Realism and Liberalism

Question 1

What does realism argue about the likelihood of conflict?

Answer 1

✅ Unavoidable feature of global politics

✅ Sometimes necessary, both to defend vital national interests and to increase a state’s power and influence

Question 2

What does realism think is crucial to defend and how is this done?

Answer 2

✅ Internal security + stability

✅ Through well-defended borders, and clear and enforced laws

Question 3

What does realism argue about the threat of states?

Answer 3

✅ Every state is potentially a threat to other states

Question 4

What does liberalism assume about the likelihood of conflict?

Answer 4

✅ Conflict is avoidable and efforts should be made to prevent and reduce conflict

Question 5

What does liberalism argue about the role of IGOs?

Answer 5

✅ IGOs, such as the UN, offers a forum for conflict resolution `

Question 6

Why does liberalism argue that the likelihood of conflict is low?

Answer 6

✅ States are bound together in deep economic cooperation (complex interdependence)

Question 7

What is the liberal example of economic cooperation leading to limited conflict?

Answer 7

✅ The EU
✅ Prevent further conflict between France and Germany by making them depend on each other for the production of materials to make weapons.

Question 8

What does realism argue about the interaction between powerful states and weaker states?

Answer 8

✅ Powerful states will always be able to overcome weaker states

Question 9

What does realism argue about threats and the use of force and their role in global politics?

Answer 9

✅ 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

Question 10

What does realism argue about the primary goal of states?

Answer 10

✅ Primary goal of states is to increase their power

Question 11

What does realism argue about creating stability?

Answer 11

✅ When power is shared equally between states it can create stability
✅ Balance of power

Question 12

What does realism argue about soft power?

Answer 12

✅ States are aware of the limits of soft power, though they may use smart power to achieve their intended outcomes.

Question 13

What does liberalism argue about the use of power?

Answer 13

✅ Use of power, particularly military, can often be counterproductive
✅ Security dilemma

Question 14

What does liberalism argue about military power?

Answer 14

✅ 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.

Question 15

What does liberalism argue about what happens when states are more economically interdependent?

Answer 15

✅ As states become more economically interdependent, the risk of conflict decreases.
✅ Economic interdependence makes the entire global system more stable and peaceful

Question 16

What does liberalism argue about soft and smart power?

Answer 16

✅ 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.

Question 17

What does realism argue about states?

Answer 17

✅ Remain the primary and most powerful actors in global politics.

Question 18

What does realism argue about a state’s sovereignty?

Answer 18

✅ Sovereignty is an absolute concept - it should not be violated, limited or given away, except in rare situations.

Question 19

What situation is it okay for a state’s sovereignty to be infringed upon?

Answer 19

✅ Only if one’s own national interest requires it.

Question 20

Example of when it’s okay for a state’s sovereignty to be infringed upon.

Answer 20

✅ USA’s unauthorised 2011 operation to assassinate Osama Bin Laden was argues as a justifiable incursion into Pakistan’s sovereign territory.

Question 21

What does realism argue about states giving up sovereignty to IGOs?

Answer 21

✅ States should be wary of giving up too much sovereignty to IGOs

Question 22

What does realism argue about powers of veto in IGOs?

Answer 22

✅ 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.

Question 23

What does liberalism argue about the role of states in global politics?

Answer 23

✅ 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.

Question 24

What does liberalism argue about the role of sovereignty?

Answer 24

✅ 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.

Question 25

What does liberalism argue about when it is okay for a state’s sovereignty to be infringed on?

Answer 25

✅ If it is necessary to uphold the values and interests of the international community

Question 26

What is an example of a state’s sovereignty being infringed on when it is necessary?

Answer 26

✅ Doctrine of the UN Responsibility to Protect if human rights abuses are taking place. `

Question 27

What does realism argue about IGOs’ roles and when they are useful?

Answer 27

✅ 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.

Question 28

What does realism argue about when IGOs are not useful?

Answer 28

✅ 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.

Question 29

What does realism argue that states should be allowed to do so the IGO is not dangerous?

Answer 29

✅ Should be able to veto decisions that do not fit with their national interest.

Question 30

What does liberalism argue about the role of IGOs in global politics?

Answer 30

✅ IGOs are a key part of establishing a world order governed by rules. They are the most powerful and authoritative source of international law.

Question 31

What does liberalism argue about the IGOs in international law?

Answer 31

✅ 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

Question 32

What does liberalism argue about what IGOs offer states?

Answer 32

✅ 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).