GO131: International Relations Professor Walter Hatch Colby College

How Americans See the World

What in the world is “IR?” One of four fields in political science Had been the study of bipolar relations In late 80s, focused on international political economy After 9/11, refocused on security

Studying IR after 9/11/01 States still matter State = territorial entity controlled by a government and inhabitated by a population State does not = nation State exercises sovereignty; answers to no higher authority IR deals with relations between sovereign or mostly sovereign states

Origins of Interstate System Warring city-states Modern system grew through centralization of power Thirty Years War ( )

The Westphalian System Treaty of Westphalia (1648) 1700s: Industrialization (Great Britain, France, Prussia or Germany) Napolean Congress of Vienna (1815)

The System Fails Imperialism Continued great power conflict

Explaining IR: Levels of Analysis (Waltz) First Image: The individual Second Image: The State Third Image: The international system

IR Theories Realism Liberalism

RealismLiberalism 1) International system characterized by anarchy 1) International system is a mix of anarchy and order 2) States are unitary actors and are central to the international system 2) States are not unitary/domestic politics matter 3) States are rational; they seek survival through power in the short run. This is their “national interest” 3) States are rational; if democratic, they seek peace and prosperity in the long run