1. International Relations
Sachin.B.V
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science

2. Are you
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

3. What are international relations?
Political: States, IGOs, and NGOs
Traditional (states only): War, diplomacy, sanctions, foreign aid, military alliances, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
Non-traditional (including non-state actors): Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), terrorism, drug trade
Economic: Multinational corporations (MNCs)
Trade in goods, financial services, remittances, sanctions, drug trade
Social/Cultural: Ideas and individuals
Migration, tourism, professional organizations, human rights, adoptions, religion, etc.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

4. From inter-national politics to global affairs?
In the future?
Actors: States, International organizations, business corporations, NGOs
Issues: Trade, environment, global justice, development, etc.
Principles: Interdependence and human rights
Power based on: Capacity to cooperate; technologies to solve global problems
In the past
Actors: States
Issues: War and Peace
Principles: State sovereignty and self-interst
Power based on: military strength and economic development
PBS frontline (video selection)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

5. Why theories? Purpose of theories in international relations:
Positivism: Explain and predict by reducing the complexity of reality (examples: Neorealism, Institutionalism).
Normativism: Challenge reality with reference to normative standpoints/values and develop strategies of fundamental global change (examples: Feminism and gender equality; Marxism and class struggle; Idealism and human rights).
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

6. Nau’s approach (preface)
Theories and ‘facts’
Three perspectives: power, institutions, and ideas
Three theories: realism, institutionalism, and constructivism (idealism)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

7. Chapter 1: Perspectives
What do perspectives do?
They help us reduce complexity and choose a specific lens (example: Darfur)
Understand how leaders think
Identify the primary causes of conflict
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

8. Chapter 1: Levels of Analysis
Individual level (first image): psychology of leaders
Domestic level (second image): characteristics of the political system (example: democracy)
International level (third image): character of the international system (example: anarchy)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

9. Chapter 1: Theories
Realism: power struggles among states; solution: balance of power
Institutionalism: self-interested cooperation among states; solution: regimes based on shared interests
Constructivism (idealism, identity perspective): differences in identities; solution: shared norms
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz

10. Who, what, why, and how? Realism Institutionalism Constructivism
What is the organizing principle?
Anarchy
Interdependence
Norms/ideas
Who are the main actors?
States
States/IGOs/NGOs
What are their main goals?
Survival/power
(protect domestic population)
Economic gain and cooperation (maximize domestic well-being)
Solving global problems (maximize everyone’s well-being)
What are the core capabilities?
Military
Technologic and economic
Knowledge
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz