International Politics and Economy

【Civics】International Politics & Economics: Mastering the Connection Between the World and Japan!

Hello everyone! Today we are entering the field of "International Politics and Economics." You’ve likely heard terms on the news like the "UN," "weak yen/strong yen," and "SDGs." These are all topics we will cover in this chapter.
You might think, "What happens globally has nothing to do with me," but in reality, our daily lives—the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the price of our smartphones, and more—are all connected to the world. It might feel difficult at first, but if you focus on the key points, you'll be just fine! Let’s have fun learning together!

1. The Structure of International Society and International Law

A World Composed of Sovereign States

The world today is built on units called sovereign states. A sovereign state is a country that possesses "sovereignty"—the right to decide its own affairs without interference from other nations.
Key Point: The three elements of sovereignty are "territory (land, territorial waters, and airspace)," "population," and "sovereignty itself."

The Rules of International Society: "International Law"

There are rules between countries, too. These are called international law. They generally fall into two categories:
1. Treaties: Written agreements between countries (e.g., The Japan-U.S. Security Treaty).
2. International Customary Law: Rules that aren't written down but have become established through long-standing practice (e.g., diplomatic privileges).

Fun Fact: The person known as the father of international law is the Dutchman Grotius. He wrote a book called "The Law of War and Peace," arguing that rules are necessary even during wartime.

◎ Important Takeaway:
Unlike domestic law, there is no "world police" with strong enforcement power in international society. Because of this, cooperation between countries is absolutely vital.

2. The Structure of the United Nations (UN)

Reflecting on the lessons of World War II, the United Nations (UN) was established in 1945.

Major Organs

1. General Assembly: A forum for discussion where every member state has one vote.
2. Security Council: The core organ for maintaining world peace. It consists of five permanent members (the U.S., Russia, China, the U.K., and France) and 10 non-permanent members.
3. Economic and Social Council: Deals with issues like welfare and education.

The Power of the Security Council: "Veto Power"

The five permanent members possess veto power. Even if every other country agrees, if even one of these five nations votes against a proposal, the decision cannot be made.
Analogy: Imagine if a whole class says, "Let's go to an amusement park!" but if the class president (the permanent member) says "No," the trip is canceled.

Common Misconception:
× The UN army can deploy immediately whenever it wants.
○ In reality, it is more common to carry out Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), such as monitoring ceasefires.

[Summary]
The UN is an organization aiming for world peace and cooperation. Remember that the influence of the five permanent members of the Security Council is exceptionally strong!

3. The Path Toward International Peace

The Cold War and Its End

After World War II, the world split into two camps: the "Capitalist (Liberal) bloc," led by the U.S., and the "Socialist bloc," led by the Soviet Union. This state of continued tension where direct conflict was avoided is called the Cold War.
The end of the Cold War was declared at the Malta Summit in 1989.

Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament

Against the backdrop of the horror of nuclear weapons, efforts toward disarmament continue.
・NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons): A treaty to prevent the increase of nuclear-armed states.
・Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: A treaty that comprehensively bans the development and possession of nuclear weapons (effective as of 2021).

Encouragement:
Memorizing historical dates is tough, but it becomes easier if you visualize it as the flow of humanity's effort to "achieve peace!"

4. The Structure of International Economics

The exchange of money and goods also happens on a global scale.

Promoting Free Trade

There is a movement to lower tariffs (taxes on imports) to promote free trade.
・WTO (World Trade Organization): An international organization to promote free trade.
・EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement): An agreement between specific countries to set rules for not just tariffs, but also services and investment.

Exchange Rates

This refers to the ratio when exchanging money for foreign currency. This is the "weak yen/strong yen" talk you hear on the news.
If the rate goes from \( 1 \text{ dollar} = 100 \text{ yen} \) to \( 1 \text{ dollar} = 150 \text{ yen} \), the value of the yen has dropped, resulting in a weak yen.
Tip for remembering: Think of it as, "You need more money (yen) to buy 1 dollar = the yen's power is weak = weak yen!"

◎ Key Points:
・Merits of a weak yen: Japanese products become cheaper to sell overseas (favorable for exports).
・Demerits of a weak yen: Imported goods from overseas (like gasoline and wheat) become more expensive.

5. Global Issues We Face

The North-South Problem and South-South Problem

・North-South Problem: The economic gap between advanced industrial nations (often in the Northern Hemisphere) and developing nations (often in the Southern Hemisphere).
・South-South Problem: The disparity that emerges among developing nations between those with resources (like oil) and those without.

Global Environmental Issues

Environmental problems that cross national borders require the cooperation of the entire world.
・Paris Agreement: An international framework to prevent global warming.
・SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals): 17 goals to be achieved by 2030. You see the logo everywhere lately!

Fun Fact: "Sustainable" means "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In other words, aiming for a way of life that we can keep going forever.

[Closing this chapter]
International politics and economics have a lot of terms to memorize, but they are all important things that relate to our future. If you can watch the news and think, "Hey, I learned that at school!" then you've succeeded! Keep doing your best at your own pace!