The English School Flashcards
What was the initial general idea of the English School?
- An attempt to break out of the “stiffling” war between idealism and realism
- Offers an alternative to the competition vs cooperation dichotomy of realism and liberalism
How does the English School compare to Critical Theory and Post-structuralism?
The English School considers itself to be the middle ground between Orthodox IR and Radical IR theories
What is the core methodology behind The English School?
POSITIVISM
Considers a classical approach based on human behaviour being mostly unpredictable
Must pay close attention to different historical contexts- concepts such as Balance of Power or Human Rights meant different things at different points in history
Scholars must interpret the actions of actors- often these actors are diplomats and leaders who are acting on behalf of the state.
What’s a common focus between Liberalism and the English School?
Focuses on primary institutions not secondary institutions
What is a common focus between Realism and the English School?
Focuses on International Society not International System
What is an international system? According to Bull and Watson
‘A group of states (or, more generally, a group of independent political communities) which … form a system, in the sense that the behaviour of each is a necessary factor in the calculations of the others’
Thus it is not mechanical
aka in normal people words: when states are able to affect each other’s behaviour via contact
What is an international society? According to Bull and Watson again
A group of states that form a system where they analyse the behaviour of other states so they can make their own decisions, (thus an international system) but it is also when a group of states interacts with one another and are bound by a set of rules and norms which are commonly agreed
aka in normal people words: when states come together on basis of shared interests to form common institutions and consider themselves to be bound by common rules
e.g ‘the West’ today: states do not invade each other
What are common traits of the International System?
- Interaction between communities
- No rules or institutions
- Applicable to pariah states
- Balance essential for orders
What are common traits of the International Society?
- Common interests, values, rules and institutions
- Behaviour regulated by these
- Limited international law
What are the common traits of a World Society?
- Transnational interests, values, rules and institutions
- Universal international law (e.g ICC)
What are the similarities between constructivism and the English School according to Dunne?
- ‘Both regard the inter-state order as a fundamentally social sphere which constitutes states as agents and socialize them into following its rules and conventions”
- Both view norms and institutions as expressions of shared knowledge and shared values
What are the similarities between constructivism and the English School according to Wednt?
- different understanding of social stuctures- do not believe that ‘states are like people too
The English School have specific ideas on justice. What are they?
Commutative and distributive justice
What is commutative justice?
- The same rules apply to all states within a society
- This justice allows for fair interaction
- Controlled via international law and diplomatic protocol
What is distributive justice?
- Concerns goods and their distribution within a society
Belief that poor/weak states deserve special treatment
E.g. international aid - Some states are allowed to be treated differently within a society if they are poor/weak
-Again, morality is important
lots of morality things being important and that
What is the significance of human rights to English School scholars?
- Statespeople therefore have a moral obligation to respect human rights at home and abroad
- States have a responsibility to promote human rights in the system
- Allows for foreign intervention
- War may be justified on humanitarian grounds
Case Study: Rising China.
How do the English School feel about it?
- Stresses domestic factors and identity, being uhh, lack of
- Looks at “primary institutions”
- Neither as pessimistic as realism or as utopian as liberalism : this is one of the reasons why the English School is so highly criticised, it tends to change its ideas and viewpoints left right and centre
What are the criticisms of the English School?
- Lack of coherence and consistency
- Pick and choose the bits of realism (e.g. Anarchy) and liberalism (e.g. cosmopolitanism) they like.
What are the basic ways to explain the English School?
- Presented as middle ground between realism and liberalism
- Central concept is international society
- Sovereign states are key units, but form institutions to regulate international society
- States have moral obligation to promote order, justice and human rights
What is the ENglish Schools’ central concept, international society or international system?
International society
