Theories Flashcards
(40 cards)
3 Assumptions of Realism
- States are the only relevant actors in IR
- A leader’s responsibility is to maintain and increase power in order to maximize security.
- Global system lacks authority.
Three S’s of Realism
Statism - states are main actors
Survival - the preeminent goal of states is to survive
Self-help - states are always looking out for their own interests (this makes them maximize their power positions)
Classical Realism vs Neorealism
Classical:
Conflict is result of human nature
Neo:
Conflict is result of anarchic system, no one is going to help individual states
Distribution of capabilities dictates who is able to do what
Lack of trust results in security dilemma
Bipolar system is most stable
Offensive Realism
Assumes that states seek to maximize their power and influence in order to achieve security through domination and hegemony.
Defensive Realism
Assumes anarchical structure of the international system encourages states to maintain moderate and reserved policies in order to attain security.
Key Aspects of Liberalism
- Free trade creates more peace
- Natural goodness is the cause of cooperative behaviour
- States are the most important actor, but others matter
- States try and make absolute gains, not relative ones
Liberal Internationalism
- Political liberalism - spreading natural rights, equality of opportunity, democracy
- Economic Liberalism - encouraging states to adopt neoliberal capitalist ideas
- Multilateralism - cooperating with other states to ensure this is done
- Normative Liberalism
Liberal view of Global System
- System is anarchic
- States are prominent, but not the only actors
- Conflict is present, but cooperation is possible
Democratic Peace Theory
Burden of War - Countries with a voting public won’t want to spend money on aggression but rather on infrastructure
Trade During War
Idealism
The school of thought that arose post World War 1, which believed we could fundamentally change systemic issues that led to war. Students of international relations were taught mostly to try and find ways to bring peace and prosperity.
3 Aspects of Neoliberalism (Liberal institutionalism)
- Complex Interdependence – recognition that states are not only important actors, national security is not exclusive priority, things such as the economy also contribute greatly to security, therefore we should find more solutions than military to political problems.
- Regime/Structural Theories – neoliberals believe global system is anarchy, but states still place heavy emphasis on norms forced by other global actors, these are implicit and explicit rules.
- Cooperation in Anarchy – they believe this is possible, through the use of rational choice theory, in many situations cooperation is the best option for individual states
Classical vs Neoliberalism
Similarities:
- Cooperation and interdependence are best for peace
- States are not the only actors
Differences:
- Neoliberals reject utopian tendencies of classical
- Neoliberals acknowledge anarchy can lead to conflict, but we can usually find a way to manage it
- Classical liberals believe we cooperate out of altruism, neoliberals believe we do it because it is in our best interest
Key Aspects of Classical Realism
- They view the global system as anarchic
- They view the nature of states the same as people, an endless struggle for power
- People and states are self-interested, and that’s not a bad thing
Realpolitik
Politics are motivated by power and material considerations more than ideology or ethics, if we’re going to understand global politics, we need to understand the law of power
Balance of Power Systems
Multipolar (Pre - WW1)
Bipolar (Cold War) - Realist think it is most stable
Unipolar (1991-Present?) - Some think it is the most stable because hegemons act as global authority
Historical Materialism
Economic developments always shape political structure and developments
Hegel’s Dialectic
There is a thesis, which prompts an anti-thesis, which is followed by resolution, which becomes the thesis, and on and on.
Modes of Production
- Economic Base (system of wealth creation Ex.: slavery, wage slavery)
- Political Superstructure (legal-political system that reinforces economic base)
Three Ways to Return on Investment According to Marx
- Find new markets, exploit them
- Decrease labour costs
- Raise prices
The End of Capitalism (The Crisis of Overproduction)
Once markets became saturated, bourgeoisie would fire employees, which would lead to no consumption, which would lead to higher prices
Monopoly Capitalism
Lenin’s 4th way to return on investment. Companies can buy competing companies.
Lenin & Imperialism
Lenin viewed imperialism as the ultimate form of capitalism. He viewed the elites using the proletariats to dominate other countries, which would turn proletariats against each other. (World War 1)
Lenin & Nationalism
He viewed nationalism as a way for elites to turn their citizens against other countries for their own material needs.
Operation Condor
Campaign of political repression and state terror involving intelligence operations and assassination of opponents. Implemented by right-wing dictators in South America and partly funded by US.
