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Why do realists believe that global politics is characterised by conflict? January 2010 - Unit 3D, Edexcel, Government and Politics A2 For realists, war and conflict is an enduring feature of international relations and world affairs. This is due to the inescapable dynamics of power politics: states, the most important actors in international relations, are driven by national interest. Ultimately, if states are driven by self-interest there will regularly be conflict due to overlap in interest – i.e. both of the world wars can be explained through each country’s national interest. However, it is important to note that conflict is sometimes but not always played out in military terms; war and conflict are separate concepts.

Classical realists explain power politics by emphasising state egoism, arguing that rivalry between and among political communities reflects inherent tendencies within human nature towards self-seeking, competition and aggression. This follows Thomas Hobbes’ theory on the state of nature. Explain the implications of bipolarity for peace and international order. January 2013 - Unit 3D, Edexcel, Government and Politics A2 Bipolarity refers to an international system which revolves around two poles (major power blocs). The term is most commonly associated with the Cold War and the East-West rivalry during the ‘superpower era’. For it to be a genuine bipolar world order a level of equality has to exist between the two powers, particularly in military terms. Neorealists, in particular, believe that bipolarity favours stability and order. This leads to a further argument that it actually creates stability in conflict terms, particularly when compared to the multipolar years of WWI and WWII.

However, critical theorists argue that it actually just led to a strengthening of imperialist tendencies with the spheres of influence being dependent on the superpowers for security. Define state sovereignty and explain its implications for international politics. June 2011 - Unit 3D, Edexcel, Government and Politics A2 State sovereignty is the idea that states operate as autonomous and independent entities in world politics, sovereignty being the principle of absolute or unlimited power,.

Distinctions are nevertheless made between legal sovereignty, defined in terms of authority, and political authority, defined in terms of power. Realists are the key theorists that hold state sovereignty as the absolute. They believe that states and their sovereignty are of the highest importance in international relations. Classical realists believe that state sovereignty implies that states act in their own self-interest due to egoism whereas neorealists believe we live in a state of international anarchy and therefore are required to act in their own self-interest for security and survival as they view all other states as a potential threat.

This is reflected in, for instance, North Korea’s acquisition of nuclear weapons. Challenges to Sovereignty. The Secession of South Sudan: A Case Study in African Sovereignty and International Recognition - viewcontent.cgi. South Sudan | International Republican Institute (IRI) Download Summary (PDF) On July 9, 2011, the former semi-autonomous region of South Sudan was officially recognized as a sovereign state, the Republic of South Sudan. Independence, mandated by the January 2011 self-determination referendum, was one of the final elements of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The peace agreement ended a decades-long civil war between northern and southern Sudan and ushered in a period of great opportunity for the country. To support Africa’s newest country, IRI offers capacity building and technical assistance to political parties and government institutions.

Through its activities, IRI promotes a viable peace for the South Sudanese people and works to meet the needs of those who were previously excluded from open political participation, such as youth, women and other marginalized groups. IRI continues to support inter-party dialogue and provides space for opposition parties to voice their positions and concerns. Electoral Calculus. Current Prediction: Conservative majority 6 Prediction based on opinion polls from 03 Sep 2015 to 30 Sep 2015, sampling 8,280 people. Probability of possible outcomes The future is never certain. But using our advanced modelling techniques, we can estimate the probability of the various possible outcomes at the next general election. ('Nat' means SNP+PlaidC) Local Election Results and Boundaries Update 2015 The seat detail pages now have the new local election results, and updated local ward boundaries where they have changed.

You can see these new seat details by going to the index pages on the left-hand menu bar (England A-B, ..., Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), or by using the postcode lookup for any UK location: An example seat is Arundel and South Downs (BN14 0TF) which has had updated boundaries. Results include the following parties shown separately: Local election results used are now: In Northern Ireland, there has been a substantial redrawing of boundaries. 30 May 2015.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF FREEDOM OF INF. By Mitchell W. Pearlman, Executive Director Connecticut freedom of Information Commission Freedom of Information laws are important. Of that there is no doubt. They are important for public accountability and the equal treatment of all people under the rule of law. “A popular Government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or perhaps both. . . . Not surprisingly, the focus of attention on most Freedom of Information laws is at the national level. Although the emphasis on national Freedom of Information régimes is both appropriate and understandable, I believe that greater attention ought to be directed at Freedom of Information laws at sub-national (i.e., state, provincial and local) levels. There are three primary reasons why I believe sub-national Freedom of Information laws are so worthy of greater attention.

Consider for a moment how much interaction occurs between people and their local and regional governments. Ernment, citizens and rights : Directgov. Revision:Edexcel AS Level Politics Unit 1. TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > Politics > Edexcel AS Level Politics Unit 1 What is power? The ability to make others do something. What is authority? The right to exercise power. What are the three types of power? Coercion – the use of force to achieve ends.

Political power – exercised by govt through persuasion and incentives. What are the three types of authority according to Weber? Traditional – accepted as real authority if over a long period of time e.g. hereditary monarch, H of L, Pope. What is legitimacy? Whether power is being rightfully exercised. Which six principle examples constitute legitimate rule? Tradition – a regime that has held power without serious popular challenge for a long period of time. What is consent and what criteria show positive signs of consent?

Consent – permission to be governed. What is sovereignty? In general terms, “supreme power”. To what extent do the use of referenda undermine parliamentary sovereignty? What is a referendum? What is the Difference Between a Government and a State? What is government? A government is an institution that makes and enforces public policies for and on a society. Public policies are the things that a government wants to do in its involvement with society. However, in order for a government to make and enforce its public policies, it must have something we call power. Every government has 3 kinds of power: 1. 2. 3. Really, there are 2 main ways for a government to exercise these 3 powers: 1. 2. What is a state? There are 4 things that define a state: 1. 2. 3. 4. How did the state come into being? There are 4 reasons as to how states were established: 1. 2. 3. 4.

What is the purpose of government? There are 4 things that a government does: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. William McClenaghan, "American Government. " Upcoming lectures (London) Tutor2u | Economics | Business Studies | Politics | Sociology | History | Law | Marketing | Accounting | Business Strategy.