Actors in IR: Non-State Actors (b)
While states may still be the most important actors in IR, they are often strongly limited or influenced in their actions by a variety of nonstate actors
“the study of relationships among the world’s governments”
Actors Through the Definition of
International Relations 2
In practice, when talking of International Relations, we also take into account international dimensions of relations of governments with other actors, (not just with each other). These other actors, e.g. international organizations, multinational corporations & individuals can also interact with each other in the international sphere, an area shaped not only by the direct political association of government leaders, but also by economic structures, culture, domestic politics, & geographical & historical influences.
We can Identify 3 main categories of non-State Actors in IR:
◦ 1) Substate Actors ◦ 2) Transnational Actors
◦ 3) Nongovernmental Organizations
Actors in IR
Байду номын сангаас
Government Leaders
STATE ACTORS
Bureaucratic Organizations & Personnel
NON-STATE ACTORS
Parliaments
Substate Actors
Transnational Actors
Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s)
国际关系与国际法
何志鹏 吉林大学法学院
第二讲 国际关系的主体与主题
国际关系主体
国际关系中的行为体有哪些？
Actors Through the Definition of International Relations 1
A strict, narrow and somewhat classical definition of International Relations would be that it is :
Actors in IR: Non-State Actors (a)
While a state-centric understanding of the international system traditionally dominated, there is now increased recognition of role of nonstate actors in what some refer to as a multicentric international system, i.e. one where media companies like CNN or Al Jazeera, & environmental groups such as Greenpeace & the World Wildlife Fund, & terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda, & transnational or multi-national corporations such as Coca Cola, IBM & Toyota & Unilever, & even influential individuals such as say Bob Geldof, have a big impact.
Actors in IR: State Actors
We often talk about states taking actions in the international arena. Britain decides to go to war after Argentina occupied the Falklands; China decides to join the WTO; Sweden gives $1 billion in credit to developing countries... etc. Actually, though focusing on the state per se helps simplify things, it overlooks the fact that there are various individuals & groups & organizations that can & do take & implement decisions in the name of the state, including, for example, governments & diplomats, parliamentary committees & assemblies.