Theories Flashcards

(40 cards)

1
Q

3 Assumptions of Realism

A
  1. States are the only relevant actors in IR
  2. A leader’s responsibility is to maintain and increase power in order to maximize security.
  3. Global system lacks authority.
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2
Q

Three S’s of Realism

A

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)

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3
Q

Classical Realism vs Neorealism

A

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

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4
Q

Offensive Realism

A

Assumes that states seek to maximize their power and influence in order to achieve security through domination and hegemony.

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5
Q

Defensive Realism

A

Assumes anarchical structure of the international system encourages states to maintain moderate and reserved policies in order to attain security.

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6
Q

Key Aspects of Liberalism

A
  • 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
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7
Q

Liberal Internationalism

A
  1. Political liberalism - spreading natural rights, equality of opportunity, democracy
  2. Economic Liberalism - encouraging states to adopt neoliberal capitalist ideas
  3. Multilateralism - cooperating with other states to ensure this is done
  4. Normative Liberalism
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8
Q

Liberal view of Global System

A
  1. System is anarchic
  2. States are prominent, but not the only actors
  3. Conflict is present, but cooperation is possible
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9
Q

Democratic Peace Theory

A

Burden of War - Countries with a voting public won’t want to spend money on aggression but rather on infrastructure
Trade During War

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10
Q

Idealism

A

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.

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11
Q

3 Aspects of Neoliberalism (Liberal institutionalism)

A
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
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12
Q

Classical vs Neoliberalism

A

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
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13
Q

Key Aspects of Classical Realism

A
  • 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
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14
Q

Realpolitik

A

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

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15
Q

Balance of Power Systems

A

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

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16
Q

Historical Materialism

A

Economic developments always shape political structure and developments

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17
Q

Hegel’s Dialectic

A

There is a thesis, which prompts an anti-thesis, which is followed by resolution, which becomes the thesis, and on and on.

18
Q

Modes of Production

A
  1. Economic Base (system of wealth creation Ex.: slavery, wage slavery)
  2. Political Superstructure (legal-political system that reinforces economic base)
19
Q

Three Ways to Return on Investment According to Marx

A
  1. Find new markets, exploit them
  2. Decrease labour costs
  3. Raise prices
20
Q

The End of Capitalism (The Crisis of Overproduction)

A

Once markets became saturated, bourgeoisie would fire employees, which would lead to no consumption, which would lead to higher prices

21
Q

Monopoly Capitalism

A

Lenin’s 4th way to return on investment. Companies can buy competing companies.

22
Q

Lenin & Imperialism

A

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)

23
Q

Lenin & Nationalism

A

He viewed nationalism as a way for elites to turn their citizens against other countries for their own material needs.

24
Q

Operation Condor

A

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.

25
Modernization Theory
Suggests that all states can potentially move towards modernity but only through democratization, industrialization, and privatization.
26
W.W. Rostow's 5 Stages of Economic Growth
1. Traditional Societies (Agrarian) 2. Preconditions for takeoff (Modern science and technology) 3. Takeoff (Economic growth is norm, urban growth, investment in private sector) 4. Drive to maturity (shift from resource economy to luxury) 5. Age of mass consumptions (Demand for excess)
27
Dependency Theory
Core countries keep periphery countries in a subordinate state of underdevelopment.
28
World Systems Theory
Influenced by Dependency Theory, but there is a semi-periphery. Unlike dependency theory, they don't believe revolution is the answer, but believe countries can move up.
29
5 Types of Feminism
1. Liberal Feminism 2. Marxist Feminism 3. Standpoint Feminism 4. Postmodern Feminism 5. Postcolonial Feminism
30
Points of Liberal Feminism
- Representation is vital | - Politics are based on experiences of men, so they are not likely to legitimize sexism
31
Points of Marxist Feminism
- Women's inequality is bound by capitalism - Patriarchy reinforces capitalism - Double work day for women - Intersectionality in oppression
32
Standpoint Feminism
- Recognizes economic oppression, but suggest women are subordinated due to sex - Males are privileged in government because feminized things aren't prioritized
33
Postmodern Feminism
- Criticizes gender binary - Points out the way we understand language as through binaries (white/black) - It's not necessarily women that are oppressed, but anything feminized
34
Postcolonial Feminism
- Intersection of class, race, gender - Criticizes liberal feminism's homogenous view of women - Neocolonialism (ex.: academics who speak for others) - Concerns of western feminists not the same as those in the rest of the world
35
Idealized Traits in Politics
Masculine traits are privileged in politics regardless of gender
36
Constructivism
Believes mainstream theories use an inadequate framework to analyze global politics - Asserts that the ideational aspects of global politics are not emphasized enough (ideas are powerful) - Perception of us vs them and other narratives is biased
37
Constructivism and Sovereignty
Norm of state sovereignty precedes any cost-benefit analysis states may undertake
38
Constructivism and Cooperation
Unlike liberals, who believe we cooperate out of individual gain, constructivists believe it is based on constructed attitudes.
39
Constructivism and Anarchy
Anarchy's whatever states make of it. Cooperative and conflictual.
40
Three Points of Constructivism
1. States are the principal units of analysis for international political theory 2. Key structures in the state system are inter-subjective rather than objective or material 3. States identities and interests are constructed by these social structures, rather than given exogenously to the system by human nature or domestic politics