1. Introduction: from international politics to world politics

Abstract

This chapter introduces the text which offers a comprehensive analysis of world politics in a global era. The text examines the main theories of world politics— realism, liberalism, Marxism, social constructivism, poststructuralism, post-colonialism, and feminism. It reviews the main structures and processes that shape contemporary world politics, such as global political economy, international security, war, gender, and race. Furthermore, it addresses some of the main policy issues in the globalized world, including poverty, human rights, health (with particular emphasis on the recent global pandemic), and the environment. This introduction offers some arguments both for and against seeing globalization as an important new development in world politics. It also explains the various terms used to describe world politics and the academic field, particularly the use of ‘world politics’ rather than ‘international politics’ or ‘international relations’. Finally, it summarizes the main assumptions underlying realism, liberalism, Marxism, social constructivism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, and feminism.

Globalization, the Two-edged Sword Phenomenon—Reflections of Its Impact on Global Peace and Security

“…The globalization concept, which is employed as an umbrella term for economic, political, and cultural processes, has an interconnection with the concept of peace (Baylis, 2011;Benson, 2022). The two concepts, in particular, globalization has both a direct and indirect beneficial influence on global peace.…”

Globalization, the Two-edged Sword Phenomenon—Reflections of Its Impact on Global Peace and Security

“…Similarly, national security covers the activities of state actors, and transnational security threats such as organized crimes, terrorism, and human trafficking (Al-Rodhan, 2007). Lastly, transcultural security covers the integrity of diverse cultures and civilization forms (Baylis, 2011). Since the 1990s, actors of the concept of international or global security have come to include nations, groups, individuals, international systems (United Nations), non-governmental organizations, and local governments (Baylis, 2011;Wohlforth, 2010).…”

“…Lastly, transcultural security covers the integrity of diverse cultures and civilization forms (Baylis, 2011). Since the 1990s, actors of the concept of international or global security have come to include nations, groups, individuals, international systems (United Nations), non-governmental organizations, and local governments (Baylis, 2011;Wohlforth, 2010).…”

“…The globalization concept, which is employed as an umbrella term for economic, political, and cultural processes, has an interconnection with the concept of peace (Baylis, 2011;Benson, 2022). The two concepts, in particular, globalization has both a direct and indirect beneficial influence on global peace.…”

Contribution of the United Nations System to global peace security

“…4 As there was an increase need for global peace and security in order to secure a peaceful environment and because of global terrorist threats and environmental issues "the UN was expected to take on a stronger role in maintaining standards for individuals within states". 5 UN Charter in Article 43, emphasises that "all Members of the United Nations, in order to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, undertake to make available to the Security Council, on its call and in accordance with a special agreement or agreements, armed forces, assistance, and facilities, including rights of passage, necessary for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security". 6 As a consequence, "the UN Security Council was given the main responsibility for maintaining international peace and Security" 7 and undoubtedly, "it assumes that potential aggressors will be deterred by united threat or counterforce mobilized through an international organization like the League or the UN".…”