Lecture 3: Realist Theory of IR

Case Assignment #1 Case now in the syllabus – re-download Links on Canvas Select 6 wars to assess BEFORE you start the assignment

Plagiarism Quiz Get out piece of paper Write your name on it Describe, in 25 words or less, “What is plagiarism?”

Why you should cite properly: Reading and citing research … Helps you create a better argument Makes you look smart Is simply the right thing to do Ensures the feedback you get is about your writing, and so can make you a better writer

Hold up your hand if You do not understand what plagiarism is You believe it is okay to plagiarize or cheat You believe you will not be caught if you plagiarize or cheat in this class You believe that, if caught, you can still pass this class

Summary of last class points Three levels of causation: deep/system, intermediate/state, proximate/individuals Applying levels to Peloponnesian War case Two meanings of power Control of resources Influence over outcomes Two aspects of power Relational: "Power over whom?" Situational: "Power to do what?“ Paradox of unrealized power: sometimes powerful states are not powerful - States with lots of resources fail to wield influence over others

Outline Preparing for quizzes Prisoners Dilemma exercise - prepare Case 1: Canvas Links: do readings, select cases, use chart Takeaways for today’s class Understanding causes of war (last class) Understanding power (this class) Structure for comparing theories – 6 tenets Content of realism

Case Assignment #1

Case Study 1: Grading Rubric Structure paper by explanations NOT wars (10 points off papers that structure by wars) Develop arguments using Goldstein. Cite course textbook and/or other course articles that are relevant Provide evidence AND interpret it in your own words so that it links to the arguments made by Goldstein. Select *good* evidence to illustrate theoretical points. Show how evidence you chose supports claims you make. Read Wikipedia pages well and accurately. Use headings Strong intro, noting Goldstein’s argument and your assessment Conclusion that summarizes more and less important causes of war based on evidence (and summarizing your argument)

Readings for today Nye, Ch. 2. Holsti, O. R. 2004. Theories of international relations. Unpublished paper Feaver/Popescu and Donnelly/Kristol articles: both articles suggest that “who is president doesn’t make a difference” – consider also Benazir Bhutto as prime minister of Pakistan In all these cases, the change in our expectations of policy (based on rhetoric or identity of politician) is MUCH bigger than actual change in policy

Discussion of Yemeni Crisis and views on how the US response Poll results Do you think these are representative of US population? Goal of exercise: understand somebody else’s position Divide into Military, Diplomacy, Do Nothing, Unsure Pair off with somebody from a DIFFERENT group 3 minutes – respectfully lay out your reasons for your view; other should respectfully listen 3 minutes – reverse roles That’s it: listen & try to understand other viewpoint

Yemen Exercise Identify TWO ways US military aid to Saudi Arabia is likely to make the world BETTER Identify TWO ways US military aid to Saudi Arabia is likely to make the world WORSE These combine Predictions based in causal theories (what the effects of US military aid are likely to be) Your value judgements about those effects (whether those effects are good or bad)

Total time: 10 minutes GOALS PROCESS State your view clearly and calmly so other person can understand it Listen and try to understand the views of the other person Start: both people state goals of exercise Person 1: state one likely effect of US bombings and whether you think that is good/bad Person 2: clarify/repeat back Person 1: verify you were heard Repeat in reverse Wrapup: did you achieve goals of exercise?

i>clicker survey Did you like the exercise Liked it Didn’t like it

Realism and its 6 tenets Focus Actors Goals Means Organizing Principle Dynamics

Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised Focus – what is being explained? Conflict Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch? Goals – what are the goals of the main actors? Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals? Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized? Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised Focus – what is being explained? Conflict Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch? States are primary and act as unitary rational actors Goals – what are the goals of the main actors? Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals? Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized? Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised Focus – what is being explained? Conflict Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch? States are primary and act as unitary rational actors Goals – what are the goals of the main actors? Survival, security, and hence, power Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals? Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized? Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised Focus – what is being explained? Conflict Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch? States are primary and act as unitary rational actors Goals – what are the goals of the main actors? Survival, security, and hence, power Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals? Military force is usable, effective, and fungible Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized? Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised Focus – what is being explained? Conflict Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch? States are primary and act as unitary rational actors Goals – what are the goals of the main actors? Survival, security, and hence, power Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals? Military force is usable, effective, and fungible Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized? Anarchy and self-help Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised Focus – what is being explained? Conflict Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch? States are primary and act as unitary rational actors Goals – what are the goals of the main actors? Survival, security, and hence, power Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals? Military force is usable, effective, and fungible Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized? Anarchy and self-help Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like? Acquisition and balancing of power

i>clicker survey What is the main thing Realists seek to explain? Why peace treaties take so long to negotiate Why states seek to seize the territories of other states Why war and other forms of conflict is so common among states even though most states would prefer to avoid conflict Why states switched from using military power to using economic power to oppress other states