The English School

Question 1

Where did the English School get its name from?

Who were the leading figures?

Answer 1

associated with group of scholars in the UK during the 50s and 60s.
Martin Wight and Hebert Butterfield.

Question 2

What underpinned the English School?

Answer 2

idea of International society, we have anarchy but this doesn’t mean were have to have a competitive system. states can work together.

Question 3

Martin Wight’s Three IR Traditions,

What are three traditions (list them)

Answer 3

Realism, machiavelliana approach to IR.
Rationalism (Where English scholars would be; middle ground)
Revolutionism (classical liberals)

Question 4

Realists believe in anarchy, what does rationalists/ English school believe in?
What do classical liberals believe in?

Answer 4

Society (states can form an international society that is more civil and orderly than what realists would say, but still potential to conflict, violence)
Humanity

Question 5

Rationalists believe in evolutionary change, what about Realists ? What do classical liberals believe in?

Answer 5

Power politics, (self help, no obligation between states, only obligation is own national interest) classical liberals believe in revolutionary change.

Question 6

While Realists believe in conflict and warfare, what does English school believe in?
What do classical liberals believe in?

Answer 6

peaceful co existence (states can operate in accordance with international law and diplomatic practices, rule governed interaction) International society based on common rules/institutions and respect of international law.
Global community

Question 7

Realists believe in pessimism, pessimistic towards human nature, international life… while rationalists believe in?
classical liberals believe in?

Answer 7

hope without illusion

classical liberals believe in utopianism, (Kantian idea of perpetual peace) positive view of human nature

Question 8

What did Bull distinguish

Answer 8

International system from international society.

Question 9

Define international society?

Answer 9

a group of states existing when they are conscious of certain common interests and common values. Bound to set of rules, share in working of common/shared institutions

Question 10

Finish this sentence;

These norms, rules, institutions…

Answer 10

show the right way to act, the right conduct. this is what distinguishes system from society

Question 11

What are the primary goals of society that Bull sets out?

4

Answer 11

preservation of the society of states, independence of states, maintaining peace, upholding common goals of society life.

Question 12

What are Bulls five key institutions within International society?

Answer 12

Balance of power, Diplomacy, War, International Law, Great Powers.

Question 13

Why are Great powers a key institution within international society?

Answer 13

uphold international order, orchestrate top down stability for rest of the world through limited crises and preventing war, social role not just military.

Question 14

Who are the authors that first spoke about the expansion of International society?

Answer 14

Bull and Watson 1984; “The expansion of International Society:

Question 15

What did have prior to sovereign state system?

Answer 15

entirely different way of looking at states/ territories such as empires.

Question 16

Describe expansion? What was it initially?

Answer 16

Initially Europe International system, then through decolonisation, see gradual expansion of states becoming part of European norms and institutions (assimilated)

Question 17

The incorporation of non western states into international society was seen as peaceful/non peaceful?

Answer 17

Eurocentric point of view; European system incorporated peacefully non western states.

Question 18

Who came up with an update of the expansion and in what year?

Answer 18

Dunne and Reus Smith 2017

Contemporary update.

Question 19

What did Bull and Watson neglect?

Answer 19

neglect the domination and violence that often attended European international society’s engagement with non European people and waves of political struggle to dismantle europe’s empire and force the expansion of international society.

Question 20

Name five points about Pluralist society

Answer 20

1. thinner conception of International society
2. prioritises order over justice
3. different states can coexist and cooperate through shared interests and institutions
4. mutual recognition of sovereign states.
5. no key solidarity, non interference, any kind of intervention undermines norms of tolerance and respect which society is based on.

Question 21

Name five points about Solidarist society

6 points

Answer 21

1. thicker sense of international society
2. Ties that bind human kind are deep.
3. more about prioritising human rights (basic rights we are entitled to)
4. State sovereignty should not shield when these rights are violated.
5. international society has responsibility to intervene when human right violations occur.
6. Justice over order