IB Global Politics Topic Violent and Non-violent State and Non-state Actors Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Global Politics Topic Violent and Non-violent State and Non-state Actors Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Understanding State and Non-State Actors

State Actors

State actors are entities that represent a government or nation-state.
They have legitimate authority to use force and make decisions on behalf of their citizens.

Example

Military forces: Protect national security and sovereignty.
Law enforcement agencies: Maintain domestic order and enforce laws.
Diplomatic bodies: Engage in international relations and negotiations.

Non-State Actors

Non-state actors operate independently of government control.
They can be violent or non-violent and may pursue a wide range of goals.

Example

Terrorist groups: Use violence to achieve political objectives (e.g., ISIS, Boko Haram).
Rebel movements: Challenge state authority, often through armed conflict (e.g., FARC in Colombia).
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Advocate for social, environmental, or humanitarian causes (e.g., Amnesty International, Greenpeace).
Multinational corporations (MNCs): Influence economic and political decisions through their global operations (e.g., Apple, ExxonMobil).

Note

The distinction between state and non-state actors is not always clear-cut.
Some non-state actors may receive support from states, blurring the lines of accountability and legitimacy.

Violent State Actors

1. Military Forces

Role: Protect national security, defend borders, and engage in warfare.

Example

United States military: Involved in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Russian armed forces: Engaged in Ukraine and Syria.

2. Law Enforcement Agencies

Role: Maintain domestic order, enforce laws, and combat crime.

Example

Police forces: May use force in situations like riots or counter-terrorism operations.
Special units: SWAT teams or counter-terrorism squads.

Note

While state actors have the legal right to use force, their actions are often subject to international law and human rights standards.

Violent Non-State Actors

1. Terrorist Groups

Characteristics:

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Note

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Understanding State and Non-State Actors

State Actors

State actors are entities that represent a government or nation-state.
They have legitimate authority to use force and make decisions on behalf of their citizens.

Example

Military forces: Protect national security and sovereignty.
Law enforcement agencies: Maintain domestic order and enforce laws.
Diplomatic bodies: Engage in international relations and negotiations.

Non-State Actors

Non-state actors operate independently of government control.
They can be violent or non-violent and may pursue a wide range of goals.

Example

Terrorist groups: Use violence to achieve political objectives (e.g., ISIS, Boko Haram).
Rebel movements: Challenge state authority, often through armed conflict (e.g., FARC in Colombia).
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Advocate for social, environmental, or humanitarian causes (e.g., Amnesty International, Greenpeace).
Multinational corporations (MNCs): Influence economic and political decisions through their global operations (e.g., Apple, ExxonMobil).

Note

The distinction between state and non-state actors is not always clear-cut.
Some non-state actors may receive support from states, blurring the lines of accountability and legitimacy.

Violent State Actors

1. Military Forces

Role: Protect national security, defend borders, and engage in warfare.

Example

United States military: Involved in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Russian armed forces: Engaged in Ukraine and Syria.

2. Law Enforcement Agencies

Role: Maintain domestic order, enforce laws, and combat crime.

Example

Police forces: May use force in situations like riots or counter-terrorism operations.
Special units: SWAT teams or counter-terrorism squads.

Note

While state actors have the legal right to use force, their actions are often subject to international law and human rights standards.

Violent Non-State Actors

1. Terrorist Groups

Characteristics:

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

IB Global Politics Violent and Non-violent State and Non-state Actors Notes

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

Understanding State and Non-State Actors

State Actors

Non-State Actors

Violent State Actors

1. Military Forces

2. Law Enforcement Agencies

Violent Non-State Actors

1. Terrorist Groups

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Understanding State and Non-State Actors

State Actors

Non-State Actors

Violent State Actors

1. Military Forces

2. Law Enforcement Agencies

Violent Non-State Actors

1. Terrorist Groups

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account