Approaches to the study of IR

Question 1

Origins of the study of IR

Answer 1

• study of IR begun around the WWI
• partly as a result of the failure of the Concert of Europe - emergence of Japan, China and USA as main centres of power, expected stability of CoE had not occurred (with emergence of WWI)
• with the rise of America and idealism as alternative to CoE, based on principle of equality regardless of geographic location

Question 2

What is a theory and what are the building blocks of it?

Answer 2

def.: an abstract set of thinking about how to understand reality

building blocks

• variables
• relationship: between actors
• underlying assumptions: what makes these actors act in a certain way

Question 3

Describe idealism

Answer 3

Underlying assumptions - based on idealism

• state as main unit of analysis - can clearly identify where they are
  
  • has control over instruments of violence and creation of conflict
  • holds loyalty of people
  • nature of state as good and peaceful
• collaboration possible
  
  • with assumption of humans as naturally good and able to collaborate applied to state structures
  • without knowledge deficit states are able to operate peacefully
• cause of war is lack of knowledge about the cost of not being peaceful
  
  • states engaged in WWI due to lack of knowledge of cost of conflict

Idealism phase policy decisions

League of Nations (1920)

• based in Geneva
• Wilson’s 14 points as basis
  
  • equal members of states in assembly
  • International Court of Justice: conduct arbitration between states
• provided forum for countries to engage with each other

Codification of international law

• to reduce ‘lack of knowledge’ - created clear definitions of behaviour causing aggressions

Mediation

• to reach a peaceful solution between states

Question 4

Describe realism

Answer 4

E H Carr - The Twenty Years’ Crisis

• to understand international politics have to move away from wishing (idealism) to reality
• this cannot be done without understanding the world - assumption of nature of states being ultimately good cannot be used - accept the way the world currently works
• prescriptions should be based on facts and not wishes - idealism does not allow for formulating policy options

Realist underlying assumptions

• state also main unit of analysis: as state has clearly defined boundaries, administrative network, control over instruments of violence and citizen loyalty
• nature of state: bad/evil due to Christian pessimism - people by nature are not good and hence so are states
• collaboration between states not possible
• maximisation of national interest as motivation of states’ actions
• balance of power: maintains peace in world
  
  • we cannot assume nature of states is good e.g. North Korea’s motivation is that of domination and ‘evil’

From a realist’s perspective, a knowledge of states’ interest, their capacity and the balance of power, predictions can be made about whether conflict or peace will occur.

What causes war? - imbalance of power

• inability of states to appreciate their limits
• war as a natural phenomenon due to states always attempting to maximise their power
• alliance as a form of preventing conflict and allowing weaker states to become stronger

Question 5

Describe neo-structural realism

Answer 5

Kenneth Waltz: Theory of International Relations (1979)

• the anarchical international system is mostly responsible for state conduct on the international scene i.e. the structure forces the state to behave in certain ways
• anarchical structure encourages conflict

Question 6

Describe liberal internationalism

Answer 6

Keohane and Nye: Power and Interdependence (1972)

• the end of the Cold War revealed limitations of neo-realism to explain changes within states and without
• collaboration is possible in a globalised world e.g. climate conference in Paris, agreement on nuclear weapons

Question 7

Describe marxism

Answer 7

• popularised at the start of WWII
• unit of analysis: economic classes as main actor in world politics, need to understand relationship between bourgeoisie and proletariat – shifted towards recognising state as actors also
• underlying assumption: economic underpinnings (who has resources, who can exploit resources, who is exploited) with political superstructures
• states continue to be the actor, rich states forming bourgeoisie
• world divided into
  
  • centre: interest of the bourgeoisie (rich states)
  • periphery of the international system: poor states
• relationship shaped by exploitation – the elite in rich countries establish good working relationships with the elite in the poorer countries (as they expect this will continue their rule) due to the need for resources
• marked by cross-state alliances between the rich at the centre and the periphery – both exploitative and collaborative
• system can only be changed via revolution
• despite the demise of the USSR, this approach has not ended

Question 8

Describe constructivism

Answer 8

• Onuf (1980s)
• Alexander Wendt (1990s): idea of agency and structure – constant revision of structures and norms
• core concepts: described as social theory of IR not substantive theory, a social construction of reality
  
  • structures: states and non-state actors emerging, every structure has agents
  • agents: ideas, norms and values originate here, significant when they bring their norms and values that are different to the structure they are a part of and encourage questioning of the structures’ principles, with a great enough cascade effect they can create a change in the structure – issues may not be identifiable at the start but through collaboration agents can restructure the structure
• core belief: international politics is shaped by persuasive ideas, collective values and social identities
• key actors: promoters of new ideas, transnational activism networks and non-governmental organisations – power of ideas
• main instruments: ideas and values
• does not explain which power structures and social conditions allow for changes in values, also why people are still attracted to religion and human rights violations persist (e.g. doesn’t explain why somethings don’t change)
• debate whether constructivism is a methodology or an approach