Realism and Liberalism Flashcards
What does realism argue about the likelihood of conflict?
✅ Unavoidable feature of global politics
✅ Sometimes necessary, both to defend vital national interests and to increase a state’s power and influence
What does realism think is crucial to defend and how is this done?
✅ Internal security + stability
✅ Through well-defended borders, and clear and enforced laws
What does realism argue about the threat of states?
✅ Every state is potentially a threat to other states
What does liberalism assume about the likelihood of conflict?
✅ Conflict is avoidable and efforts should be made to prevent and reduce conflict
What does liberalism argue about the role of IGOs?
✅ IGOs, such as the UN, offers a forum for conflict resolution `
Why does liberalism argue that the likelihood of conflict is low?
✅ States are bound together in deep economic cooperation (complex interdependence)
What is the liberal example of economic cooperation leading to limited conflict?
✅ The EU
✅ Prevent further conflict between France and Germany by making them depend on each other for the production of materials to make weapons.
What does realism argue about the interaction between powerful states and weaker states?
✅ Powerful states will always be able to overcome weaker states
What does realism argue about threats and the use of force and their role in global politics?
✅ Important types of hard power to possess and maximise, especially in a self-help system where no other actor can be guaranteed to protect a state’s security
What does realism argue about the primary goal of states?
✅ Primary goal of states is to increase their power
What does realism argue about creating stability?
✅ When power is shared equally between states it can create stability
✅ Balance of power
What does realism argue about soft power?
✅ States are aware of the limits of soft power, though they may use smart power to achieve their intended outcomes.
What does liberalism argue about the use of power?
✅ Use of power, particularly military, can often be counterproductive
✅ Security dilemma
What does liberalism argue about military power?
✅ Not the only form of significant power. Economic power and free-trade links can enable states to become richer, and also more stable and secure.
What does liberalism argue about what happens when states are more economically interdependent?
✅ As states become more economically interdependent, the risk of conflict decreases.
✅ Economic interdependence makes the entire global system more stable and peaceful
What does liberalism argue about soft and smart power?
✅ Soft power and smart power are important means by which states can achieve their intended outcomes.
✅ Should be the first option, with hard power used only as a last resort.
What does realism argue about states?
✅ Remain the primary and most powerful actors in global politics.
What does realism argue about a state’s sovereignty?
✅ Sovereignty is an absolute concept - it should not be violated, limited or given away, except in rare situations.
What situation is it okay for a state’s sovereignty to be infringed upon?
✅ Only if one’s own national interest requires it.
Example of when it’s okay for a state’s sovereignty to be infringed upon.
✅ USA’s unauthorised 2011 operation to assassinate Osama Bin Laden was argues as a justifiable incursion into Pakistan’s sovereign territory.
What does realism argue about states giving up sovereignty to IGOs?
✅ States should be wary of giving up too much sovereignty to IGOs
What does realism argue about powers of veto in IGOs?
✅ Useful means of protecting one’s national interests while retaining one’s ability to use the IGO as a forum for influencing other states towards one’s own desired outcomes.
What does liberalism argue about the role of states in global politics?
✅ States are important actors in global politics but they work within a complex web of interdependence and with other non-state actors, such as IGOs and NGOs.
What does liberalism argue about the role of sovereignty?
✅ Sovereignty exists to be used to a state’s advantage - this may mean pooling sovereignty with other states in an IGO, such as the EU.
What does liberalism argue about when it is okay for a state’s sovereignty to be infringed on?
✅ If it is necessary to uphold the values and interests of the international community
What is an example of a state’s sovereignty being infringed on when it is necessary?
✅ Doctrine of the UN Responsibility to Protect if human rights abuses are taking place. `
What does realism argue about IGOs’ roles and when they are useful?
✅ They are useful as a means of enhancing state power and sovereignty, and conducting business with other states, only if it is possible to get outcomes that are the same as a state’s national interest.
What does realism argue about when IGOs are not useful?
✅ Not useful, and are even dangerous, if it is not possible to achieve one’s national interest.
✅ very dangerous and undesirable if the IGO has powers to compel states to do things.
What does realism argue that states should be allowed to do so the IGO is not dangerous?
✅ Should be able to veto decisions that do not fit with their national interest.
What does liberalism argue about the role of IGOs in global politics?
✅ IGOs are a key part of establishing a world order governed by rules. They are the most powerful and authoritative source of international law.
What does liberalism argue about the IGOs in international law?
✅ They are the most powerful and authoritative source of international law.
✅ Likely to be the most comprehensive and even universal source of international law if IGOs have lots of members
What does liberalism argue about what IGOs offer states?
✅ Offer states a means of deepening economic integration and free trade for example through the EU and ASEAN
✅ Offer states the opportunity to work together and be more powerful than if they acted alone (e.g. NATO).
