Marxist Theory Of International Relations

Introduction The Great Experiment had failed…. Bolshevik Revolution = Creation of USSR Cold War = End of USSR Marxist Theory = Dustbin of History World = Liberal Democracy and Capitalist But… Marxist Thought refuses to go away Two reasons for renaissance Failure of USSR embarrassment to Marxist USSR = Didn’t truly follow Marx Marxist now can promote communism without having to defend USSR Behavior Marxist Theory becoming more relevant in the world of Globalization All events take place in and are a consequence of the Global Capital System Many of Marx predictions of GCS are coming true

Elements of Marxism Karl Marx Communist Manifesto Outlined and provided critical critique of Capitalism Prophesized rise of working class socialist societies Never discussed international relations Schools of Thought emerged inspired by Marx Four Major Strands have Developed that share Key Marxist Ideology Social World (Sciences) Should be viewed as a Totality Non can be understood without the knowledge of others Materialist Conception of History Historical change reflection of the economic development of society Means of Production conflict with Relations of Production and forms Economic Base which will determine the Superstructure of Society

Continue Means of Production The elements that combine in the production process (Labor, tools, technology, etc…) Relations of Production Link and organize the Means of Production Technical and institutional relationships that allow production process Structure that govern process and control end products Economic Base Economic system of a society = power and control When one changes (MoP or RoP) then EB will be forced to change Superstructure Political, legal, cultural, etc… norms and institutions grow out of and reflect and reinforce the power and control of the economy

Continue Class Structure Society is prone to class conflict Bourgeoisie = The Capitalist Proletariat = The Workers Emancipation Marx thought philosophers should be actors in creating change Overthrow the existing/prevailing order and replace it with a communist society Replace wage labor and private property with a new social order The definition and terminology of emancipation is debated among contemporary Marxist

Four Marxist Theories World-System Theory Developed in response to… Imperialism Monopoly Capitalism = capital becoming consolidated in the hands of wealthy nations Core Periphery Harmony of Interests = pacifying the working class in the core with economic gain from the Periphery Declining Terms of Trade Price of Manufactured goods increased more rapidly than that of raw materials Periphery become poorer relative to the core Takes more coffee grown to buy a refrigerator

Continue Key Features of World-System Theory Prominent Protagonist = Immanuel Wallerstein History = rise and fall of a series of WS Current System Formed in 16th Century Birth of Age of Discovery (Globalization) Catalyst = Capitalism Interrelationships in the World Economy Core Democratic, welfare state, and high standard of living Imports = raw materials, Exports = manufactures Semi-Periphery Provides home for this industries that con no longer function in profitably in the Core Stabilizing factor of WST Authoritarian, low welfare services and standard of living Imports and exports both Periphery Non-Democratic Gov and no welfare services Imports = manufactures, Exports = raw materials

Continue Three zones are linked in exploitive relationship Wealth is drained form the Periphery to the core Temporal Dimensions of world-economy Cyclical Rhythms Capitalism goes through series of expansions (booms) and contractions (busts) over time Secular Trends Long-term growth of world economy in association with cyclical rhythms Each cycle starts/stops at different places Contradictions Makes one set of behavior optimal for the long run, while another set of behaviors are optimal for the short run… Often not possible to follow both Crisis Cyclical Rhythms, Secular Trends, and contradictions counter act and bring end to world system and replaced by a new world system

Continue Gramscianism Named after Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci Important contributions to the study of International Political Economy Founded Italian Communist party and jailed in 1926 for beliefs, spent rest of life in jail Wrote Prison Notebooks Key Questions Why had it proven to be so difficult to promote revolution in Western Europe? Marx predicted revolution would take place in most industrialized societies, but reality revolution took place in underdeveloped societies Capitalist Society -> Revolution -> Socialist Society

Continue Robert Cox Answer = Hegemony Modern proponent of Gramscianism Coercion and consent Coercion = fear of… keeps the exploited and alienated majority in society from rising up and over throwing the system that is the cause of their suffering Laws, norms, regulations, etc… Consent = allows the moral, political, and cultural values of the dominant group to become dispersed to the subordinate groups and classes Media, education, religion, etc… Society can only be changed through Counter-Hegemonic struggle Robert Cox Modern proponent of Gramscianism Knowledge cannot be objective and timeless

Continue Ideas and Values are reflection of social relations and are transformed by those social relations means all knowledge must reflect a certain, context, time, and space All Theorist inevitable bring their values to bear on their analysis No separation of facts and values Theories are for and serve the interest of those who prosper under the prevailing order Consent and coercion and Harmony of Interest Reinforcing the ruling hegemony Hegemony is important for maintaining stability and continuity Dominant powers have to shape a world order that suits their interest Free Trade – promoted by hegemony and accepted by masses, though it does not benefit the masses

Continue Critical Theory Challenges the prevailing order by seeking out, analyzing, and where possible, assisting social processes that can potentially lead to emancipatory change Born from Frankfurt School Left-Wing German Jews Nazism forced into exile, worked in the US Focuses almost entirely on Superstructural aspects of society Cultural, bureaucracy, politics, family structure, etc… Argue working class has been absorbed by the system and no longer is a treat to it Results from rise of Mass Media and mass culture

Continue Explores the meaning of Emancipation Barbaric and Immoral behavior conducted in the name of Emancipation Stalinism and Imperialism Domination of nature and humanity to common Seeks reconciliation with nature and humanity Radical Democracy Widest possible participation in democracy by eliminating barriers (social, economic, or cultural) Should extend beyond state Andrew Linklater – main contemporary Critical Theory Borders of the sovereign sates have lost their ethical and moral significance European Union

Continue New Marxism Justin Rosenberg – main contemporary Return to the fundamental tenets of Marxist thought Critical of stands that distort or neglect original intent Focuses on International Relations where Marx was vague Justin Rosenberg – main contemporary International System changes with each new period of time and Relations of Production Relations of Production impact state society State society interacts globally Relations of Production impact global society Change in Relation of Production in state will impact international society

Continue Benno Teschke – Other Main Contemporary Social Property Relations Examines the way in which class relations, forms of exploitation, and control of the means of production have changed in different historical epochs Two major transformations in IR Feudal System -> Early Modern (Monarchies) Early Modern -> Modern (Capitalist States)

Globalization and Marxism Marxism v. Globalization Marxist don’t deny the relevance and importance of Globalization Do deny that it is new or novel Just latest phase of Capitalist expansion and exploitation of non-capitalist or semi-capitalist nations The Globe is dominate by capitalism, all people and institutions are by capitalism through globalization, as integration and interdependence increase the trend will continue to grow Boarders may become obsolete, but capitalism is still king