An Essay on International Relations Involving Uncivil Networks, Guns Control, Terrorism, and Human Trafficking

A network, or non-state actor, is a group that has the ability to link a large number of people through a common cause, such as religion or ethnicity, yet lack the characteristics and identity of a state, IGO, NGO, or MNC. Despite their non-state status, these groups can typically garner enough power and influence to impact international relations. There are two types of networks: Civil and uncivil. Civil networks coalesce around a common cause and are typically non-violent. They do not resort to using violence as a means of attracting attention to their cause.

Uncivil networks do the contrary. While they are also formed around a common cause, violence is their preferred method of action. Terrorism is a method that is often used.

When describing terrorism, there is no general definition available. Various acts fall under the umbrella of terrorism and organizations that use them often do it for different reasons. Thus, it is hard to link them with a common characteristic and produce a generalized definition. In fact, there are hundreds of definitions. Up until the last century, terrorism had only been one used during wars or conflicts of social or religious unrest within a country or region. However, with the help of technology and the ability to reach masses of people worldwide, it has now shifted into a more global phenomenon.

Uncivil networks are typically the kind of organizations that would use violent acts of terror as a means to spread their message and demand a change to the status quo. Their use of violence is their most identifiable characteristic. Uncivil networks are extreme by nature, which is usually the reason for its existence in the first place. In response to their rejection by mainstream or civil networks, people who believe that violence is an important component to their cause, will come together and form an uncivil network.

Human trafficking is the collection and transporting of people for the sole purpose of exploiting them. These people are usually acquired through the use of force or are deceived into coopering with people who only mean to cause them harm. Human traffickers typically prey on the desperation of people who will jump at any opportunity to better their current dire situation. Human trafficking is a worldwide issue and nearly every country has to deal with some form of it. As a result, the United Nations has focused on several measures and international laws meant to combat this issue by targeting the criminals who engage in human trafficking as well as protect and support victims of this heinous crime.

Crimes, such as terrorism and human trafficking, cannot occur without the easy access of small weapons and armory. While there is small arms control measures put into place, it still has not stopped the proliferation and misuse of such weapons nor the likelihood of these weapons falling into the hands of criminals or terrorists. As a result, it has been argued and nearly agreed upon by most international organizations, that stronger small arms control norms are needed to combat the spread of unregistered weapons. Unfortunately, the creation of stronger control measures is often met with two roadblocks. Gun rights organizations are key obstructionists. These organizations, which fall under the category of civil networks, support gun possession regardless of its violent implications. Often flexing their political, social, and financial muscle, they influence gun laws to their liking. Another obstructer is the attitude towards small gun ownership and use. The use of weapons is typically considered legitimate and necessary for the use of law enforcement, self-defense, national defense, and even hunting. This legitimacy makes it hard for people to throw their full support behind stricter small guns control norms.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Diez, Thomas, Ingvild Bode, and Aleksandra Fernandes da Costa. Key Concepts in International Relations. SAGE Key Concepts. London: SAGE Publications, 2011.

Grillot, Suzette R. Global Gun Control: Examining the Consequences of Competing International Norms. Global Governance 17, no. 4, 2011

Rourke, John T, and Mark A Boyer. International Politics on the World Stage. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2010.

United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) “UNODC on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling.” http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/index.html?ref=menuside [accessed 25 March 2014].