realism & neoliberal institutionalism

Question 1

what are material factors?

Answer 1

states, international organizations, individuals, etc.

Question 2

what are conceptual factors?

Answer 2

international system, ideas, norms, identities

international system - interactions of states in an international arena
identities - sense of self, beliefs that define a person
norms - collective expectations for proper behavior

Question 3

what are the 4 assumptions of realism?

Answer 3

1. state is primary actor
2. state is unitary and rational
3. ir is conflictual (anarchic)
4. state’s primary focus is power

Question 4

what are relative gains?

Answer 4

how much one state gains over another

zero-sum interactions - one state’s gain, another’s loss

Question 5

what are absolute gains?

Answer 5

how much one state gains for itself

win-win interactions - all states mutually gain

Question 6

what is the security dilemma?

Answer 6

increase in one state’s security makes others less secure

Question 7

what happens when offense is dominant?

Answer 7

wars are quick, incentive to strike first, arms race, incentive to form alliances

Question 8

what happens when defense is dominant?

Answer 8

arms races end, aggression rare, all states feel secure

Question 9

what is the core argument of neoliberal institutionalism?

Answer 9

international institutions allow states to cooperate and overcome prisoner’s dilemma dynamics, making international politics not just a battle for survival

Question 10

what are the pillars of neoliberal institutionalism?

Answer 10

1. multiple channels connecting society
2. no heirarchy of issues
3. when complex interdependence prevails -> less military