Lecture 4 Flashcards
Interests of the state definition
The goals that states pursue to maximize what they perceive to be selfishly best for their country
What are the Interests of the state
- Survival
- Economic prosperity
- culture/values
- Secure world order
How can we categorise the Interests of the State
Survival
—-A threat of imminent attack upon the homeland. If unfulfilled, it will result in immediate, massive destruction of one or more of the cora national interests
Vital
—-A dangerous threat to the national well being. In unfulfilled, will have immediate consequences for core nations interests
Important
—-Serious challenges abroad to US interests. If unfulfilled, will result in damage that will eventually affect core national interests
Peripheral
—-Not serious, but still bothersome issues. If unfulfilled, it will result in damage that is….
What is a theory?
Help us make sense of a complex world
—Theory cannot equip the mind with formulas for solving problems, nor can it mark the narrow path on which the sole solution is supposed to lie by planting a hedge of principles on either side. But it can give the mind insight into the great mass of phenomena and of their relationships, then leave it free to rise into the higher realms of action
IR Theories help us to…
-Explain state behavior
-Apply key concepts to explain the interaction of states in the international political system
—Anarchy
—Sovereignty
—Power
-Levels of Analysis- Individual, State, System
What is Realism?
paradigm based on the premise that world politics is essentially and unchangeably a struggle among self-interested states for power and position under anarchy, with each competing state pursuing its own national interests.
John Mearsheimer, U of Chicago
Mearsheimer is best known for developing the theory of offensive realism, which describes the interaction between great powers as being primarily driven by the rational desire to achieve regional hegemony in an anarchic international system
—believes that China’s growing power will likely bring it into conflict with the United States.
What is the Realist Worldview?
- Views states as most important actor
- Primary goal is national interest
- Repetitive struggle for power
- Security dilemma → perpetuates self-help
- Stability maintained with a balance of power
- Cooperation is difficult
Self-help
principle that, because in international anarchy all global actors are independent, they must rely on themselves to provide for their security and well-being.
Relative gains
conditions in which some participants in cooperative interactions benefit more than others
National interest
goals that states pursue to maximize what they perceive to be selfishly best for their country.
Security dilemma
tendency of states to view the defensive arming of adversaries as threatening, causing them to arm. In response to that, all states’ security declines.
Balance of power
theory that peace and stability are most likely to be maintained when military power is distributed to prevent a single superpower hegemony or bloc from controlling the world.
Realisms Connections
Anarchy & Rational States → Existential Threat → Pursuit of Security and National Interests → Competition for Pow → Security Dilemma → Balance of Power (Stability or Hegemony)
Hegemony (US after Cold War)
- One overwhelmingly powerful state
- Stable, but unlikely
- Smaller states may try to balance against
