3-IR Theories Flashcards
What is a theory? What are the characteristics of a good theory?
o a collection of propositions to explain phenomena by specifying the relationships among a set of concepts, e.g., explanatory variable-> dependent variable (response variable)
o good theories are generalizable across time and space
o they are never absolute, i.e., new evidence or a better theory may be out there; however they are more or less supported/stronger or weaker
What is a hypothesis?
o a falsifiable statement about the proposed relationship among two or more concepts
o often made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation
What are international institutions?
o more than formal organizations
o sets of rules meant to govern int’l behavior, i.e., to forbid, require, or permit behaviors, e.g., treaties, conventions, and organizations
What is identity?
o a sense of self based on certain qualities and beliefs that serve to define a person or group
What are norms?
o norms are collectives expectations for the proper behavior of actions with a given identity, e.g., human rights
What are 6 characteristics of realism?
o Actors: states
o Individuals: insecure, selfish, power-seeking
o States: unitary actors, rational, power seeking
o System: states exists within an anarchic system which promotes self-help behavior and a focus on power and security; polarity/distribution of power constrains; states prefer sovereignty in a system at risk of war over peace under a absolute ruling state or leviathan
o Change: war can be managed, but not eliminated; force is an effective foreign policy tool
o Theorists: Thucydides, Saint Augustine, Hobbes, Morgenthau, Waltz, Gilpin, Mearsheimer
What is a rational actor?
o a rational actor makes decisions by weighing the costs and benefits of various options against the goal to be achieved
What is balancing?
o when states work together to offset the strength of powerful states
What is the difference between relative and absolute gains?
o absolute gain = a state gains more power for itself
o relative gain = a state gains more power compared to another state; can bolster a sense of internal security while making the other state feel less secure
What is a security dilemma?
o relative power gains for one state can make another state feel less secure, thus driving both sides to seek increasingly more power (John Hertz)
o security is a zero-sum game
What are the two types of balancing?
o internal balancing - a state builds its military resources to stand against more powerful states
o external balancing - a state allies with other states to offset the power of more powerful states
What is the difference between defensive realists and offensive realists?
o defensive - war rarely benefits the aggressor because of external balancing; states benefit from using power defensively, e.g., Iraq ‘90 invasion of Kuwait
o offensive -war can yield significant benefits for the aggressor; states benefit from using power offensively in the short (spoils) and long-run (reputation)
What is bandwagoning?
o states that might have opposed a threatening state choose to ally with it instead, e.g., Libya agreeing to give up nuclear weapons after US invasion of Iraq
What are 5 characteristics of neorealism?
o Key Actors: states
o Characteristics of Individuals: Insecure, selfish, power seeking; however, neorealists focus on the structure of the international system instead of human nature (classical realism)
o Characteristics of States: unitary actors, rational, power seeking
o Characteristics of Int’l System: anarchic; polarity/distribution of power constrains, e.g., uni-polar, bipolar, and multi-polar determine outcomes
o Beliefs About Change: peace unattainable
What are 5 characteristics of liberalism?
o Key Actors: states, NGOs, and IGOs
o Individuals: individuals are basically good and capable of cooperating
o States: states are rational; states’ internal characteristics & actors, common interests, and relationships matter
o System: interdependence among states and international order tempers the effects of anarchy
o Change: institutions enable cooperation and reduce the self-help imperative; peace possible
o Theorists: Montesquieu, Kant, Wilson, Keohane, Moravcsik
