FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES (MC701)

MASTER OF ARTS IN MEDIA AND INFORMATION WARFARE

LITERATURE REVIEW

MULTILATERAL, BILLATERAL AND UNILATERAL RELATION:

MEMORANDUM ON MILITARY AND ECONOMIC

Prepared for:

DR. NOOR NIRWANDY MAT NORDIN

Prepared by:

AHMAD NAQIUDDIN MOHAMAD

Date of submission:

20th SEPTEMBER 2018

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Our richly connected, complex world demands professionals skilled in international relations,
an exciting field of study that presents a globally oriented perspective on issues that transcend
national boundaries.

The study and practice of international relations is interdisciplinary in nature, blending the
fields of economics, history, and political science to examine topics such as human rights,
global poverty, the environment, economics, globalization, security, global ethics, and the
political environment.

International Relations Online delivers master’s degree programs from American

University’s top-10 ranked School of International Service (SIS). These innovative, online
programs give working professionals the chance to develop valuable relationships with
classmates and build a foundational understanding of international relations principles that
can be applied immediately to their careers. 

Exceptional economic integration, unprecedented threats to peace and security, and an

international focus on human rights and environmental protection all speak to the complexity
of international relations in the twenty-first century. This means the study of international
relations must focus on interdisciplinary research that addresses, anticipates, and ultimately
solves public policy problems.

International relations (often referred to international affairs) has a broad purpose in

contemporary society, as it seeks to understand:

 The origins of war and the maintenance of peace

 The nature and exercise of power within the global system
 The changing character of state and non-state actors who participate in international
decision-making

For example, some institutions may study the psychological and social-psychological
reasoning behind the actions of foreign policymakers, while others may focus their
international studies on the institutional processes that contribute to the goals and behaviors
of states. Ultimately, the area of international relations studied depends on the goals or
objectives of the organization.
MULTILATERISM

Multilateralism, process of organizing relations between groups of three or more states.

Beyond that basic quantitative aspect, multilateralism is generally considered to comprise
certain qualitative elements or principles that shape the character of the arrangement or
institution. Those principles are an indivisibility of interests among participants, a
commitment to diffuse reciprocity, and a system of dispute settlement intended to enforce a
particular mode of behaviour.

BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP

Bilateral relationship is generally has economic purpose. They may be exchange different
product like electricity, general commodities, or any defence equipment but purpose will be
economic benefit of both countries only. If this kind of relationship is appear between more
than  two nations then it is called multilateral relationship. Foreign trade agreement (FTA),
Foreign direct Investment(FDI) are few document which are generally signifies bilateral
relationship. Pakistan and India can have bilateral relationship but can not become strategic
partners.

UNILATERAL RELATIONSHIP

Unilateralism is the term to describe a situation where the powerful state disrespects
multilateral norms and adopts a self - centred foreign policy (Wedgwood, 2002). Power
levels determine how unilateral a state can be. As such, unilateralism is the preferred course
of action for the major powers and is more likely to be used by the hegemonic state
(Wallace, 2002). A powerful state that can achieve its policy goals using its own resources
without the need of international support can pursue a foreign policy that would not follow
accepted international norms. However, such unilateral acts come with political costs
(Thompson, 2009, p. 35) since unilateralism is often perceived as illegitimate, selfish conduct
that damages the soft power of the unilateralist state. A good example of unilateralism can be
seen in the actions of the then President-elect Donald Trump who before his inauguration in
December 2016 declared the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP)
nullified, without seeking understanding from other participating countries.
LIST OF MEMORANDUM ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

1. Agreement between Malaysia and Austria for Air Services Between and Beyond Their
Respective Territories.
2. Agreement between Malaysia and Austria for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income 
3. Agreement between Malaysia and Austria for the Promotion and Protection of
Investments. 
4. Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei.
5. Memorandum of Understanding between Malaysia and Brunei on the Establishment of an
Military Training and Exercise Area Over the South China Sea within the Kota Kinabalu
Flight Information Region
6. Agreement between Malaysia and Cambodia for the Promotion and Protection of
Investments.
7. Agreement between Malaysia and Canada concerning the Provision of Military Transport
Aircraft to Malaysia.
8. Agreement between Malaysia and Canada for the Training in Canada of Personnel of the
Armed Forces of Malaysia.
9. Loan Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of Canada for
the Temengor Hydro-Electric Project.
10. Agreement between Malaysia and China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income.
11. Agreement between Malaysia and China on Maritime Transport
12. Trade Agreement Between Malaysia and China
13. Trade Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the
Republic of Croatia
14. Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement Between the Government of Malaysia
and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt
15. Agreement between Malaysia and France for Air Services Between and Beyond Their
Respective Territories
16. Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of German
Democratic Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income
REFERENCE

1. What is International Relations? (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.internationalrelationsedu.org/what-is-international-relations/

2. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (2018, September 16). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights

3. US–China dialogue and the tenuous bilateral relationship. (2017). Strategic

Comments,23(6), I-Iii. doi:10.1080/13567888.2017.1356598

4. Tago, A. (2017, August 14). Multilateralism, Bilateralism, and Unilateralism in

Foreign Policy. Retrieved from
http://politics.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefor
e-9780190228637-e-449

5. Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/bd-bilateral_treaties