Extra Cards Flashcards
First Image:
This image focuses on individuals as the primary actors in international relations. According to this image, the behavior of nations is driven by the behavior of individuals, such as political leaders.
Who made the images
Kenneth Waltz’s three images are different levels of analysis in international relations. These images, or levels, can be used to explain the behavior of nations.
Waltz is a structural realist
Second Image:
This image focuses on the internal organization of states, including their domestic politics, culture, and economic systems. This image suggests that differences in the internal characteristics of states lead to different foreign policy behaviors.
Third Image:
This image focuses on the international system, which is characterized by anarchy (the lack of a central authority to govern relations between states). This image emphasizes the distribution of power in the international system and the constraints that anarchy imposes on state behavior.
Examples of Image 1
Focusing on individuals, the sources examine five case studies where personalities of leaders significantly shaped international relations. This includes:
Otto von Bismarck and the unification of Germany: Bismarck’s ambition and cunning helped unify Germany in the 19th century. He manipulated events to provoke wars that ultimately served Prussian interests, leading to the creation of a unified German state.
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Wilhelm II and the road to World War I: Wilhelm II’s volatile personality and aggressive foreign policy contributed to the tensions that led to the First World War. His belief in German power and desire for expansion alienated other European powers and increased the likelihood of conflict.
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Woodrow Wilson and the Treaty of Versailles: Wilson’s idealism and determination to create a lasting peace shaped the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I. However, his failure to compromise with the other Allied powers and his insistence on the League of Nations ultimately undermined the treaty’s effectiveness and contributed to the rise of fascism in Europe.
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Saddam Hussein’s Iraq: Saddam’s brutality and paranoia shaped Iraq’s foreign policy, including the invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Gulf War. His regime’s repression of its own people and its aggressive stance toward its neighbors led to international isolation and ultimately to war.
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Syria under Hafez al-Assad: Assad’s cunning and ruthlessness allowed him to consolidate power in Syria and to pursue a foreign policy aimed at enhancing Syrian influence in the Middle East. He skillfully exploited regional conflicts and the rivalry between the superpowers to advance Syrian interests.
Examples of Image 2
The sources explore how domestic political structures and processes affect international behavior. Some hypothetical examples of this include:
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A democratic state with a strong pacifist movement might be less likely to initiate war than a state with a more militaristic culture. Public opinion and the influence of anti-war groups can constrain leaders and limit their freedom of action in foreign policy.
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States with weak or corrupt governments might be more vulnerable to external pressure or intervention. Internal instability and lack of effective governance can invite interference from other states seeking to exploit these weaknesses.
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States with closed economies might be less willing to cooperate in international trade agreements. Protectionist policies and a focus on self-sufficiency can limit economic interdependence and reduce the incentives for international cooperation.
Examples of Image 3
The sources explain how anarchy, the distribution of power, and the structure of the international system drive state behavior. Some examples of this are:
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The Cold War: The bipolar structure of the international system, with the United States and the Soviet Union as the two dominant powers, shaped international relations for decades. The rivalry between these superpowers led to a global arms race, proxy wars, and the formation of alliances.
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The Security Dilemma: In an anarchic system, states are uncertain about the intentions of others and must take steps to protect themselves. However, these steps can be perceived as threatening by other states, leading to a spiral of insecurity and potentially to conflict. This dilemma highlights the challenges of cooperation and the potential for conflict in an anarchic system.
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Balance of Power: States often form alliances to counterbalance the power of other states or groups of states. The formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War are examples of alliances created to maintain a balance of power and prevent any single state from dominating the international system.
Realist Thinkers
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Kenneth Waltz is a prominent (Defensive) neorealist thinker who emphasizes the impact of the international system’s anarchic structure on state behavior. He argues that the distribution of power in the system is the primary factor shaping international outcomes.
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Hans Morgenthau is a classical realist who believes that states are rational actors that pursue their national interests, defined in terms of power.
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John Mearsheimer is another prominent realist thinker (Offensive) , associated with offensive realism, which posits that states constantly seek to maximize their power to ensure survival in the anarchic international system.
Liberalism thinkers
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Andrew Moravcsik is a liberal thinker who emphasizes the role of domestic politics and state preferences in shaping international relations.
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Immanuel Kant is considered a foundational thinker for liberalism. His work emphasizes the potential for peace and cooperation among states through the establishment of republican governments and international institutions.
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Adam Smith is considered a key figure in liberal thought, particularly in relation to commercial liberalism. He argues that free trade and economic interdependence can promote peace and prosperity among nations.
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John Stuart Mill is another prominent liberal thinker who advocates for individual liberty, representative government, and international cooperation.
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John Hobson is known for his critique of imperialism and his arguments that capitalism’s pursuit of profit can lead to war and conflict.
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Woodrow Wilson is a liberal thinker known for his idealism and his Fourteen Points, which emphasized self-determination, open diplomacy, and the establishment of the League of Nations.
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John Maynard Keynes is known for his work on economics, particularly his advocacy for government intervention in the economy to manage demand and promote economic growth. His ideas have influenced liberal thought on international economic cooperation.
Constructivism thinkers
Nina Tannenwald is a constructivist scholar known for her work on the nuclear taboo, arguing that the norm against the use of nuclear weapons has developed through a process of social construction.
Wendt - anarchy is what states make of it
