International Relations Managing Interdependence and Domestic Politics March

International Relations Managing Interdependence and Domestic Politics March 18 th, 2003

Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics n foreign policy and domestic politics are not separate u u n foreign policy has important domestic implications domestic politics have important implications foreign policy and, as a result, world politics intersection of foreign policy and domestic politics take place within the international political framework

International Political Framework n states are the main players are sovereign u exist in international system u are interdependent u n interdependence is increasing u u “Globalization. . . means an ever larger and more demanding international agenda, more engagement by countries in each other’s affairs over matters farther and farther behind each other’s borders, and, even among friends, more collisions of interest. ” Jessica Matthews, Estranged Partners domestic politics are more and more affected by politics at the international level and vice versa

International Political Framework n to manage interdependence, states can: u devise rules, mechanisms for peaceful co-existence « foundation for international law, institutions « international regime: regularized pattern of interaction between countries, through law, institutions, diplomacy u resort to force or threat of force

Framework – cont’d n managing interdependence is difficult different preferences re. domestic politics, international order u international inequalities of power u domestic concerns about loss of sovereignty u

Spheres of Interdependence n distinct spheres of interdepedence military/security u economics/trade u environment u human security/development u n all four spheres are interconnected

Interconnectedness of Arenas of Interdependence Scenario #1: - population growth = resource scarcity = poverty = mass migration = instability = military action Scenario #2: - underdevelopment = poverty = hopelessness = terrorism = security challenges = military action Scenario #3: - increased consumption = pollution = global env’l agreements = conflict between developing and industrialized world

Linkage Between Domestic Issues and Foreign Policy Issues n examples. . . America and the War on Terrorism u America and Europe u

America’s War on Terrorism n n Sept. 11 th contributed to erasing the line between foreign policy and domestic politics war on terrorism -- main US foreign policy challenge is defined as homeland security u ensuring homeland security is a project firmly embroiled in domestic politics • Office of Homeland Security • civil liberties u homeland security depends on successful foreign policy « « requires maintaining an international coalition (despite having pushed US towards military unilateralism) avoiding creating new threats in addressing existing threats

Estranged Partners: The US & Europe n n relationship between US and Europe changing end of the Cold War u u US power does not translate automatically into a community of countries ready to fall in behind US leadership absence of an external enemy has allowed domestic politics to acquire a much larger role in foreign policy (both in US and Europe) « e. g. Kyoto

Estranged Partners: The US & Europe n American relationship with EU changing as a result of changes within Europe u u n European Union “. . . Europe is no longer the junior partner whose acquiescence can be taken for granted. ” Matthews, 52. requires greater multilateralism and greater accommodation u difficult foreign policy approach for the US President to sell domestically (e. g. to Congress)

Main Points! n foreign policy and domestic politics are not separate foreign policy has important domestic implications u domestic politics have important implications foreign policy and, as a result, world politics u n diverse areas of international interdependence are all interrelated