International system Units/agents/actors Structure Interdependence between units/agents Regular interactions between units Functional differentiation between units

Types of theories Reductionist theories-explain international outcomes through national/individual elements Systemic theories-explain international outcomes through other actors and interactions between these actors

Images of IR-Kenneth Waltz 1 st image-source of conflict is in man’s nature 2 nd image-source of conflict is in internal organization of states 3 rd image-source of conflict is in the international political environment

International system Nature of units/relative capabilities determine structure i.e. distribution of power: if there is concentration of power in one state-unipolar system; in two states-bipolar In three states-tripolar

Types of international systems Independent state system Hegemonic state system-one preponderant state determine basic rules Imperial state system-supremacy of one state-loss of sovereignty for the other units Feudal system

Structure Underlying principle as to how units relate to one another Distribution of power/capabilities Functional differentiation between actors These determine a state’s interests Anarchy-leads to self-help situation for states

Realist assumptions State-centric assumption Rationality assumption Power assumption

Neorealism Anarchic condition International system is one of self-help Actions of states result from the nature of international politics Relationships between certain aspects of the system and actor behavior

Neorealist propositions Small states will behave differently from large states Alliances will shift in response to changes in power relationships Internal attributes of actors are given by assumption rather than treated as variables,ie. Changes in actor behavior result from the changes in the system.

International structure- constant elements : International system is anarchic-not hierarchic It is characterized by interactions among units with similar functions Variable: distribution of capabilities/power

Balance of power Self-help leads to the formation of balances of power Balance of power becomes an outcome of the anarchic international structure

Major weaknesses Classical realism-fail to explain change Classical realism-fail to explain why states do not maximize power in benign conditions Neorealism-fail to explain how interests are deduced from the system Neorealism-fail to predict outcomes from interests and power even when interests are taken as given