One World Many Theories

Realism Neo-Realism

Liberalism Neo-Liberal Institutionalism

Democratic Peace Theory

Two-Level Games

Constructivism

Feminist Theory

Marxism

Dependency Theory

World War I

Three Levels of Analyses

Third Image: Structural causes of WWI

Second Image: Domestic politics causes

First Image: The role of leadership, decision-making

Balance of Power Politics

BOP: description of distribution of power between states– Unipolar system: Hegemony

– Bipolar system

– Multipolar system

Conscious policy intended to achieve BOP through– Arms build up

– Alliances: align with the weaker side

– Divide and rule: territorial compensations; spheres of influence

Power

Ability to influence– Through threats and reward: hard power

– Through attraction: soft power

Control over resources– Arms, population, economy, technology, information, etc.

BOP in Europe: 19th century

Concert of Europe: 1815-1970

German Unification: 1870– Change in the distribution of power

Otto von Bismarck: German Chancellor, 1870-1890

Balance of Power and WWI

Rise of German power

Rigid alliances trying to balance each other– Triple Entente

– Triple Alliance

Perceptions about the inevitability of war

Second Image Causes

Nationalism– Austria-Hungarian empire internally challenges– Balancing through territorial re-distribution more difficult

Diversion from domestic problems– Rye and Iron coalition

Militarism– Military hawks; the Sclieffen Plan; advantage of the offensive

Imperialism?

First Image: Individuals

Incompetent leadership?– Franz Josef – “tired old man”

– Nicholas II – domestic isolation, incompetent ministers

– Kaiser William II – “neurotic,” sense of inferiority

Could the war be averted by more capable leadership?

What did realist, liberal, and constructivist approaches add to understanding WWI?

Which Factors Do You Consider Most Significant in Explaining WWI?

Alliance system Public opinion Economic considerations Military doctrine Leadership Misperception Other