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Comparative Theories > Realism and Liberalism > Flashcards

Realism and Liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

General Ideas of Realism

A 
Selfish human nature leads to selfish states 
States are rational 
States are unitary actors 
States are amoral 
States seek power
International anarchy
Inevitability of war 
Security Dilemma
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2
Q

What is the state system?

A

Westphalian State System - 1648
States enjoy sovereign jurisdiction
Acceptance of the independence of states

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3
Q

What defines a state?

A

Defined territory
Permanent Population
Effective Government
Capacity to enter into relations

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4
Q

Realism and Human Nature

A

Selfish human nature is reflected in states
Cause of conflict
Humans are fundamentally self-centred and seek to pursue their own interests
States seek to pursue the national interest
Prisoners Dilemma - never know a person’s intentions which means cooperation is bad

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5
Q

States as Rational?

A

Cost v benefits analysis
States act according to their interests
Serve them best

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6
Q

States are Unitary?

A

No division of opinion in state’s interest
Culture and nature of the regime affects interests
Fixed
States seek to increase their power

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7
Q

States are Amoral?

A

States do not act according to the concepts of justice, rights or religious morality
Relations not guided by universal principles
States act ruthlessly - Machiavelli

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8
Q

States seek power?

A 
Security Dilemma 
States motivated by the pursuit of this 
More power = more protection 
Power is a finite resource 
States compete with one another for military and economic power 
Hegemonic Power Seeking
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9
Q

What is the anarchical society? International Anarchy

A

World system is leaderless
States cannot be held to account for their actions or punished if they overstep a boundary
States are the primary actors
Some claim selfish human nature may cause states to act selfishly

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10
Q

Realism and war as inevitable

A

Security dilemma poses a threat to world peace.
People are selfish and there is bound to be disagreements
Lack of adherence to any moral principles

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11
Q

What is the Security Dilemma?

A

Actions of one state to increase their power and security will cause another state to act in the same way
Competitive struggle for power and a balance is never/ rarely met
Selfish desire = conflict

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12
Q

What is the Billard Ball Model?

A

Dominated 1950s
States are balls that collide with one another and are all different sizes
Sovereignty is the outer shell which enables it to influence and withstand collision
States are impermeable and self-contained units which influence one another through external pressure

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13
Q

What are some criticisms of realism?

A

Too much focus on states
Encourages immoral behaviour
Champions a fixed view of human nature which is pessimistic
Too complex to contain international relations in one theory

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14
Q

Why did Liberalism come about?

A

Some things could not be explained by realism

There has been a decline in conflict and a rise in democracy

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15
Q

General Ideas of Liberalism

A 
Optimistic view of human nature - not fixed 
Humans/States seek to cooperate 
Altruistic and selflessness 
There are other non-state actors
War as a last option 
Complex interdependence
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16
Q

What is the society of states?

A

Theory that states of the world can be members of a society, despite the anarchical nature of the international system.
Hedley Bull - states become aware of a shared set of interests and values and so develop institutions and a set of rules, norms and values by which they agree to be bound

17
Q

Liberalism and the significance of morality

A

Optimistic view of human nature

Rousseau uses the Stag Hunt scenario to illustrate how humans are naturally altruistic

18
Q

Liberalism and Human Nature

A

Optimistic
Capable of selfless concern for others
Altruistic
Seek to cooperate

19
Q

Liberalism and harmony and balance

A

States can act selflessly
Reject unitary actors
States’ interests reflect the plurality of interests in a state - this can change
Argue that constitutional and political organisations of a state can affect its behaviour towards other states
International system is characterised by cooperation

20
Q

What is complex interdependence?

A

Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye
States and their fortunes are inextricably linked economically, politically, militarily and culturally
David Ricardo - states rely on one another for foods and trade

21
Q

What is the Cobweb Model?

A

States are interdependent on one another to survive and have vital relationships with one another that need preserved through cooperation

22
Q

Impact on the growth of intergovernmental organisations

A

Liberals - decline in the state as an actor in the system
United Nations taking a leading role in the fight against climate change
Optimistic about the prospects of cooperation

23
Q

Kenneth Waltz

Realist

A

Theory of International Politics
Defensive realist
Bi-polarity to be more stable than multipolarity
Two major powers can negotiate their way to stability more easily
State system is a system of anarchy

24
Q

Hedley Bull

Realist

A

The Anarchical Society

Identified the idea of the anarchical society within which a society of states exists

25
Q

Hans Morgenthau

Realist

A

Politics Among Nations
Classical Realist
Man is naturally selfish and will try to dominate - like a state
Trying to achieve a hegemony

26
Q

Robert Keohane

Liberalism

A

After Hegemony
Complex interdependence idea
Challenges the idea of a rejection of international cooperation - argues cooperation is more rational
International law and institutions try to persuade and enable states to reach shared solutions

27
Q

Francis Fukuyama

Liberalism

A

The End of History and the Last Man

Liberal democracy would become the undisputed form of human government

28
Q

Kennichi Ohmae

Liberalism

A

The End of the Nation State

Globalisation has brought about deep shifts that have dramatic implications on state sovereignty

29
Q

2003 Iraq War

A

Realism at play
USA brought about action despite condemnation from the UN or a mandate to do so - it was their national interest
UK’s Chilcot Inquiry concluded in 2016 that the case was for war was unjustified and Saddam’s regime did not pose an imminent threat

30
Q

2014 Annexation of Crimea

A

Russian backed military invaded the Crimea region in Ukraine and declared it independent
Russia acting in their best interests
Security Dilemma as the USA offered aid to Ukraine

31
Q

Realist View of the State and Globalisation

A

Sceptical about the extent of globalisation - impact has been exaggerated
States continue to be the most important actor internationally
States have promoted globalisation in their own interests - USA created the Bretton Woods Institutions
Greater independence will lead to mutual vulnerability

32
Q

Liberals View of the State and Globalisation

A

Globalisation is leading to the declining importance of the state as an international actor and the rise of intergovernmental organisations
Everyone wins in globalisation
Economic interdependence spreads ideas and values such as human rights and democracy
Globalisation promotes interdependence

33
Q

Realist View on Global Governance

A

Sceptical about the ability of international organisations to deliver system of global governance as they are weak and ineffective
States will not cooperate as they are seeking power
IGOs and their growth is undesirable as they undermine state sovereignty
States can use IGOs to further their national interests

34
Q

Liberals View on Global Governance

A

Advocate for global governance through international organisations as a way of promoting peace and cooperation
Cooperate as it is in their interests to do so
IGOs promote complex interdependence by implementing rules and standards

35
Q

Realists View on Power

A

Unipolar system is the better form as the hegemony can dominate and act as the world’s police officer
Foster economic stability
Ability to set ground rules

36
Q

Liberals View on Power

A

Bipolarity causes tensions and insecurity
Unipolarity promotes megalomania
Multipolar systems are characterised by a tendency towards multilateralism - greater co-operation and integration

Comparative Theories (1 decks)

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