main ideas of liberalism

Question 1

What were some of the developments that realism couldn’t explain?

Answer 1

• the decline in conflict = number of deaths in battle had fallen to <10000 in 2006 compared to 600000 in 1951, nature of conflict has also changed
• the rise in democracy = in 2006 over half of all countries had become democracies, according to democratic peace theory, no two democracies have ever been at war with each other
• the growth in world trade = worldwide exports were $629 million in 1960 and $30 trillion in 2010, states are becoming interdependent, which reduces the potential for conflict
• the growth in the number of intergovernmental organisations = UN, EU, NATO, IMF

Question 2

What do liberals believe about humans?

Answer 2

• individuals are altruistic and capable of a selfless concern for others

Question 3

What is the Stag Hunt scenario?

Answer 3

• Two hunters track a large stag
• If they work together, they can kill the stag and both get a meal
• If they do not co-operate the stag will flee and they will both be hungry
• After a few hours a hare appears on the path
• If one hunter leaps out and kills the hare, he will eat but this will scare the stag off and the other hunter will starve
• There is no certainty the stag will arrive, whilst the hare is guaranteed

Question 4

What is the dilemma in the stag hunt scenario?

Answer 4

• if one hunter waits, he risks his fellow hunter killing the hare for himself, running the prospects of the stag being caught
• there is also the risk the stag will never come