There are several different 'Actors' in the International system; discuss each and show how each influences the nature of global interactions. What Actor is considered the most important and why? What political and legal elements are accorded this main

Requirements of Sovereignty

Diplomatic relations are established only after one has sovereignty. A sovereign state is a geographically- bounded entity governed by a central authority that has the ability to make laws, rules and decisions and to enforce those laws, rules and decisions.

IGOs

Intergovernmental Organizations -IGOs- the United Nations is intergovernmental as are many of its agencies such as the IMF and the World Bank, WTO, OPEC, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) An IGO is an organization composed primarily of sovereign states, or of other intergovernmental organizations. IGOs are established by treaty or other agreement that acts as a charter creating the group. Examples include the United Nations, the World Bank, or the European Union.

Multinational Corporations

MNCs are transnational actors Many are political actors in several states and carry a great deal of influence. MNCs are vied for by most Third World States for foreign investment and taxes. LDCs (Least Developed Countries) will provide a stable political environment (sometimes drastic measures are taken) A multinational corporation (MNC) has facilities and other assets in at least one country other than its home country. Such companies have offices and/or factories in different countries and usually have a centralized head office where they coordinate global management.

NGO

Nongovernmental Organizations - NGOs are an increasingly influential sector because of their influence on civil society, governments etc. (Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.) A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a not-for-profit organization that is independent from states and international governmental organizations. They are usually funded by donations but some avoid formal funding altogether and are run primarily by volunteers.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty is an important aspect of a nation's independence. It also gives a nation defacto and dejure recognition in the international system. This recognition and acknowledgment is given by other states, by the United Nations, and international institutions

Actors and Influences in the International System: State Actors

The most important actors in the international system are states. What is a state? The state is a territorial entity which has a government and population. State formation usually takes several years, or decades and is often accompanied by much violence.

Government

We also look at the form of government - a democracy, corporatist, military, etc. And we define it as such by how society (civil society) relates to the government. The most important state actor in international politics as they represent the territory) is the head of state. In this case it may be the President, Prime Minister, Military General, Dictator. in IR, we refer to incidences by their country/nation, rather than their head of state: International relations then is the relationship between and among the worlds states.

Nation-States are most important actors

none of the other states would exist without the nation state. Has a government which can ratify treaties and conduct trade.

Nation-States

the term nation-state means a state whose inhabitants consider themselves to be a nation. the terms state, nation and nation-state are often used interchangeably by non specialists-- clearly however, they are distinct. When we refer to the citizens in a country we usually call it civil society: we utilize this term to refer to a population which participates in that society.