comparative theories

Question 1

what is realism as a theory

Answer 1

state centric view which argues states operate in a system of international anarchy

Question 2

realists view on state

Answer 2

• selfish human nature means states are ruled by people who seek to act in their own interests (hobbes)
• rational- costs and benefits are weighted
• unitary actors- states’ interests is fixed to increase their power and security
• amoral- do not act to concepts of justice (machiavelli)
• seek power to become the hegemony which leads to security- economic and military

Question 3

what is the security dilemma

Answer 3

any actions by states to increase their security leads to another state responding similarly which builds tension

Question 4

what is international anarchy

Answer 4

states are principal actors so there is no higher power and they cannot be held account for their actions or punished

Question 5

implications of international anarchy

Answer 5

• states cannot rely on international organisations
• laws cannot be enforced on states
• powerful states will evade the justice of international courts
  -states can use their structural power to influence international organisations
• states can ignore UN, like countries going to war

Question 6

realism and inevitability of war

Answer 6

• selfish human nature and state’ desire for power means there is bound to be disagreement
• lack of adherence to morality and rules is bound to lead to misunderstandings and disharmony
• limited power in the world means all states pose a threat
• “always danger of war lurking in the background” (schweller)

Question 7

realism and security dilemma

Answer 7

• constant fight for security and power, which is presented as a threat to other states
• cuban missile crisis brought the USA and soviet union to the brink of warm which lead to signing of SALT and START
• NATO has been successful in maintaining harmony
• iraq war- shows need for power and security and acting in US’ own national interest by looking for weapons of mass destruction
• china can be seen as a rising threat- can either push for power or security

Question 8

define offensive realists

Answer 8

primary motivation is to acquire power

Question 9

define defensive realists

Answer 9

states prioritise security over power, where states are reluctant to go to war

Question 10

what is liberalism

Answer 10

desire to maximise freedoms and opportunities for individuals to grow

Question 11

events that led to liberalism

Answer 11

• decline in conflict and change from intrastate conflict to inter-state conflict
• rise in democracy
• growth in world trade where exports were worth $30 trillion in 2010, showing interdependence
• growth in IGOs like UN and NATO which try to keep peace between countries

Question 12

significance of human nature within liberalism

Answer 12

• locke sees humans as still self seeking which may lead to disputes and disagreements
• humans can live in harmony through discussion and negotiation
• unlikely to be war if humans/states can resolve their problems
• all humans should treat each other with respect- universal human rights

Question 13

possibility of harmony and balance within liberalism

Answer 13

• considers non state actors to be just as important (cobweb model) as a way of promoting cooperation
• democratic peace thesis- democratic states do not go to war with other democratic states as they are constrained by public opinion and built on principles of negotiation and compromise
• states’ interest reflect the views of the majority, which is usually guided by the people in charge- US withdrew from Vietnam after public discontent
• international peace making organisations

Question 14

what are neo-realists/structural realism

Answer 14

• focuses on anarchy
• systems theory explains state behaviour through structure of international system
• exogenous or outside-in theory, where states respond to outside factors

Question 15

what are classical realists

Answer 15

explains power through egoism

Question 16

complex interdependence of liberalism

Answer 16

• states are their fortunes are tied together
• trade promotes interdependence as economies rely on each other
• TNCs mean states are no longer separate and autonomous
• prioritisation of trade over war, leading to decline in conflict
• kantian triangle encapsulates the conditions needed in a modern world for liberalism to exist
  => democracy/republican government, federation of free states (international institutions) , universal hospitality (free trade)

Question 17

liberalism view in likelihood of global governance

Answer 17

• cooperation between states
• rising inference of non state actors like businesses, religious groups (catholic church) and social movements
• social contract theory- locke argues humans come together to form a limited government in order to escape injustices

Question 18

liberalism view on impact and growth of IGOs

Answer 18

• argues states have declining importance singularly as TNCs and IGOs develop
• UN promotes liberal ideas through its charter and aims to uphold values of international law, as well as take actions on issues like climate change
  => all states are sovereign and equal- all with one vote despite power and size

Question 19

define commercial/interdependence liberalism

Answer 19

• pro capitalism and free trade
• help maintain peace as economies are interconnected through trade

Question 20

define republican liberalism

Answer 20

• focus on democratic and human rights
• states should be democratic as they remain pacific , whereas authoritarian regimes are militaristic
• democratic peace thesis
• states are self seeking

Question 21

define liberal institutionalisation/ neoliberalism

Answer 21

• cooperation on an international scale through IOs
• domestic analogy states a sovereign power is needed to tame the state of nature