Global Politics: Realism And Liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

Realism background

A
  • People are essentially selfish and competitive, egoism is the defining characteristic of human nature.
  • pessimistic view when it comes to global politics.
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2
Q

Selfish humans & states

A
  • 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.
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3
Q

States are:

A
  • 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
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4
Q

Security Dilemma

A

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.

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5
Q

International Anarchy

A
  • 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.
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6
Q

Billiard ball model:

A

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

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7
Q

Key realist thinkers

A
  • Hans Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations (1948)
  • John Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)
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8
Q

Hans Morgenthau

A
  • 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.
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9
Q

John Mearsheimer

A
  • 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.
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10
Q

Liberalism view on human nature

A
  • Individuals are altruistic and capable of a selfless concern for others.
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11
Q

Liberal view on Harmony & Balance

A
  • 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.
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12
Q

Liberal view on Complex Interdependence

A
  • 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
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13
Q

Liberal view on global governance

A
  • 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

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14
Q

Key liberal Thinkers

A
  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Robert Keohane
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15
Q

Robert Keohane

A
  • 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.
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16
Q
A