent world at

all it's a world of sovereign states

living in an international anarchy and

therefore they're all distrustful of one

another and cooperation is very

difficult Marxists and dependency

theorists make the argument that

liberals have got it all wrong

interdependence is not about mutual

cooperation interdependence is actually

all about dominance and exploitation

that liberals are mistaking the way the

world runs for some sort of mutually

cooperative environment when in fact

it's really characterized by control and

the dominance of a few powerful elites

and States but however we feel about

interdependence there's very little

doubt that it's a critically important

concept for us and the whole idea that

we in a globalizing world is in large

part built on the idea of

interdependence I hope you enjoy this

video join me again next time