Chapter 2: Theories of World Politics. Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning Concepts Paradigm: Dominant way of looking at a particular subject; structured

Chapter 2: Theories of

World Politics

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning

Concepts Paradigm: Dominant way of

looking at a particular subject; structured patterns of inquiry and interpretation

Theory: Set of hypotheses postulating relationships between variables; used to describe, explain, and predict; must be falsifiable and stand the test of time

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The Philosophical Underpinnings of Realism

Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War (5th Century BC)

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“The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.”

“Of gods we trust and of men we know, it is in their nature to rule whenever they can.”

“What made war inevitable was the growth of the Athenian power and the fear that this caused in Sparta.”

“So far as right and wrong are concerned…there is no difference between the two…”


Central Assumptions of Realism

Anarchy States as the main actors States as unitary actors States as rational actors “Realpolitik”—states should be

prepared for war in order to preserve peace

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Realism’s Tenets (1 of 2)

People are selfish and ethically flawed and compete for self-advantage

People have an instinctive lust for power Eradicating this instinct is not possible International politics is a “a war of all

against all” The prime obligation of the state is

promoting the national interest

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Realism’s Tenets (2 of 2)

Anarchical international system requires states to acquire military power

Military power is more important than economics

Do not trust allies Resist international efforts to control state

protection and institute global governance Seek flexible alliances to maintain a

balance of power

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Important Concepts for Realism

Power: The ability to significantly effect the behavior of another actor

Self-help: A principle that in anarchy actors must rely on themselves to promote or protect their own interests

Relative Gains: In Realist theory the comparative change in power or influence is more important than the absolute measure of increase/decrease in power

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The Security Dilemma Insecurity leads states to

arm, but arms create more insecurity.

8Full 24 min.Reading 8 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5FR_cuQsrc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK027qfwyd4


Game Theory analysis

The Prisoner’s Dilemma Defect Cooperate What are the payoffs?

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The Evolution of Realist Thought

World War II East–West rivalry of the Cold War Structural realism or neorealism

• Used global level of analysis• Focus on anarchy• Kenneth Waltz• John Mearsheimer

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Variants of Realism

Balance of Power Theory Hegemonic Stability Theory

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Criticism of Realism

Could not explain increased cooperation after World War II

Many of its propositions not easily testable: criticized by behavioral scientists

Lacks precision in defining key terms Disregards ethical principles Focuses on military might at economic

and social expense of states

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Other Criticisms: Defining Power in a Meaningful Way is Difficult (1 of 2)

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What factors make a state powerful? The three tables above list the top 10 states (including the EU as a single state) in three different categories that might be used to assess power.


Other Criticisms: Defining Power in a Meaningful Way is Difficult (2 of 2)

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The Venn diagram shows which states are in the top ten in one, two and three categories. What does this kind of analysis show us? What does it obscure? What other categories might be used to assess power? Are the different categories of equal importance? All these questions complicate efforts to assess the role of power in international politics.


Liberalism (AKA: Idealism)

Holds that reason and ethics can overcome international anarchy to create a more orderly and cooperative world

Optimistic about the prospects of cooperation Emphasizes establishing stable democracies as a

way to reduce conflict Politics is not seen as zero-sum Emphasizes free trade because it helps prevent

disputes from escalating into war Stresses the importance of international

institutions Also called “idealism”

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Three Strands of Liberal Theory

Variant of Liberalism

Level of Analysis

Departure from Realism

Liberal Institutionalism System. Retains basic assumption of balance of power theory.

Anarchy does not necessarily lead to conflict. Cooperation is possible.

Complex Interdependence Theory

Sub-state, but not exclusively. Focuses on individuals, firms, NGOs, organizations within governments as key actors.

States are not the only important actors. Actors have diverse interests in international politics. Much of IR has little to do with military security.

Democratic Peace Theory

State. Focuses on what kind of government the state has.

States are not all essentially the same. Liberal (democratic) states can solve disputes without war.


The Evolution of Liberal Thought

World War I Collective security International law Disarmament Complex interdependence International regimes Neoliberalism

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The Limitations of Liberalism

Realists argue that institutions actually exert minimal influence on state behavior.

The prospects for cooperation are more likely in issues of low politics than of high politics.

Realists also argue that liberals tend to turn foreign policy into a moral crusade.

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Neorealism

Accepts much of realism States’ behavior determined by

differences in relative power All states have same objectives, but

different capacities to realize them Distribution of capacities determines

structure of the international system Global level of analysis

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Neoliberalism

Developed by critics of realism/neorealism

Focuses on how IGOs and other nonstate actors promote cooperation and peace

Examines how states cooperate with each other and de-emphasize conflict

Points to regional integration, especially the European Union

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Economic Structuralism

Also known as Marxism Focuses on the distribution of wealth

• Motivation in politics• Source of power

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Assumptions of Economic Structuralism

Economic determinism Class system

• Bourgeoisie• Proletariat

Surplus value

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Constructivism

Focus on the impact of ideas World politics is socially constructed Focus on the role of norms as

constitutive, constraining, or enabling Power in international relations

revolves around actors’ ability to persuade others to accept their ideas

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Important Constructivist Terms

Interests Identities Norms

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The Limitations of Constructivism

Inability to explain why and how ideas change over time

Privileging of structures over agents in understanding international events

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The Radical Critique Socialists focus on class conflict Dependency theory: Poverty in the Third

World stemmed from the exploitative structure of the capitalist world economy

World-system theory: Views the world capitalist system as consisting of a core, periphery and semi-periphery; the core shifts over time from one area to another

Radical critiques tend to overemphasize economic interpretations of international events

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The Feminist Critique Examines the exclusion of women in discussions

about international affairs and the injustice and unequal treatment of women this prejudice caused

Explores how gender identity shapes foreign policy decision making and how gendered hierarchies reinforced practices that perpetuated inequalities between men and women

Feminists differ in the importance they place on the inherent differences between men and women

Need to focus on the role of women as a whole, not just female leaders

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Schools of Thought in Feminist Theory

Feminist Empiricism Feminist Standpoint Theory Feminist Postmodernism

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Questions for Critical Thinking (1 of 2)

1. What are the strong and weak aspects of realism?

2. In the liberal paradigm, how does anarchy create incentives to cooperate?

3. How does neoliberalism differ from liberalism?

4. According to Marxist definitions, is your family part of the bourgeoisie, or of the proletariat?

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Questions for Critical Thinking (2 of 2)

5. Which theory has the best explanatory and predictive power regarding the confrontation between the United States and Iraq?

6. Which theory has the best explanatory and predictive power for world politics in general?

7. Does the nature of the international system change over time?

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Web Links

Contemporary Philosophy, Critical Theory, and Postmodern Thought

Data on the Net Feminist Theory Website Niccolò Machiavelli President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourtee

n Points

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http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itc_data/postmodern.html

http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itc_data/postmodern.html

http://3stages.org/idata

http://www.cddc.vt.edu/feminism

http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/macv.htm

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1918wilson.html

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1918wilson.html

Documents

Chapter 2: Theories of World Politics. Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning Concepts Paradigm: Dominant way of looking at a particular subject; structured