SESSION 2 – Theories
REALISM
• REALISTS CONCEPTS: Anarchy , Security Dilemma, Balance of power.
Realism states that:
1. POWER is the currency of international relations.
2. Conflict is inevitable.
Identified with material capabilities and national interest
• How is the international system structured?
Realists contend that the international system is anarchic (not anarchist!!!)
• How does anarchy operate/what does it mean in the international system?
1.No central authority (no government, no rules, no laws, etc)
2. No police force to enfore rules, laws, etc. Insecurity+self-help system.
3. Trust is difficult. Thus, it’s difficult to cooperate.
BALANCE OF POWER
- It’s a theory of State behaviour that explains why States act the way they do.
- States act to preserve an equilibrium of power in the system to prevent one State
from dominating others. War is a way to maintain the equilibrium in the system. If one
State has too much power, others will prevent this by:
- Increasing their own power (military capacity)
- Alliances
• Why do States want power? Security Dilemma. Offensive vs/defensive realism
• Realists reastraints to the use of force/realists ways of keeping international
peace:
- Power ratio
- Allies
- Distance and size
Basically, deterrence, though Morghentau thinks the sense of community is a
deterrent too.
Different strands within realism:
1. Classical Realism
2. StructuralRealism /Neorrealism:
- Offensive Realism
- Defensive Realism
,LIBERALISM
Important liberal authors: John Locke, Immanuel Kant.
Liberal assumptions in Kant’s thinking:
1. Belief in the rational qualities of individuals.
2. Faith in the feasibility of progress in social life.
3. Humans are able to cooperate and create a more peaceful and harmonious
society.
• They (re) gain importance in the 1970s:
• There are three strands in liberal political thought:
a) Interdependence
b) Democratic Peace
c) Institutionalism
Liberals believe the security dilemma can be overcome. According to Kant, through:
1. Democratic Governance (negotiation+compromiso+institutions)
2. Economic Interdependence (it fosters empathy and self-interest).
3. Institutions (International Law and organizations).
RADICAL APPROACHES – MARXISM
• Two strands:
a) Orthodox Marxist Theory: Capitalism fosters the increased struggle for profits
that generates conflict.
b) Dependence Theory:
It emerges in the 60s and 70s. It is concerned with the following question: Why are
countries not developing?
- The international system is preventing them to do so. The system is
exploitative.
- Capitalist alliance with the ruling classes of the developing world.
CONSTRUCTIVISM
The world as we know it is a social construction.
It is an ideational approach to IR (Ideational=based on ideas). This is the oppossite to
Realism and Liberalism that are material approaches
(Realism=power/liberalism=trade).
Ideas are important because:
• 1. They create identities.
• 2. Ideas evolve.
• 3. Ideas shape how we understand sitautions.
Alexander Wendt. Seminal article: Anarchy is what states make of it: The social
construction of power politics.
, He puts forward the following questions:
• Does the absence of centralized political authority force states to play
competitive power politics?
• Can international conditions overcome this logic and under what conditions?
• What in anarchy is given and immutable and what is amenable to change?
STUDY GUIDE
• Realist concepts and their implications in world politics. Realist strands.
• The liberal response. Overcoming Realism. Understand how each strand tackles
the problem.
• Constructivism: an ideational response (vs the materialist response of Realism
and Liberalism).
• Video on anarchy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Gm79wstmY
SESSION 4 & 5 – Cooperation through International Organizations and Global
Governance
WHAT IS POWER? PLAYING THE STATUS GAME
1. Power as influence
• People behave according to status; their own and other people’s (Status
game).
• Power understood in a wide perspective is INFLUENCE; being able to make
someone do what you want them to do.
• In IOS we see power as influence playing out.
2. Why does cooperation happen?
a) To achieve something that would otherwise not be possible. Power as influence is
essential in cooperation.
b) Every country benefits from cooperation:
a. Small-middle powers: defence against aggression
b. Great powers: so their actions are seen as legitimate
3. Global governance
Cooperation facilitates global governance. Some IOS seek integration.
Eg: The EU has traditionally sought for integration from a functionalist
approach.
• What is global governance?
• Who carries out global governance?
• What does theory say about global governance?
• How should global governance be pursued?
REALISM
• REALISTS CONCEPTS: Anarchy , Security Dilemma, Balance of power.
Realism states that:
1. POWER is the currency of international relations.
2. Conflict is inevitable.
Identified with material capabilities and national interest
• How is the international system structured?
Realists contend that the international system is anarchic (not anarchist!!!)
• How does anarchy operate/what does it mean in the international system?
1.No central authority (no government, no rules, no laws, etc)
2. No police force to enfore rules, laws, etc. Insecurity+self-help system.
3. Trust is difficult. Thus, it’s difficult to cooperate.
BALANCE OF POWER
- It’s a theory of State behaviour that explains why States act the way they do.
- States act to preserve an equilibrium of power in the system to prevent one State
from dominating others. War is a way to maintain the equilibrium in the system. If one
State has too much power, others will prevent this by:
- Increasing their own power (military capacity)
- Alliances
• Why do States want power? Security Dilemma. Offensive vs/defensive realism
• Realists reastraints to the use of force/realists ways of keeping international
peace:
- Power ratio
- Allies
- Distance and size
Basically, deterrence, though Morghentau thinks the sense of community is a
deterrent too.
Different strands within realism:
1. Classical Realism
2. StructuralRealism /Neorrealism:
- Offensive Realism
- Defensive Realism
,LIBERALISM
Important liberal authors: John Locke, Immanuel Kant.
Liberal assumptions in Kant’s thinking:
1. Belief in the rational qualities of individuals.
2. Faith in the feasibility of progress in social life.
3. Humans are able to cooperate and create a more peaceful and harmonious
society.
• They (re) gain importance in the 1970s:
• There are three strands in liberal political thought:
a) Interdependence
b) Democratic Peace
c) Institutionalism
Liberals believe the security dilemma can be overcome. According to Kant, through:
1. Democratic Governance (negotiation+compromiso+institutions)
2. Economic Interdependence (it fosters empathy and self-interest).
3. Institutions (International Law and organizations).
RADICAL APPROACHES – MARXISM
• Two strands:
a) Orthodox Marxist Theory: Capitalism fosters the increased struggle for profits
that generates conflict.
b) Dependence Theory:
It emerges in the 60s and 70s. It is concerned with the following question: Why are
countries not developing?
- The international system is preventing them to do so. The system is
exploitative.
- Capitalist alliance with the ruling classes of the developing world.
CONSTRUCTIVISM
The world as we know it is a social construction.
It is an ideational approach to IR (Ideational=based on ideas). This is the oppossite to
Realism and Liberalism that are material approaches
(Realism=power/liberalism=trade).
Ideas are important because:
• 1. They create identities.
• 2. Ideas evolve.
• 3. Ideas shape how we understand sitautions.
Alexander Wendt. Seminal article: Anarchy is what states make of it: The social
construction of power politics.
, He puts forward the following questions:
• Does the absence of centralized political authority force states to play
competitive power politics?
• Can international conditions overcome this logic and under what conditions?
• What in anarchy is given and immutable and what is amenable to change?
STUDY GUIDE
• Realist concepts and their implications in world politics. Realist strands.
• The liberal response. Overcoming Realism. Understand how each strand tackles
the problem.
• Constructivism: an ideational response (vs the materialist response of Realism
and Liberalism).
• Video on anarchy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Gm79wstmY
SESSION 4 & 5 – Cooperation through International Organizations and Global
Governance
WHAT IS POWER? PLAYING THE STATUS GAME
1. Power as influence
• People behave according to status; their own and other people’s (Status
game).
• Power understood in a wide perspective is INFLUENCE; being able to make
someone do what you want them to do.
• In IOS we see power as influence playing out.
2. Why does cooperation happen?
a) To achieve something that would otherwise not be possible. Power as influence is
essential in cooperation.
b) Every country benefits from cooperation:
a. Small-middle powers: defence against aggression
b. Great powers: so their actions are seen as legitimate
3. Global governance
Cooperation facilitates global governance. Some IOS seek integration.
Eg: The EU has traditionally sought for integration from a functionalist
approach.
• What is global governance?
• Who carries out global governance?
• What does theory say about global governance?
• How should global governance be pursued?
