Importance of International Organisations/International System Flashcards
REALISM
How do Liberals and Realists agree?
REALISM
There is no world government
but there is some significant world governance with international organisations (UN, EU, G20)
REALISM
Why do Realists disagree that international organisations aren’t as significant as liberals argue?
REALISM
they argue that states will do these to international organisations:
1. ignore them and live in a (‘state of nature’) anarchy
2. utilise them for their own benefit
REALISM
What is international relations inevitably characterised by?
REALISM
power politics
REALISM
What ensures the international system is anarchical?
REALISM
state sovereignty
REALISM
What assumptions does power politics rely on?
REALISM
- sanctity of national sovereignty
- lack of world government or police
this means states can act can they please
REALISM
What do hegemonies and dominant states do to international organisations?
REALISM
exercise control over other states and utilise them for own benefit
REALISM
Are international organisations integral?
REALISM
Not really, they cannot act independently of states
They are also ineffective and used for self gains
REALISM
Can we rely on international organisations?
REALISM
No, international courts and concepts will be ignored of influenced by powerful states
REALISM
Should there be world government or higher authority?
REALISM
No
REALISM
What was Han Morganthau’s view of international politics?
REALISM
he was particularly dismissive of Liberal belief in internationalism and natural harmony
international politics is conducted in a ‘state of nature’ and is thus characterised by anarchy
REALISM
What does atmosphere does the international system create?
And what does this mean for states?
REALISM
atmosphere of mutual fear, suspicion and hostility
means they are forced to rely on self-help to achieve security
REALISM
Does international law and community ensure security (and, therefore, survival)?
REALISM
No
REALISM
What does the atmosphere of fear and insecurity create a tendency towards?
REALISM
conflict and competition
REALISM
What are states preoccupied with above all else?
REALISM
military security
REALISM
What is the atmosphere of fear also fuelled by?
REALISM
the security dilemma
REALISM
What is the security dilemma?
REALISM
a situation in which one state’s effort to increase its own security makes other states feel less secure with the unintended consequence of greater insecurity for all
-uncertain about motives
defensive moves can be -interpreted as aggressive
-outcome is permanent insecurity
REALISM
Why do realists give such emphasis on role of power in international affairs?
REALISM
because they are forced to help themselves and give priority to its own national interest
state survival and territorial defence
they also understand power in terms of military power
REALISM
Why does the international system have a hierarchy of states that imposes a measure of order?
REALISM
international order is not a classic ‘state of nature’ as power, wealth and resources are not equally distributed
REALISM
According to neo-realists, how does state sovereignty lead to self -help?
REALISM
- state is highest actor on world stage
- therefore the international state is anarchical
- as a result states must rely on self help
REALISM
Why do realists believe the international system is anarchic?
REALISM
- no central authority
- no world police force
- state sovereignty
REALISM
What are the effects of the anarchical international system?
REALISM
- states are insecure and need to survive
- they have no one to rely on but themselves (self help system)
- difficult to trust and establish relationships
REALISM
What are some ways states could self-help?
REALISM
- formalise relationships with other countries to keep themselves safe (marriage of convenience)
- boost military power (exacerbating security dilemma)
LIBERALISM
Why do liberals believe that the international system is more significant than realists say?
LIBERALISM
- cooperation as human nature is rational and therefore states will cooperate
- states can sometimes accept the primacy of states as they understand this can improve our own interests and work in a mutually beneficial relationship between states that avoids war
LIBERALISM
What is the international system underpinned by?
LIBERALISM
Underpinned by internationalism: the belief that human affairs should be organised according to universal, and not merely national, principles
LIBERALISM
What do they use to prove that the system is underpinned by internationalism?
LIBERALISM
point to fact that the overwhelming majority of transactions between states are peaceful
it is for the mutual benefit of the states involved
LIBERALISM
What have liberals traditionally accepted?
But what have they also, contrarily, stressed?
LIBERALISM
traditionally accepted the nation as the principal unit of political organisation
but also stressed importance of interdependence and free trade between nations
LIBERALISM
Why do they disagree with the realist view that international organisations will be used for only the state’s benefit?
LIBERALISM
-international, regional and other intergovernmental organisations are constantly growing in number and significance
-American hegemony is also declining and international organisations are going strong
LIBERALISM
What do they advertise a faith in?
LIBERALISM
collective security
international law
LIBERALISM
Is the international system hopelessly anarchic?
LIBERALISM
can be mitigated by cooperation
LIBERALISM
What is increasingly likely in international relations?
LIBERALISM
cooperation
stability
harmony
LIBERALISM
Why do Liberals have faith in international organisations?
LIBERALISM
-acknowledge growth of international/regional organisations and see it as a positive and even natural development
- needed to challenge global challenges (‘global problems require global solutions’)
- states will be willing to cooperate with other nations through intl orgs
- economic, environmental, security challenges require interdependence, this needs international coordination and cooperation
What synoptic link can be made when writing about Realism?
- CONSERVATISM - HUMAN NATURE
global anarchy is like state of nature as Thomas Hobbes presents in the view of conservatism
What synoptic link can be made when writing about Liberals?
- SOCIALISM - EQUALITY
you can see the inequality from capitalism in international organisations, small countries which do not have a say in economic organisations such as IMF or World Bank. This reflects inequality
