Social Structures (DP IB Global Politics): Revision Note

International social structures

• Social structures are the relationship patterns that define how actors and stakeholders interact in global politics

• In global politics states are often considered in terms of their power

  • Social structures at the international level could be seen as a hierarchy of the most powerful states to the least powerful states

Top levels of the international power structure

• The perception of power determines how states interact with each other

  • This is an example of a social structure at the international level

• Realism argues that the only social structure of any significance at the international level is the complex relationships of power between powerful states

  • Maintaining that balanced structure, is the best chance at global stability

• However, there are actors other than states

  • At the international level IGOs, MNCs, private actors, NGOs and others should also be considered

  • Their relationships are dependent on many factors

    • IGOs made up of states are perceived as non-state actors - in reality, the opposite is true

    • Some MNCs and private actors have more wealth and influence than some states - this impacts how they are treated by other actors and states  

    • NGOs work collaboratively with IGOs and state actors but only when invited 

• States are the most influential actors in global politics

  • Their relationships with IGOs, MNCs, private actors and NGOs hugely influence international social structures

Regional social structures

• Regions within global politics are geographic areas which encompass at least two states

• There are different understandings and definitions of regions, but this map produced by the UN is widely accepted

• Within regions people often (but not always) share

  • Geographic features and concerns 

  • History

  • Cultural, linguistic and religious values

  • Similar political systems 

  • Similar levels of economic and social development

• States within regions may work together by forming IGOs or agreements to promote

  • Security

  • Economic growth

  • Political development

• In recent years regions have strengthened their unity to counteract the power imbalances seen at the international level  of politics

  • However, international social structures continue to dominate

Social structures within the state

• Government and political institutions provide the necessary foundation for social structures and interactions within the state

  • Ultimately, within the state, the government is at the centre of all social structures

• Some of the ways this can be seen include

  • The enforcement of laws and maintenance of social order by

    • Judicial and legal systems

    • Policing systems

    • The military

    • Shaping social services

  • Social services 

    • Education

    • Healthcare

    • Housing 

    • Care for those unable to care for themselves

  • Economic responsibilities 

    • Sound economic policies

    • Job creation

    • Tax taking and spending

• Within states other actors such as NGOs, private individuals or religious groups may be actively involved in social services, but only with the permission of the government

• Companies must operate in ways determined by the government

• Other political parties will operate in the case of a democracy

• Social and resistance movements may also be allowed by law in the case of democracies