Theories of International Relations Liberalism, Realism and World Systems Theory

Questions How do we approach the study of international relations? How do we define the interests of states? In narrow or broad terms? What is the role (or lack of role) of the state? Who is/are the central actors and/or institutions? How do we see the role of the individual in international politics?

Levels of Analysis The Individual The State The International System To a large degree, the actor, or level of analysis, we choose determines how we study International Relations. How?

The Individual Personalities, perceptions, choices and activities of decision- makers Vladamir Putin = deceptive and greedy Barack Obaba = intelligent and peaceful These are, of course, completely subjective aspects of people’s personalities, but depending how much power one has, these personality traits can influence global commerce, international relations and politics

The State Domestic political factors Type of government Democratic or Authoritarian Type of economic system Capitalist or state-owned Interest groups

The International System Anarchical structure – the world is a schoolyard, with bullies, victims and little real authority International ‘norms’ – the West feels that it’s the norm…is it? Alliances – NATO, the G8(7), the Arab League, the EU etc. Balance of Power throughout history Multi-polar (pre-WWI) Bi-polar (Cold War) Uni-polar or Hegemony (America)

Realism “The strong do what they can, the weak do what they must.” Conflict! States exist in an anarchic international system. Power matters most, and each state makes its decisions based on how much power it has relative to other states. “The strong do what they can, the weak do what they must.” -Thucydides The international system is defined by the distribution of power amongst states…

Realism (cont.) The state is a unitary actor. States engage in the unilateral pursuit of their national interest. Policy and decision-makers are assumed to be rational actors. Security is the state’s primary concern.

Liberalism (a.k.a. Idealism) Cooperation! Anarchy, rationality and military force do not paint the whole picture. Reciprocity – Good behavior is rewarded, and bad behavior is punished (tariffs, trade barriers, and sometimes war) The international system is built upon norms and procedures. The UN, embassies, cease-fire agreements, treaties, international trade agreements (NAFTA)

Liberalism (cont.) Collective Security Aggression by one state will be met by resistance from all of the rest. Free-rider problem Neo-liberalism States are self-serving but generally benefit more if they cooperate and ‘play by the rules’.

The Prisoner’s Dilemma Idealism vs Realism for the Individual You and your friend have been arrested by the police and are being questioned in two separate rooms. The police suspect you of robbing a bank, but they don’t have enough evidence to convict both of you; they can only charge you with possessing a firearm. They offer you a deal… If you confess to the crime and your partner doesn’t, you will go free. If you don’t confess and your partner does, you will get a long prison term (10 years) and your partner will go free. If both of you confess, you will get a reduced term (5 years). If neither of you confess, you will both serve a short sentence (2 years) for having a gun. What would you do…? How does this translate into International Relations?

Realism – Idealism Debate Idealism in IR holds that: Morality, law and international organization can form the basis for relations among states. States can operate as a community rather than merely as autonomous self-interested agents. Realism, on the other hand, says: States use power to pursue their own interests in the context of a system lacking central enforcement mechanisms. The international system is anarchic.

World Systems Theory Also known as Structuralism or Neo- Marxism Key structures in the international order are social classes The interests of states are not fixed, but are malleable (changeable). All other state and non-state institutions (NGOs, International Organizations etc.) are subject to the interests of the dominant class in a global capitalist order

World Systems Theory (cont.) Globalization is nothing new; it is simply another stage in the spread of global capitalism While we are growing “closer” in terms of information exchange and the flow of trade, the inherent inequalities caused by capitalism are exacerbated by the global capitalist system. Therefore, according to World Systems theorists, we’re really growing “further” apart