Political Theories Flashcards
Offensive Realism
In it’s simplest form the theory maintains that the basic structure of international systems forces states concerned about security to compete with each other for power. The ultimate goal is to gain more power.
The theory makes five assumptions: states are key actors in international politics (there is no higher authority above them and thus the system is anarchic instead of hierarchic), all states of offensive military capabilities (though some have more than others), States do not know or cannot predict the intentions of other states, states rank survival as their utmost priority and states are assumed to be rational actors.
The more powerful a state is relative to it’s competitors, the less its survival will be at risk. For example who would dare attack the United States in the Western Hemisphere, it is the most powerful nation in the world
Defensive realism
Developed by Kenneth Waltz, it does not deny the reality of interstate as stated in offensive realism nor does it denies the incentives to expansion, it contends that the incentives are sporadic (rare) rather than endemic (Regularly). Defensive neorealism asserts that aggressive expansion as promoted by offensive neorealists upsets the tendency of states to conform to the balance of power theory, thereby decreasing the primary objective of the state, which they argue is ensuring its security.
The Four points of Defensive Realism
1) Attempts to achieve hegemony like the united states are self-defeating and can leave the state weaker and less secure because it provokes counterbalancing behavior and will eventually meet resistance
2) Conquest rarely pays
3) States are more secure than individuals which makes power harder to shift
4) States can signal their intentions
Gellner’s Theory of Nationalism
Gellner believes that nationalism strives for one culture or ethnicity under one roof, or ‘state’. For Gellner, this is the most important principle of successful states. He argues that the worst case is when the ruler of a state is not a member of the ethnic majority within the boundaries of the state. In this case, Gellner states that nationalism will inevitably occur because members of the ‘nation’ will want to strive for advancement by attempting to gain control of the state. This he argues is all a result of modernization. In
particular, he focused on the unifying and culturally homogenizing roles of the educational systems, national labor markets and improved communication and mobility in the context of urbanization. He thus argued that nationalism was highly compatible with industrialization and served the purpose of replacing the ideological void left by both the disappearance of the prior agrarian society culture and the political and economical system of feudalism.
Structural Power
The ability to shape the frameworks within which global actors relate to one another, thus affecting “how things shall be done”. (Master and Slave can be an example)
Positivism
A philosophical system recognizing only that which can be scientifically verified or which is capable of logical or mathematical proof, and therefore rejecting metaphysics and theism (belief in a god). The theory that laws and their operation derive validity from the fact of having been enacted by authority or of deriving logically from existing decisions, rather than from any moral considerations (e.g. that a rule is unjust). Contrast with ‘universalism.’
Universalism
A universal feature or characteristic - something that everyone has or should have access to in equal parts. In terms of human rights, the principle that rights should be equally applicable to all people or countries, and do not vary according to local cultures or religious beliefs.
Relativism
Belief that different things are ‘true’ or ‘right’ for different people or at different times. In human rights, cultural relativism refers to the theory that ideas and norms should reflect cultural practices and traditions rather than universal principles.
Idealism
The theory asserts that reality is indistinguishable and inseparable from perception and understanding. Idealists generally suggest the priority of ideals, principles, values
and goals over concrete realities. Idealists are understood to represent the world as it might or should be, unlike realists, who focus on the world as it presently is. Wilson’s political idealism in establishing the League of Nations is often used as an example of idealism in practice.
Collective Security
The idea or practice of common defence, “all for one and one for all”. A number of states pledge to defend each other like NATO
