Realism and Liberalism as the natural starting point in analysis Flashcards
Idealism/liberalism
Kantian pillars, joint democracy, economic interdependence and international organisations, without this realism will prevail.
Democratic peace theory
Trade fosters interdependence and trust and therefore less conflict
International law and international governmental organizations are key.
Example of success of international institutions
UNSC reacted to Iraq invasion of Kuwait and pushed Iraq out of Kuwait. US led coalition air and ground war plus economic sanctions ended with Iraqi defeat adnd retreat from kuqait in 1991.
Norman Angell
Nations fight for economic benefits, if we have economic integration than this would make war detrimental for all sides and therefore too expensive.
Clear idea that the only viable way to gain peace was liberal international institutions that can deal with legal issues between states and avoid conflict.
Ivan Bloch
He wrote that technological advancements make war too dangerous.
Classical realist
E.H Carr, Worked for the United Kingdom delegation in the league of nations after WW1 and in Versailles
He wrote that international tensions can be reduced to struggle between have and have not. Ethics and morality are the result of political practise and position within the international system, international law was part of the realm of the have.
International law is subordinate to the interests of the most powerful states, he critiqued the idea of utopian universalism and the appeal for the creation of new utopia.
Throughout the 1930s and within the book was a very outspoken supporter of appeasement before WW2, he believed it was unwise to enter a war with them and appeasement with lead to peace and a peaceful relationship.
Realists in America
Hans Morganthau
-There are only two ways to create a peaceful world.
- A balance of power, any situation in which a rough equality exists between the major states in the international system at a given moment in time.
- Prudence, measure interests against means, compromise on what is not vital.
4 fundemental rules of diplomacy
Diplomacy must be diverted of a crusading spirit, only national interest not a crusade for the common good
Foreign policy objectives must be defined in terns of the national interest and must be supported with adequate power.
-Diplomacy must look at the political context from the perspective of other nations
-Nations must be willing to compromise on all issues that are not vital.
Neorealism
Kenneth Walz 1929 aimed to reboot realism, he moved on from foundations in human nature, and towards structural realism associated with the international system. Nation states or units could co-act in a anarchial environment.
The structure of the global system, means there is no higher power, everyone is worried about their safety and living, it is not centred on human nature, the world set up provokes states to fight with each other
Classical realism struggled to explain working together as part of IR, Behaviouralist is also important, it placed more importance on actions that can be measured unlike realism focus on human nature.
Joseph Nye
Joseph Nye wished to emphasise the effects of transnational relations on the interstate system, in areas of sovereignty and foreign policy, liberalism accepted a anarchial system and state egoism whilst realism began to accept the former.
Neorealism is sceptical of cooperation, neoliberalism argues that cooperation is feasible and sustainable.
How do realists differ
Human nature vs anarchy
Political theory vs international theory
Understanding of science
Historical context of realism
‘The first way to win a state is to be skilled in the art of war’ Machiavelli. Self interest, power projection and conflict.
Thomas Hobbes Leviathan suggests hegemonic power is required to impose order, ensuring mans survival and security and protect him from his state of nature.
Four great IR debates
Utopian liberalism v realism
Classical theory vs behaviourism
Neorealism vs neoliberalism
Finally (Epistemology) Positivist/Scientific approaches vs the post positivist alternatives
Ukraine and failures of liberalism
Masala 2022 criticises western states and their failed liberal illusions to establish a peaceful democratic world order.
Failures of the west
Mersheimer argues that wester advancement into Eastern europe have forced Russia to react. For him Putins response is a example of ‘defensive’ and not ‘offensive’ neo realism.
Stoping Ukraine joining NATO was in Russias interest to invade
