Realism and Liberalism:

Realism: Origins Dominant IR theory Also one of the oldest Dates back to Ancient Greece But there is more than one “realism” Classical realism Structural/neo-realism Some similarities (assumptions made) Very different methodologically.

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War Melian Dialogue: Debate between Melos and Athenians Melians want to be neutral, Athenians argue they cannot allow this. Makes Athens look weak Melians refuse: want independence, appeal to ideas of justice and morality. Others will come to their aid for the sake of justice and honour

Thucydides Don’t care about looking bad so long as they look strong, especially to our own people. Hope blinds people to their situation Honor and principle don’t count for much when it comes to interest. No one is going to come to their aid even though they may be right.

“the powerful do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.” Thucydides “the powerful do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.”

Machiavelli The Prince (1513, published 1532) Discourses on Livy Guidebook on how to rule Discourses on Livy Applying lessons of Rome to “modern” statecraft.

Machiavelli “because I want to write what will be useful to anyone who understands, it seems to me better to concentrate on what really happens rather than on theories or speculations. For many have imagined republics and principalities that have never been seen or known to exist. However, how men live is different from how they should live that a ruler who does not do what is generally done, but persists in doing what ought to be done, will undermine his power rather than maintain it. If a ruler who wants always to act honourably is surrounded by many unscrupulous men his downfall is inevitable. Therefore, a ruler who wishes to maintain his power must be prepared to act immorally when this becomes necessary.” - The Prince

Machiavelli “men should either be caressed or crushed; because they can avenge slight injuries, but not those that are very severe. Hence, any injury done to a man must be such that there is no need to fear his revenge.” (The Prince) “it is a sound maxim that reprehensible actions may be justified by their effects, and that when the effect is good,… it always justifies the action.” Discourses

Realist Lessons Learning from the past Both look at the actions of leaders Machiavelli is interested in drawing conclusions Human nature: both take men as they are, not as they “should” or “might” be. Unlike other Greeks, Thucydides does not attribute actions to the gods. Machiavelli takes human nature to be “bad”; greedy and self interested.

Key Realist Principles Anarchy Self-Help Survival Security Dilemma Dismissal of idealism Pragmatism Statism Responsibility to nation-state

Realism in the 20th Century Realism developed in the interwar period (1919-1939) Rejection of utopian thought post-WWI Attempts to foster peace through “rational” schemes; international law E. H. Carr, Twenty Year’s Crisis (1939) Hans J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations (1948)

Realism in the 20th Century States, leaders motivated by power; will always act to strengthen position or maximize power If act out of idealism, will be attacked, defeated and/or destroyed Best way to understand politics is through the concept of interests, defined by power “Objective laws that have their roots in human nature” govern IR States must recognize this & adopt policies Effects of anarchy might be mitigated

Liberalism

Liberalism Today There isn’t “one” liberalism Several responses to realism All adhere to core principles of liberalism Different emphasis on the principles Idea of progress

Modern Liberalism: History 19th Century Origins world court, international law, restraints on warfare. First international organizations. Post- WWI League of Nations New ideas: self-determination of peoples democracies more stable than dictatorships. Post-WWII United Nations and new liberal institutions EU based on liberal ideas

Kant’s Perpetual Peace Starts with realist assumption: anarchical system - increases the likeliness of war Perpetuates injustice within states (cannot be secure) Therefore an obligation to work for a cosmopolitan society

Kant’s Perpetual Peace Can’t be done through a world state Practical difficulties May lead to despotism Turns to “republicanism” Essentially characteristics of a liberal state Has issues with direct democracy Republics will form a federation. Will protect other states from outside the union.

Kant’s Perpetual Peace States consult each other regarding their relations Disputes settled without war. Matters decided on principles of justice. Federation/Union members do not fight each other – may fight outsiders. Example will inspire people in other states More republics, federation will grow.

Kant and Liberalism No world government, but not a war of all against all. Rather there is potential for cooperation: Benefits of peace, trade and exchange People prefer peace to war

Kant and Liberalism Central liberal ideas: role of republican democracy role of institutions ideas about progress Ideas about the potential for cooperation

Democratic Peace Theory Idea that democracies do not fight one another Why? Costs (blood and treasure) People don’t like war Share similar ideas – willing to resolve disputes in other ways. Similar norms, morality

Sociological Liberalism/Pluralism Looks beyond the state Emphasis on groups/relations that go across boundaries (transnational groups) Better at fostering relations between states World as a series of networks (rather than billiard balls!)

Sociological Liberalism/Pluralism Karl Deutch Security community: a group of people which have become “integrated”. Integration: sense of community has been achieved agreement that conflicts and problems can be resolved peacefully i.e.: North Atlantic countries

Interdependence interdependence = mutual dependence. states are not self-contained units. affected by what goes on in other states. Increased by: International division of labour trade, etc. decreases the chance of conflict Different forms: fuctionalism, complex-interdependence

Interdependence Functionalism David Mitrany Transnational ties between countries to foster peace Cooperation via technical expertise Leave politicians out of it Hope that cooperation will “spill-over” into other areas. Will bind states ever closer together Philosophy behind the EU

Interdependence Complex Interdependence: Keohane and Nye Power and Interdependence (1977) Post-War interdependence different Previously military was always an option Relations no longer just between leaders Concern for “low” issues: economics Power is relative to an issue Japan: not military power, but economic one

Interdependence Complex Interdependence Realist assumptions still important Military issues still most important But: Not every issue is “life and death” Issues: (i.e.: trade) may be negotiated States don’t always resort to force.

Institutional Liberalism Institutions promote cooperation Increase trust, eliminate fear Institutions Formal organization of states: UN, EU Regime: set of rules which govern state behaviour and activity. Trade regime (NAFTA) “Fundamental objects” of international system International law, diplomacy

Institutional Liberalism Tends to be “empirical” Measures “scope”: number of issue areas where institutions “depth”: how meaningful Research Collect information on how institutions function What are the best conditions to form institutions? Why do institutions persist? Can institutions persist if circumstances change? A high level of institutions makes a multipolar anarchy more stable.

Liberalism(s) Democratic Peace Theory Sociological Liberalism/Pluralism Interdependence Functionalism (Mitrany) Complex Interdependence (Nye and Keohane) Institutional Liberalism