Actors in International Relations
Actors in International Relations
Relations
Outline
Introduction
Actors in IR
Definitions & examples
Influence
Historical context
Late 19th & 20th century
◦ Technological advance
◦ New products
◦ New processes
◦ New forms of business
◦ Development in communication
◦ Transportation facilities
Cont.….
IR
IR originally covers,
Relations between states
◦ ex : Sri Lankas’ relations with India
Economic bodies & social groups
◦ Ex : banks & companies
State actors Non-state actors
the
State
“a compulsory political organization with
a centralized government that maintains a
monopoly of the legitimate use of force
within a certain geographical territory”
-Wikipedia-
state
A government which Diplomatically recognized
owes allegiance by other states
Non-state actors
Individuals or organizations
Strong economic, political, or social
power
Ability to influence at a national and
international level
Do not belong to or allied to themselves
or a country or satate
Definition
“an organized political actor not directly
connected to the state but pursing aims
that affect vital state interests”
- Pearlman & Cunningham, 2011-
International Governmental
Organizations (IGOs)
Members consist of three or more
nation-states
Universal
membership
Global IGOs
Ex:
UN,WTO,IMF
IGOs
Based on
interests or
region
Regional IGOs
Ex: ASEAN,
EU
IGO Purposes
Industrial – Sony,
Honda,Toyota,
Petronas
MNCs
Services – Mc
Financial –
Donald’s fast food
oversea-Chinese
chain, MAS/ Asiana
banking
international
corporation
airlines, Hilton
limited(OCBC)
Hotels & Resorts
Profit oriented
Contribute to the host country’s
development
Provide job opportunities
Helps to stabilize the economy
Mass media
Internet, newspapers, blogs, TV
Influential
International Individuals
Influential leaders
◦ Religious
◦ Ethnic
Illegitimate groups
Terrorist groups
◦ Through violence & planning attacks
◦ Powerful enough to influence states
Al-Qaeda
ISIS
International criminal groups
Illegitimate
Great capacity of financial resources
Influence state’s politics
Threat to state’s security
Hard to track
Yakuza in Japan
◦ Drugs
◦ Prostitution
Sicilian Mafia in Italy
◦ Human trafficking
◦ Firearms Triads in Hong
Kong, Macau, Taiwan
Why states are no longer the key
actors?
Globalization
Extreme power of the transnational
actors
Several powerful organizations such as
the EU,NATO, and UN own strong power
in the international relations
◦ Eg: UN can impose sanctions or embargoes to
nation states
The influence of non-state actors on
IR
The decision making structure of a state
is challenged
Lobbying governments and influence on
law making
Affects the economy of states
Threatens the security of states
Natural resources of states are exploited
Group members
H.Y.N Sulakkhana (DS/18/A/35/E)
W.L.R.C Lekamge (DS/18/A/43/E)
N.K.H.T Sankalpani (DS/18/A/44/E)
T.A.M.L Perera (DS/18/A/13/E)
S.W Dissanayake (DS/18/A/51/E)
Bibliography
Nye, J. and Keohane, R. (1971).
Transnational Relations and World Politics: An
Introduction. [pdf] University of Wisconsin
Press.