What are some of the key differences between domestic and international politics?
3 thoughts on “Sample Essay 6”
In a domestic political system, there is an established set of governing rules which outline the relationships between federal and state levels, whereas international politics are not governed. The United Nations and other international organizations have some coercive powers, but the international system is on a more independent basis with less regulation than domestic governments. Each actor in international politics can move separately and independent of one another.
Good start.
I’d also focus on anarchy vs hierarchy difference. Especially realist thinkers (Waltz and Mearsheimer from the reader) can help on these – you do not need to memorize the authors though.
In the US, domestic political system is set up by a system of hierarchy starting at the local level, to state and then national. Each body has its own set of powers and laws that allows the domestic system to function. Every domestic political system controls its citizens to different degrees but known the less holds full power. The international system however is simply anarchy. No body holds full power over all the countries. Leaders and the actions of a given state to not have to answer to any body or justify their actions to any other state. Every state puts its own self interest above that of the common good of the world and thus anarchy exists past the a domestic level.
In a domestic political system, there is an established set of governing rules which outline the relationships between federal and state levels, whereas international politics are not governed. The United Nations and other international organizations have some coercive powers, but the international system is on a more independent basis with less regulation than domestic governments. Each actor in international politics can move separately and independent of one another.
Good start.
I’d also focus on anarchy vs hierarchy difference. Especially realist thinkers (Waltz and Mearsheimer from the reader) can help on these – you do not need to memorize the authors though.
In the US, domestic political system is set up by a system of hierarchy starting at the local level, to state and then national. Each body has its own set of powers and laws that allows the domestic system to function. Every domestic political system controls its citizens to different degrees but known the less holds full power. The international system however is simply anarchy. No body holds full power over all the countries. Leaders and the actions of a given state to not have to answer to any body or justify their actions to any other state. Every state puts its own self interest above that of the common good of the world and thus anarchy exists past the a domestic level.