Realism And Liberalism

Question 1

Briefly what are the three key beliefs of realism

Answer 1

• Nation states are the Central actors in global politics
• nation states can participate in international irgans of global governance
• respect for state sovereignty provides the basis for global peace and stability

Question 2

Briefly what are the three key beliefs of liberalism

Answer 2

• liberals argue that nation states should cooperate with each other and with non-state actors
• liberals believe that egoism econcourages aggression, so nation states should be prepared to sacrifice sovereignty
• if crime against humanity, war crimes and genocide are taking place within a sovereign states then there is a more obligation for outside powers to act

Question 3

What is liberalism

Answer 3

When states can cooperate effectively with each other and non-state actors to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

Question 4

What is realism

Answer 4

The principle that nation states are the main actors in global politics

Question 5

What did Emmanuel Kant argue

Answer 5

Liberalism
‘Perpetual peace’(1795) was achievable if state met certain criteria
- democratic governance - conflict between decmocries is rare as they are more stable and less corrupt
- commit to international law/instuitons - a rule based system is fairer and IGOs can act to resolve disputes
- economic interdependence - states that work together and rely on one another benefit from mutual success and will seek to avoid conflict

Question 6

What is harmony of interest and what does it support

Answer 6

Liberalism
- States have competing interests but with a larger framework of harmony - e.g. common interest in peace and wealth
- states to advantages to cooperate as it will to lead to absolute benefits for all

Question 7

What is classical realism and who founded it

Answer 7

A theory that looks to human nature as the root cause in explaining the behaviour of states in international system - the goal of every state/individaul is to become more powerful.
Hans morgenthau

Question 8

What is structural realism and who founded it

Answer 8

A theory that looks at the structure of international system as the root cause in explaining behviour off states and international system in anarchical so states must accumulate power to survive
Kennith waltz

Question 9

What is offensive realism

Answer 9

A theory that argues that as a result if the international system being anarchical states are inclined to behave as power maximises - ‘ in the an arnarchic world of international politics, it is better to be Godzilla than Bambi’
John mearsheimer

Question 10

What is defensive realism and who founded it

Answer 10

A theory that argues that as a result of the international system being anarchical states are inclined to behave as security - makers
Stephen Walt