Neorealism

Question 1

What is anarchy?

Answer 1

defined by a lack of superior power

Question 2

Consequences of anarchy

Answer 2

1. competition
2. balance of power
3. lack of trust
4. self-preservation and self-help
   -> states are functionally similar, self-reliant forces

Question 3

Why does Waltz think we need systemic theory?

Answer 3

• encompasses international dynamics
• reductionalist theories only apply to national characteristics
• shows how anarchy and power shape the behaviour of all states

Question 4

How does order emerge under anarchy? (Morgenthau)

Answer 4

• when one state gains a decisive advantage over the other, preventing further action (hierarchy)
  -> based on notion that states adapt to behaviour of others

Question 5

How does order emerge under anarchy? (Waltz)

Answer 5

• only if anarchy is maintained through the self-help system
• states are kept in check through the anarchic system

Question 6

when an why is there stability in international politics? (Waltz)

Answer 6

when there is balance of power and the states succumb to the international order (hierarchic or anarchic)

Question 7

what does “stability” mean?

Answer 7

absence of system wide war

Question 8

Waltz - Theory of International Politics

Answer 8

• politics are distinct form society
• international politics are different from domestic politics (in contrast to Morgenthau)

Question 9

Waltz’s Goal

Answer 9

make realism scientific
-> theories should be able to explain what assumptions are made and why, what actors matter

Question 10

parsimonious/systemic vs. reductionist

Answer 10

• parsimonious: reduce complexity and only regard the most important actors and explain the most with the fewest assumptions
• reductionist: reduce complexity through focusing only on domestic structures

Question 11

Analogy to market forces

Answer 11

outcomes are independent of intentions

Question 12

How do structures work their effects?

Answer 12

• socialization
• competition

Question 13

Socialization

Answer 13

States are socialized into the international system
-> they are constantly observing and copying each other
-> goal is to outperform opponents

Question 14

Competition

Answer 14

economic notion

Question 15

When will states disappear?

Answer 15

if they don’t engage in self-help or behave differently to the system

Question 16

Main thinkers

Answer 16

Waltz

Question 17

International System = ?

Answer 17

International Structure + Interacting Units
-> analyzed separately because intentions don’t matter in anarchy because the outcome will be different regardless

Question 18

Problem of reductionsism (classical Realism)

Answer 18

If I am interested in effects of structure on behaviour of units, I need a definition of Structure that is independent of the attributes of the units

Question 19

domestic sphere (domestic)

Answer 19

• ordering principle: hierarchy
• functional differentiation: executive, legislative, judiciary (specialization on issue areas)
• distribution of capabilities: which brang/organ is the most powerful in state

Question 20

internatonal system

Answer 20

• ordering principle: anarchy
• functional differentiation: none
• distribution of capabilities: depends on number of great powers

Question 21

significance of the distribution of capabilities

Answer 21

• only true variable (the other 2 are fixed)
• feature of the system and therefore of international structure
• basis for differentiation of uni- bi- and multipolar systems
• explains phenomena of international politics

Question 22

systems

Answer 22

• have to be differentiated to make factors more abstract
• bipolar systems are the most stable because of competition of powers and their focus on either stability or instability
• Example: Cold War

Question 23

characterization of units

Answer 23

• states = units
• influences like political systems, leadership, culture, structure, trade etc. don’t matter
• they can be analyzed as black boxes (no need to know what’s inside to analyze their behavior, only that they seek to survive in an anarchic system)
  -> states are alike regarding functions
  -> they differ in terms of capabilities

Question 24

relative vs absolute gains

Answer 24

relative gains are more important
-> cooperation becomes more difficult

Question 25

how is security achieved?

Answer 25

through balancing the capabilities of others (internal and external balancing)

Question 26

internal balancing

Answer 26

1. armement 2. economy 3. strategy

Question 27

external balancing

Answer 27

alliances against the strongest states in the system

Question 28

stance on band-wagoning

Answer 28

(forming an alliance with strongest pole in system) - is harmful because one is on the side of the enemy -> opposite of joining forces with those threatened by the same pole

Question 29

when is balance of power more likely?

Answer 29

when there is variation of structures -> in multipolarity

Question 30

effects of a unipolar order (hierarchy)

Answer 30

+ anarchy is guaranteed (hegemon enforces rules to keep the structure alive) - anarchy is threatened because everybody submits/adapts to a hegemonic power

Question 31

multipolarity requires...

Answer 31

...more external balancing (alliances without bandwaggoning)

Question 32

bipolarity requires...

Answer 32

...more internal balancing (arms build up) -> is more predictable

Question 33

defensive realism

Answer 33

- Waltz - states don't necessarily strive for endless power - focus on autonomy instead (collaboration is possible to achieve autonomy from a major power) - ultimate goal is security

Question 34

offensive realism

Answer 34

- Mearsheimer - assumes that states want to dominate to achieve security