Unit 3 Seminar

 You will be getting a break during Unit 4- there are no grade assignments due  The exam that you took for Unit 3 was not graded-I am working to get the Assignment link fixed.  For Unit 5, you will begin looking at the Scenario that will be used for your Unit 8 and Unit 9 projects. Take a look at it and let me know which role you would like to undertake.

 Principles 1. Anarchy 2. The state is the main actor-no governing body 3. State is a unitary actor 4. Rationality-use of cost/benefit analysis  Security Dilemma  States are insecure  States purchase weapons to defend or defeat potential enemies  Result is an “arms race”

 Power  Power keeps states safe.  Power enables states to coerce or threaten other states in order to protect itself.  State’s national interest is obtaining more power.  States compete in pursuit of power.  Questions ▪ How to measure? Resource v. Outcome ▪ Source of power important? ▪ Preponderance of resources? ▪ Defining power? Military v. Economic

 Prescriptions  Government’s should increase the states power  War is acceptable foreign policy  Criticisms  Appropriate use of anarchy?  State as basic unit of analysis?  State as unitary and rational actor?  No clear or testable predictions about state behavior  Does define why more resources equals power

 Principles  Believes in the rationality of individuals  Individuals know what is in their best interest  Advocate liberal democracy as the best form of government  The problems of anarchy can be solved  Role of State  States do compete for power in international politics

 Role of State  States also compete for economic power  States can come together in the pursuit of common goals  State is not the only actor in international politics  Actors have incentives to cooperate and incentives to be in conflict with others.

Variant of LiberalismLevel of AnalysisDeparture from Realism Liberal Institutionalism:System. Retains basic assumption of balance of power theory. Anarchy does not necessarily lead to conflict. Cooperation is possible. Complex Interdependence TheorySub-state, but not exclusively. Focuses on individuals, firms, NGOs, and organizations within governments as key actors. States are not the only important actors. Actors have diverse interests in international politics. Much of IR has little to do with military security. Democratic Peace TheoryState. Focuses on what kind of government the state has. State are not all essentially the same. Liberal (democratic) states can solve disputes without war.