Global Politics: Realism And Liberalism

Question 1

Realism background

Answer 1

• People are essentially selfish and competitive, egoism is the defining characteristic of human nature.
• pessimistic view when it comes to global politics.

Question 2

Selfish humans & states

Answer 2

• States are ruled by self-centered humans; therefore, they will seek their own national interests.
• State nature reflects human nature.
• States cannot trust others to work in their interests.
• states should expect betrayal.
• his leads to conflict as states cannot trust others to side with them.

Question 3

States are:

Answer 3

• Rational: states will only make international relations if the benefits outweigh the potential costs.
• Amoral: justice and human rights play a minimal role in international relations. A state should achieve the aims it seeks, no matter the method of achieving them.
• Power-seeking: states seek economic and military power. This gives them security and protection

Question 4

Security Dilemma

Answer 4

In global politics, there are two main power balances:

Imbalance of power: a minority of states, hold the majority of power in the international community. risk of conflict if this power goes unchecked.

Balance of power: harmony as no single state is more powerful than a group of others.

In an imbalance of power, states look to increase their national security, which leads to other states doing the same for their own protection. This creates a cycle by which states increase their military and security resources, which risks increased conflict.

Question 5

International Anarchy

Answer 5

• if states are the highest power in international politics, and there is no global government to keep states in check, then the international community is anarchical.

Question 6

Billiard ball model:

Answer 6

when states come together, instead of building a link they will bounce off each other (conflict), which pushes them further apart.

Question 7

Key realist thinkers

Answer 7

• Hans Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations (1948)
• John Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)

Question 8

Hans Morgenthau

Answer 8

• classical realist thinker.
• Political man is a naturally selfish creature and will always try to dominate and have power over others.
• Moral considerations in global politics are less important than the national interest.

Question 9

John Mearsheimer

Answer 9

• conflict and competition for power between the great world powers will continue.
• States are trying to secure hegemony, meaning they want to dominate all other states within a region.

Question 10

Liberalism view on human nature

Answer 10

• Individuals are altruistic and capable of a selfless concern for others.

Question 11

Liberal view on Harmony & Balance

Answer 11

• if people are altruistic and selfless, states also act selflessly.
• states can choose to be aggressive or co-operative. Conflict is not inevitable.
• harmony could result from the creation of international organizations.

Question 12

Liberal view on Complex Interdependence

Answer 12

• States are inextricably tied together.
• Relationships between states are increasing; conflict is decreasing.
• States increasingly prioritizing trade over war, leading to a decline in the use of military force

Question 13

Liberal view on global governance

Answer 13

• The willingness of states to co-operate allows for the creation of global governance
• A number of non-state actors are highly influential in international relations.

Religious groups: ISIS
Social movements: Extinction Rebellion
Businesses: Amazon

Question 14

Key liberal Thinkers

Answer 14

• Woodrow Wilson
• Robert Keohane

Question 15

Robert Keohane

Answer 15

• International relations and global politics should no longer been seen as just between states.
• emergence of other non-state actors mean that states’ prevalence in international politics is decreasing.