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The relevance of non-alignment today.

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ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS GUIDE (2014-2015)

E.P.S.-7
International Relations
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read and refer the official study material provided by the university.

Answer all questions in each category. Try to write the answers in your own words
Answer in about 600 words each.
Q. 1. Examine the meaning and changing nature of international relations.
Ans. After the Second World War the nature and context of international relations has changed in varied
ways. Earlier the world politics was centred mainly on Europe and there was the presence of an element of
secrecy among nation-states, while conducting treaties and establishing foreign offices. But in contemporary
times the situation has changed, the foreign policies of all the nation-states are open and public opinion
plays an important and decisive role in the formulation of the policies of a particular country. Apart from
this, there are other factors that have led in the changing scenario of international relations; for example,
decolonisation has led to the emergence of new sovereign nations, who voice their concerns at international
platforms; secondly, disintegration of Soviet Union has led to the increasing number of membership in the
United Nations, thirdly, revolution in the area of communication and travelling has made the world one
small village as the head of the state and government along with their foreign ministers can meet at one place
within few hours to discuss in detail their foreign relations, fourthly, in the light of a rapidly shifting
international landscape, new forms of cooperation involving more actors (non-state actors) have become
increasingly important like MNCs, confederations, alliances, international organisations etc.
After the Second World War the nature and context of international relations has changed in varied
ways:
(a) Earlier the world politics was centred mainly on Europe and there was the presence of an element of
secrecy among nation-states, while conducting treaties and establishing foreign offices. But in
contemporary times the situation has changed, the foreign policies of all the nation-states are open
and public opinion plays an important and decisive role in the formulation of the policies of a
particular country.
(b) Decolonisation has led to the emergence of new sovereign nations, the process of decolonisation
has led to the liberation of many countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, who voice their
concerns at international platforms.

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(c) Disintegration of Soviet Union has led to the increasing number of membership in the United Nations.
Some of the very small countries like Nauru may have no power but they have an equal voice in the
General Assembly.
(d) Revolution in the area of communication and travelling has made the world one small village as the
head of the state and government along with their foreign ministers can meet at one place within few
hours to discuss in detail their foreign relations.
(e) Lastly in the light of a rapidly shifting international landscape, new forms of cooperation involving
more actors (non-state actors) have become increasingly important like MNCs, confederations,
alliances, international organisations etc.
Q. 2. Explain the concept of imperialism and neo-colonialism.
Ans. According to Morgenthau who considers all politics as struggle for power defines imperialism in
terms of expansions of states power beyond its border. Schumpeter regards imperialism as a force ancient
in inception, decadent, and self-conscious in an age of rationalism, yet still powerful enough to lord it over
its rival, the upstart capitalism. According to P.T. Moon, Imperialism means domination of non-European
native races by totally dissimilar European nations. Thus he clearly indicates domination of coloured peoples
of Asia and Africa by the Europeans who considered themselves superior and their colonial administration
as burden on the white man. H.G Wells, All our modern imperialism are thus, the more or less conscious
efforts of one nationstate to become world wide.
However, those who are the followers of Marxist ideology do not agree with the view that imperialism
is the rival of capitalism. According to them, Lenin said, imperialism is not only entirely economic but also
a rather precise stage in the development of capitalism. Palmer and Perkins attempt to explain, what they
call good and bad imperialisms, though from the point of view of the third world countries there could never
be a good imperialism because exploitation cannot be good to anybody. Many of the studies conducted by
the international organisations like the international labour organisation, world health organisation, World
Bank, and International Monetary Fund clearly indicates that there has been capital transfers and decline in
the standard of living among the people in the third world countries indicating that the imperialist exploitation
of these countries is more through than ever.
Harry Magdoff in his influential study Imperialism a historical survey concluded that the phenomenon
of imperialism continues unabated, only the structure and forms of exploitation only have changed. He
observed that three major changes have occurred in the imperialist exploitation.
The integration of the military production with the dominant industrial sectors.
The rising importance of the MNCs which drive towards worldwide control of the most profitable
and newest industries in both the periphery and the advanced countries.
The priority of the interests of the military multi- national industry in the affairs of the state.
John Strachey, Michael Barratt Brown, Hamza Alavi Paul Sweezy argued in favour of imperialism. Paul
Sweezy in his famous article on Imperialism in the 1990s demonstrated that these arguments are more
ideological than real.
Neocolonialism may simply refer to involvement of powerful countries in the affairs of less powerful
countries. It was the outcome of the Second World War when the European colonies were completely destroyed
and their disintegration became inevitable. As a result United States of America emerged as a dominant
capitalist power after 1945. The USA through its instruments of foreign policy which employed economic
aid, political and military supports suppressed movements and regimes which were leftists or pro communists.
In this sense, Neocolonialism implies a form of contemporary, economic imperialism: that powerful nation

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behaves like colonial powers, and that this behaviour is likened to colonialism in a post-colonial world. In
other words economically powerful states through economic leverage control other less developed countries
on the basis of trade, aid, and international economic policies. Neo-colonialism acquired a new dimension
after the cold war when countries like India and China have embarked upon a policy of economic liberalisation.
In this situation capitalist and developed countries pursued a vigorous policy of neo-colonialism. MNCs
have entered the third world countries and frequent loans from the World Bank and from other developed
nations have encircled the developing countries into a debt trap.
Answer in about 300 words each.
Q. 3. Explain the concept of power and the methods of exercising power.
Ans. Power is the most central concept of international politics. It has been defined as the ability of the
state to make its will prevail and to enforce respect and command obedience from other states. Morgenthau
has described all politics as struggle for power. Kautilya interpreted power as the possession of strength
derived from three elements namely knowledge, military might and velour. Robert Dahl explained power by
saying: A has power over B, to the extent that it can get B to do something that B otherwise cannot do.
However, the quantum of power varies for example USA has more power than India, similarly, India has
perhaps more power than Nepal and Indonesia.
Power has three important ingredients; They are: Force, influence and authority. Thus power is the
combination of authority (voluntary compliance) influence (compliance through persuasion) and force use
of coercive methods).
Elements of Power
The elements of power may be broadly divided between tangible and intangible elements; elements of
power may also be classified as of quantitative and qualitative value.
Tangible elements: Population, geography, natural resources, raw-materials, technology are tangible,
and can, to some extent, be assessed in quantitative terms.
State with large population is regarded as a powerful country because it has a strong armed forces and
it has vast manpower to be utilised for various economic activities. But if we analyse that during the nineteenth
century China had much less power as compared to less populated state of Britain we will find that a less
populous state can also be more powerful if its population is healthy, well informed, skilled and unified.
Territory is the second important element of the power. It is often believed that a country which is
larger in size is more powerful because it has vast area for agricultural production, and to have industrial
growth. But there are examples that countries which are smaller in size are more powerful to those who have
vast areas, for example, Israel is a small country but she has even acquired nuclear capability whereas,
Canada with its frozen waters and Brazil with its jungles have never been great powers.
Climate of a country also influences its power. It has a direct effect on the health and energy of the
people. It is not the coincidence that all of the major powers are located in the temperate zones. Continuous
extreme of heat and cold are alike unfavourable for energy, productive capacity and national strength.
The possession of Natural resources such as uranium, oil, various minerals add to the power of the
state.
Military strength is related to the conventional notion that power is backed by the military force. It can
be measured in terms of funds expanded for defence and security purposes.
Intangible elements of power are those which contribute in a most crucial way to the overall capability
of the sovereign states. It includes leadership, bureaucratic organisational efficiency, type of government,
societal cohesions, etc. Although such elements cannot be measured or concretely specified they are critical
in terms of overall power of a sovereign state.

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Measurement of Power
Ray S Cline has suggested a very useful method of measurement of power. He has suggested a formulae
for measurement of power though it may not give us exact results. If PP is perceived power it can be
measured as under;
PP = (C + E + M) X (S + W) here C means critical mass, which includes population and territory ; E
stands for economic capability, M stands for military capability, S stands for Strategic purpose and W means
will to pursue national strategy. Whereas C, E and M are tangible, S & W are intangible elements, thus,
Cline places very important value on strategic purpose and the will to pursue that purpose. According to
Robert Dahl A has power over B to the extant that he can get B to do something that B could not otherwise
do, but even this formulae is far from satisfactory and measurement of power remains a very difficult
exercise.
Methods of Exercising Power
There are generally four methods employed in the exercise of power. These are persuasion, reward,
punishment and force. Persuasion is the easiest of the four methods, for example, country A tries to influence
the behaviour of country B by persuading the latter to change its decision. Infact most of the times, diplomacy
is based on it. Another method of exercise of power is offer or reward. In this attempt is made to influence
the behaviour of other state by promise of reward which may be economic, political or material. The third
method of power is punishment, it may take various forms like stoppage of economic or military aid, or even
a threat or such a withdrawal amounts to punishment. Lastly when the threat of punishment is actually
carried out, it is called use of force.
Q. 4. Explain the different types of international terrorism.
Ans. Terrorism can be said to include those acts of violence that are outside the accepted norms of
diplomacy and rules of war. The Oxford Dictionary has defined terrorism as systematic intimidation as a
method of governing or securing political or other ends.
Terrorism as a phenomenon, an ideology and a modus operandi instills fear in the minds of people and
jeopardizes the security of states. The term terrorism has been interpreted in several ways. Ironically though,
the global community hasnt yet reached on a consensus as to the definition of terrorism.
Yonah Alexander defines terrorism as The use or threat of violence against random or civilian targets
in order to intimidate or to create generalised pervasive fear for the purpose of achieving political goals,
Brain Jenkim observed that the acts of terrorism; Involve violence or threat of violence, often coupled with
specific demands. The violence is directed mainly against civilian targets. The motives are political, the
actions generally are carried out in a way that will achieve maximum publicity.
Experts have identified at least four different types of terrorism:
(a) Nationalist-Separatist Terrorism: Violence undertaken by those seeking to establish a separate
state for their own national/ethnic group [e.g. the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Basque Homeland & Liberty
(ETA), the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK)].
(b) Religious Terrorism: The use of violence by those seeking to further what these conceive as divinely
commanded purposes, often targeting broad categories of enemies in an attempt to bring about sweeping
changes [e.g. Aum Shinrikyo, al-Qaida, Hizbollah, Hamas].
(c) Left-Wing Terrorism: Violence undertaken by those seeking to destroy capitalism and replace it
with a communist or socialist regime [e.g. Red Army Faction (RAF), German Red Brigades, Prima Linea,
the Weather Underground/Symbionese Liberation Army].
(d) Right-Wing Terrorism: The use of violence by those seeking to dispense with liberal democratic
governments .

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Q. 5. Briefly explain the peace policy of the Bolsheviks.

Ans. One of the major acts of the new Soviet state the decree of peace, proclaimed the abolition of the
secret diplomacy and in accordance with this law, the Soviet foreign ministry published the previous secret
treaties signed by the Tsarist state. The refusal of the entente powers to negotiate to general peace settlement,
forced Soviet Russia to enter into peace talks with Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
The Soviet proposal included six points, no forcible annexation of territories occupied during the war,
restoration of political independence to nations vanquished during the war, freedom of choice to the national
minorities to either remain within a state or become independent through referendum, safeguarding of the
rights of the national minorities in a state by special legislation protecting their national culture and whenever
possible, administrative autonomy; renunciation of war indemnities; and solution of colonial problems in
accordance with the first four principles.
Q. 6. Explain the ideological framework within which National Liberation movements
operated.
Ans. National liberation movements express a tremendous range of ideological diversity. Many are leftwing with Marxist or socialist ideologies. These are very popular because they appeal to poor and oppressed
people. Marxism was an ideology that made a powerful appeal and impact in the minds and thoughts of the
oppressed of colonies. Communists were influencing the nationalist movements in different colonies and
were endeavouring to convert the same into communist movements. Western nations were being dubbed as
imperialists and exploiters by the socialist camp. This emboldened the nationalist movements in the colonies
and they were progressively veering towards the socialist camp. But a few are also right wing, for example,
they can be royalist (e.g. the Zulu Inkatha movement in South Africa, which seeks to restore their king to
power). In some cases class, ethnic and/or religious rivalries are important, in others they are not. Despite
the diversity of ideologies expressed in various national liberation movements, the most common or
archetypal form is a combination of nationalism, socialism, anti-imperialism, and religious and other
cultural motivations.
Write short notes on the following in about 100 words each.
Q. 7. US policy on Human Rights.
Ans. The human rights record of the United States is a controversial and complex issue. The United
States has been praised for its progressive human rights record, but has faced criticism over certain issues,
such as alleged torture of terrorist suspects. Historically, the United States has been committed to the principle
of liberty and has sheltered many political and economic refugees in times of international strife, although
this record is also far from unblemished in various important areas. It has a powerful and independent
judiciary and a constitution that enforces separation of powers to prevent tyranny. Legally, human rights
within the United States are those rights recognized by the Constitution of the United States and those
recognised by treaties ratified by the United States Senate as well as certain rights articulated by the Congress
of the United States. The Constitution and treaties are generally interpreted by the judicial branch and
particularly the Supreme Court. Human rights within the United States are thus largely determined by the
judiciary.
Internationally, the United States was central to the creation of the United Nations and to the drafting of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Much of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
modeled in part on the U.S. Bill of Rights.[11][12] In the latter part of the 20th century, however, the US has
participated in few of the international human rights treaties, covenants and declarations adopted by the UN
member states. In the 21st century, the US actively attempted to undermine the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court.

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Q. 8. Globalisation
Ans. Globalisation in its literal sense is the process of transformation of local or regional phenomena
into global ones. This process is a combination of economic, technological, socio-cultural and political
forces. Globalisation is often used to refer to economic globalisation, that is, integration of national economies
into the international economy through trade, foreign direct investment, capital flows, migration, and the
spread of technology.
Tom G. Palmer of the Cato Institute defines globalisation as the diminution or elimination of stateenforced restrictions on exchanges across borders and the increasingly integrated and complex global system
of production and exchange that has emerged as a result.
Thomas L. Friedman examines the impact of the flattening of the globe, and argues that globalised
trade, outsourcing, supply-chaining, and political forces have changed the world permanently, for both better
and worse. He also argues that the pace of globalisation is quickening and will continue to have a growing
impact on business organisation and practice.
Noam Chomsky argues that the word globalisation is also used, in a doctrinal sense, to describe the
neoliberal form of economic globalisation.
Herman E. Daly argues that sometimes the terms internationalisation and globalisation are used
interchangeably but there is a slight formal difference. The term internationalisation refers to the importance
of international trade, relations, treaties etc. International means between or among nations.

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