Realism Vs Liberalism Flashcards
Liberalism: Central Problem and Solution
War / Solution: Establishment of peace
Liberalism: Human Nature
Good, Altruistic
Liberalism: Key Actors
States, Individuals, Institutions
Realism: Human Nature
Evil, Selfish
Realism: Central Problem and Solution
War / Solution: Security
Realism: Key Actors
States
Liberalism: Actor Motives
Mutual Assistance, Collaboration
Realism: Actor Motives
Power, National Security, Self-interest
Liberalism: Interests
Long-term, Collective
Realism: Interests
Short-term, individual
Liberalism: Nature of IR
Cooperation, Community
Realism: Nature of IR
Anarchy
Liberalism: Nature of Conflict
Irrational - exception not the norm
Realism: Nature of Conflict
Rational - norm not the exception
Liberalism: International Politics
Optimistic View, International Institutionsm, Cooperation
Realism: International Politics
Pessimistic View, Stability, States act to advance their own power and interests
Realism: Waltz 3 S’s
Statism, Security, Self Help
Realism: Thucydidean Trap
When a great power is theatened by an emerging power
Realism: Melian Dialogue
Hard power is the only effective power
Realism: Thinkers
Mearscheimer - Offensive
Waltz - Defensive
Machiavelle - Violent
Hobbes
Liberalism: Thinkers
Nye - Complex interdependence
Kant - Kantian Triangle
Keohane - Complex interdependence
Realism: Globalisation
Downplay Impact*
States are only relevant actors*
Sceptics*
Nothing new
Doesn’t necessarily mean Multipolarity is true
Liberalism: Globalisation
Work together to solve collective dilemmas*
Human nature is rational and collective*
Complex interdependence*
Believe in IGOs and TNCs
Transformationalists + Hyperglobalisers - Not Sceptics
Realism: Polarity
Want Unipolarity and Bipolarity - Specifically Bipolarity*
Want to be only relevant actors in world politics*
Thucydidean Trap*
State Egoism*
Night watchman needed*
No other actor has power or authority to limit behaviour of nation states
Prioritise own interests
Liberalism: Polarity
Want Unipolarity or Multipolarity*
Do not regard nation sate as main player in global politics*
Polycentric view*
Complex interdependence*
Human nature is rational and collective*
Rogue/failed states are a threat to liberals
Realism: State Sovereignty
State are the only relevant actors
Prioritise own interests
Paramount - dont give it away
Dont reduce hard power
Globalisation negative due to erosion of State Sovereignty
Liberalism: State Sovereignty
Dont regard nation state as main player*
Believe in institutions -sway over state*
Complex interdependence*
Human nature is rational and collective*
Polycentric view*
Still have importance but can be undone if state punshed people
Realism: Conflict
Inevitable inbuilt into global state*
Nations seek power*
Nations seek their own interests, instability is inherent in the system*
States cooperate only when its for their interest*
Linked to state security
Likely under unipolar order
Thucydidean trap
Neo realist - International anarchy
Classical - no word policeman
Hard power is paramount
State only relevant actors
Liberalism: Conflict
Minimise conflict and work together*
Shared endeavours*
Complex interdependence*
Believe in institutions*
Human Rights and other ideals reduce risk of conflict
Inevitable but avoidable
Realism: Power
Hard power trumps soft power - military*
State is only relevant actor*
States are power maximisers*
Power is zero sum
Power is capability - superpower exerts authority with no security issue
Liberalism: Power
Soft power*
Believe in strategic alliances*
Complex interdependence*
Believe in institutions*
Only hard power when essential for liberal society
Power not zero sum
Defensive Realists - Waltz
Nation states are influenced by need for security.
Nation states are security maximisers
Offensive Realists - Mearscheimer
Nation states are predatory
As power maximisers they seek influence as well as security
Kantian Triangle
Peace achieved through
Democratic peace theory - mutual respect for democracy
Economic interdependence
IGOs
