Flashcards for:
Power and Politics in Today's World - DeVane Lecture

The period since the fall of the Berlin Wall is marked by significant transitions, such as the spread of democratization, the rise of global capitalism, the impact of major events like 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis, leading to global instability.

Since 2016, there has been a rise in far-right and populist movements, such as Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) in Germany, Brexit in the UK, and the election of Donald Trump in the US. These movements often challenge traditional political parties and promote anti-establishment sentiments.

The 'waves of democratization' refer to periods when large numbers of countries transitioned to democratic governance. In the new global order, these waves were prominent in Eastern Europe and parts of Africa and Latin America during the 1990s.

Challenges include understanding the causes of current political discontent, addressing economic and political insecurities, overcoming the rise of populist movements, and implementing effective reforms.

Institutions like the ICC and the UN Responsibility to Protect are significant because they represent efforts to maintain international justice, uphold human rights, and address global conflicts in the post-1989 world order.

Neoliberalism and the Washington Consensus promoted policies of market liberalization, deregulation, and privatization, influencing the global economic and political order after the collapse of communism.

Post-9/11, there was an increase in security measures, military interventions, and a shift in global focus towards combating terrorism, significantly impacting international relations and domestic policies worldwide.

Fukuyama's 'End of History' thesis argued that liberal democracy and capitalist economic principles had triumphed, marking the endpoint of humanity's socio-cultural evolution. It reflected the optimism of the 1990s towards democratic capitalism.

The Good Friday Accords were significant for bringing an end to the majority of the violence of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and setting a framework for political cooperation.

State capitalism resurged with countries like China and Russia leading the way, where governments maintain significant control over the economy, contrasting with Western liberal capitalist models.

The fall of the Berlin Wall signified the end of the Cold War, leading to a decline in Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and a rise in democracy movements globally.

Normative political theory approaches involve examining how political systems should function and focusing on practical implementation of ethical and just policies to improve political futures.

The stability and prosperity were underpinned by favorable demographic factors and the geopolitical dynamics of the Cold War.

The 2008 financial crisis led to rising economic insecurity, increased distrust in government and financial institutions, and contributed to the rise of populist and anti-establishment movements.

Current political trends in Europe, such as unstable coalitions and the rise of far-right parties like AfD, draw parallels to the political instability and the rise of authoritarian movements seen in Europe during the 1920s and 1930s.