1. Introduction

The primary goals of this unit are to:
  • Introduce the fundamental units of the international system, focusing on the distinction between state and non-state actors
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  • Explain the legal and political characteristics that define a "State" as the primary actor in global affairs
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  • Trace the historical evolution of international actors, particularly the growth of the United Nations and the emergence of non-state entities after World War II
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  • Categorize various Non-State Actors (NSAs), including international organisations, regional blocs, trans-national actors, and NGOs
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  • Analyse the shifting dynamics of power where state authority is increasingly challenged by technological advancement and global interdependence

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