Global Questions

Question 1

Analyse how realists and liberals analyse the likelihood of conflict

Answer 1

Likelihood of conflict arises from views of power:
Realists emphasise the zero-sum game of global politics, as states compete for a finite amount of power — bipolarity of Cold War and how tensions arise
Liberals argue that power is unlimited, thus global politics is not a game of winners or losers — all states can gain power, evidenced by global governance IGOs

Likelihood arises from human nature:
Liberals hold a positive view of human nature, arguing its natural altruistic — Rousseau two hunters relates to how states work together
Realists view conflict as inevitable as HN is competitive and selfish — Hobbes ‘nasty, brutish and short’ and Machiavelli’s realpolitik — states strive to be superior

Likelihood arises from order and security:
Realists argue that international anarchy means states act with impunity and lack of trust leads to a security dilemma, eg arms race — inevitable that conflict arises
Liberals emphasise order in international relations with complex interdependence of states (globalisation), thus not desirable to go to war — Kant’s democratic peace theory

Question 2

Evaluate the extent to which the impact of globalisation has been exaggerated

Answer 2

Politics impact of globalisation:
Globalisation sceptics/realists argue that globalisation has had a limited impact of global politics — states are still principal actors and international institutions are vehicles for state interests, thus international system in still state-centric
However, hyperglobalisers argue that state sovereignty has been impacted by global governance — increase in non-state actors (130 start of 20th century to 6000 start of 21st) highlights the shift resulting from a decline in state sovereignty; the increase in IGOs supports a liberal view that states sovereignty is declining

Cultural impact of globalisation:
Sceptics reject the emergence of a monoculture through cultural homogenisation — globalisation does not eradicate cultural differences around the world — 3 main blocs: Europe, Asia Pacific and North America) as depicted by ideological position of Neo-liberal West and Islamic Middle East — clearly Westernisation and imperialism is overstated
However, hyperglobalisers accentuate the eradication of differences of cultures — inc in role of TNCs and emergence of tech to eliminate barriers of space and time, revolutionising speed of transferring info — spread of cultural values such as democracy and equality and consumerism exemplify extent of cultural homogenisation

Economic impact of globalisation:
Sceptics would argue that principal economic activity takes place within state borders — economic globalisation is only a means for the individual state to benefit economically
Hyperglobalisers argue that economic globalisation has caused interconnectedness such that the global economy can be seen as a single entity — introduction of the Breton Woods system entitled fixed ERs and encourages trader and economic stability, leading to economic growth throughout the West