POSC 2200 – Theoretical Approaches Russell Alan Williams Department of Political Science

Unit Two: Theoretical Approaches “ Marxism and Radicalism ” “ Marxism and Radicalism ” Required Reading: Globalization of World Politics, Chapter 9 Globalization of World Politics, Chapter 9 Vladimir Lenin, Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, Chapter VII, “ Imperialism as a Special stage of Capitalism ” (Available from: p-hsc/ch07.htm, or from the instructor) Vladimir Lenin, Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, Chapter VII, “ Imperialism as a Special stage of Capitalism ” (Available from: p-hsc/ch07.htm, or from the instructor) p-hsc/ch07.htm p-hsc/ch07.htmOutline: 1. Introduction to Radicalism 2. Key Assumptions 3. Contemporary Approaches 4. Conclusions 5. For Next Time

1) Introduction to Radicalism: Marxism, radicalism, critical theory are all labels for a “ catch all category ”.... Marxism, radicalism, critical theory are all labels for a “ catch all category ”.... = Approach that questions the nature of existing global relations – relations which are often taken for granted in realist and liberal scholarship = Approach that questions the nature of existing global relations – relations which are often taken for granted in realist and liberal scholarship Explore topics “ made invisible ” by mainstream approaches Explore topics “ made invisible ” by mainstream approaches E.g. Economic inequality E.g. Economic inequality -General link to Marxist political economy... Key Thinkers: Key Thinkers: Lenin Lenin Gunder Frank Gunder Frank Wallerstein Wallerstein Cox Cox

2) Key Assumptions: A) System of production central to IR “ Means of Production ” = economic system “ Means of Production ” = economic system “ Modes of Production ” = social relations “ Modes of Production ” = social relations =Heavy emphasis on economics and global capitalism =More relevance to IPE??? B) Importance of historical analysis System of production changes over time... System of production changes over time... Will result in changes in international politics/foreign policy Will result in changes in international politics/foreign policy Westphalian states  “ Neoliberal ” states Westphalian states  “ Neoliberal ” states C) All politics driven by “ class ” struggle Capitalism inherently exploitative Capitalism inherently exploitative IR can be seen as a “ subset ” of struggles among different classes – goal should be “ emancipation ” IR can be seen as a “ subset ” of struggles among different classes – goal should be “ emancipation ”

D) Global system is VERY hierarchical - states are not all the same... despite sovereignty “ Imperialism ” : Conquest or control of other societies “ Imperialism ” : Conquest or control of other societies Driven by expansion of specific economic system = Capitalism Driven by expansion of specific economic system = Capitalism Marxist economics suggests capitalism prone to crises: Marxist economics suggests capitalism prone to crises:  Leads to depressions, dissatisfaction and revolutions.... Can only be managed by state oppression and imperial expansion... Can only be managed by state oppression and imperial expansion...

D) Global system is VERY hierarchical.... E.g. Vladimir Lenin ( ) E.g. Vladimir Lenin ( ) Architect of the Russian Revolution Architect of the Russian Revolution IR scholar(?) IR scholar(?)

Example: “ Lenin ’ s Theory of Imperialism ” : Believed: “ Monopoly Capitalist ” phase had begun in great powers “ Monopoly Capitalist ” phase had begun in great powers =Declining profits for proto-MNC ’ s Elites demanded “ new imperialism ” of 19 th century for “ super-exploitation ” of south Elites demanded “ new imperialism ” of 19 th century for “ super-exploitation ” of south Result:> Intensified imperial rivalries Result:> Intensified imperial rivalries > World War I Implications: Economic problems = “ Imperialism ” = War Economic problems = “ Imperialism ” = War International power requires economic domination International power requires economic domination Communist revolution needed to end capitalism – this will end wars Communist revolution needed to end capitalism – this will end wars

D) Global system is VERY hierarchical... E.g. Dependency Theory (Gunder Frank) E.g. Dependency Theory (Gunder Frank) Logical successor to Lenin: Logical successor to Lenin: Capitalist imperialism = war & underdevelopment Capitalist imperialism = war & underdevelopment = southern states will be systematically exploited Labour and natural resources produce “ super profits ” necessary for capitalism Labour and natural resources produce “ super profits ” necessary for capitalism

Example: Gunder Frank & the challenge of development Argued: Careful study of history showed that south was systemically underdeveloped, not undeveloped E.g. Northern “ Multinational Corporations ” undermined natural local development Implications: Northern development strategies would never work in south!! Implications: Northern development strategies would never work in south!!Policy? Southern states could only develop by isolating themselves from global capitalism? Southern states could only develop by isolating themselves from global capitalism? Revolutions or Protectionism Revolutions or Protectionism

Example: Gunder Frank & the challenge of development Problems: Dependency strategies not successful (?) Dependency strategies not successful (?) Success of East Asian states since 1970s (?) Success of East Asian states since 1970s (?) Remains a popular method for understanding IR, but less popular as an economic strategy...

D) Global system is VERY hierarchical... World Systems Theory(Wallerstein) World Systems Theory(Wallerstein) Argues: World organized into single global capitalist system Capitalism determines states ’ position in international hierarchy – only core countries have power and real sovereignty Capitalism determines states ’ position in international hierarchy – only core countries have power and real sovereignty Core: Wealthy “ metropolitan countries ” = Advanced industry and banking Core: Wealthy “ metropolitan countries ” = Advanced industry and banking E.g. United States E.g. United States Semi-Periphery: Weaker countries with some industry – partially exploited by core Semi-Periphery: Weaker countries with some industry – partially exploited by core E.g. Brazil? Indonesia? Canada? E.g. Brazil? Indonesia? Canada? Periphery: Poor countries – mainly exploited for natural resources Periphery: Poor countries – mainly exploited for natural resources Change in position possible, but change is slow... Change in position possible, but change is slow...

3) Contemporary Approaches: Two “ families of thought ” : Two “ families of thought ” : “ New Marxism ” “ New Marxism ” “ Gramscianism ” “ Gramscianism ”

A) “ New Marxism ” Evidence of “ decolonization ”, “ NIC ” development and “ globalization ” shift focus from interstate hierarchy Evidence of “ decolonization ”, “ NIC ” development and “ globalization ” shift focus from interstate hierarchy Modern approach is a more direct critique of mainstream “ IR ”, and “ Neorealism ” in particular Modern approach is a more direct critique of mainstream “ IR ”, and “ Neorealism ” in particular IR is based on “ bad ” history, nature of states is constantly changing as technology and production changes IR is based on “ bad ” history, nature of states is constantly changing as technology and production changes Transition to “ neoliberal ” state just the latest evolution Transition to “ neoliberal ” state just the latest evolution E.g. “ sovereignty ” no longer as important as servicing capitalism E.g. “ sovereignty ” no longer as important as servicing capitalism “ Credit Crunch ” (2008) “ Credit Crunch ” (2008) “ East Asian Financial Crisis ” (1998) “ East Asian Financial Crisis ” (1998) Different forms of state are not a product of “ anarchy ”, “ interdependence ” or “ globalization ” but are part of class struggle = we can make different states.... Different forms of state are not a product of “ anarchy ”, “ interdependence ” or “ globalization ” but are part of class struggle = we can make different states....

B) “ Gramscianism ” (Robert Cox) Modern approach popular in Canada and Britain: Modern approach popular in Canada and Britain: Focus on global class relations and ideology – often linked to “ constructivism ” Focus on global class relations and ideology – often linked to “ constructivism ” Less “ state centric ” than other IR theories – including “ New Marxism ”.... Less “ state centric ” than other IR theories – including “ New Marxism ”.... Transnational Capitalist Class (MNC ’ s) Transnational Capitalist Class (MNC ’ s) $$$$ = power in politics and international institutions $$$$ = power in politics and international institutions $$$$ = ideological domination over subordinate classes $$$$ = ideological domination over subordinate classes = “ Hegemony ” : understood as the ideological generation of “ consent ” by elites in society State “ coercion ” and imperialism not necessary as most accept prevailing order State “ coercion ” and imperialism not necessary as most accept prevailing order

B) “ Gramscianism ” E.g. “ Washington Consensus ” = “ neoliberal ” development strategy E.g. “ Washington Consensus ” = “ neoliberal ” development strategy Lower taxes, remove tariffs, remove obstacles to MNC activity and cut social programs etc. and development will occur Lower taxes, remove tariffs, remove obstacles to MNC activity and cut social programs etc. and development will occur =A development strategy designed by MNC ’ s not the global poor....

B) “ Gramscianism ” Implications? Implications? International politics is a war of ideas between elites and others – weaker groups must organize “ counter hegemony ” supporting alternative ideas International politics is a war of ideas between elites and others – weaker groups must organize “ counter hegemony ” supporting alternative ideas

4) Conclusions: Who are the actors of international politics? A) Social classes (Marx  Gramscianism) B) Corporations C) States (Lenin  World Systems Theory) However... states are agents of economic elites not independent actors (?) However... states are agents of economic elites not independent actors (?) D) Most important site of of analysis = “ Capitalism ” Economic system and the political relations it creates Economic system and the political relations it creates

4) Conclusions: Strengths: Focus on issues ignored by Realism/Liberalism Focus on issues ignored by Realism/Liberalism Position of southern states Position of southern states Clear normative position Clear normative position Purpose of international politics/foreign policy should be to reduce exploitation Purpose of international politics/foreign policy should be to reduce exploitation

Weaknesses: Unclear implications Unclear implications Does capitalism cause war? Does capitalism cause war?Or, Does capitalism lead to peace driven by harmony of interests of “ capitalist elite ” ? Does capitalism lead to peace driven by harmony of interests of “ capitalist elite ” ? Unclear policy recommendations Unclear policy recommendations What should southern states do???? What should southern states do???? Pessimism about solutions Pessimism about solutions

5) For Next Time... Unit Two: Theoretical Approaches “ Constructivism, Post Structuralism and Feminism ” Required Reading: Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 10, 11, 12 and 17. Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 10, 11, 12 and 17. Alexander Wendt, “ Anarchy is what states make of it: The social construction of power politics, ” International Organization, Vol. 46(2), (Spring 1992), Pp (Available through e-journals, or as an excerpt available from the instructor.) Alexander Wendt, “ Anarchy is what states make of it: The social construction of power politics, ” International Organization, Vol. 46(2), (Spring 1992), Pp (Available through e-journals, or as an excerpt available from the instructor.)