1. Theories of International Relations
…Theories on International Relations attempt to explain the forces guiding the competitions and relationships among States. Here are the main 3 we’ll cover:
Realism
Idealism (Liberalism or “Liberal Institutionalism)
Constructivism

2. Realism
According to this theory, POWER is the only thing that governs in the end… the ability to influence others.
Irrelevance of morality and ethics
Irrelevance of domestic political systems
Why is power the only thing that matters?
Human nature
Anarchic world: no rules

3. Realism All nations are self-reliant
To preserve peace, use Balance of Power
US vs. USSR in Cold War
US—China—Japan in East Asia
Unipolarity, or an imbalance of power, cannot last
Nations will balance against US power

4. The Cold War Balance of Power 1945-1990
Israel Syria/Egypt
Ethiopia Somalia
Taiwan China
S. Korea N. Korea
S. Viet Nam N. Viet Nam
W. Berlin E. Berlin
W. Germany E. Germany
Britain/France/Japan Poland/Czech
US USSR

5. Unipolar World EU
Japan
Russia
China
India US

6. Realism
What is Power??
What features, capabilities, advantages, etc.. create power?

7. Power?

8. US: Weak Neighbors, Big Oceans

9. Power

10. Power?

11. Power: Information

12. Power: Political Unity/Stability

13. Power? Shanghai, China

14. Power? Jaipur, India

15. Power?
Thailand Algeria South Korea

16. Power?

17. Idealism/Liberalism I
Power is not the only thing that matters
States have common interests and common values
Trade is a key common interest

18. Idealism/Liberalism Key Common Interests: Global Marketplace
Interdependence
Desire for rules
Desire for predictability and stability
International system is based on laws (Treaties) and institutions (UN, WTO)
International law

19. UN General Assembly, New York

20. International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands

21. WTO, Geneva

22. International Law Sovereignty Voluntary
Choosing Cooperation over Rivalry
Multilateral Treaties Depository

23. Constructivism Nation-states are not all alike
Political culture shapes foreign policy
Form of government shapes foreign policy
History shapes foreign policy
Domestic political trends and debates shape foreign policy

24. Constructivism States have Identity
State identity influences the way states interact with each other
Examples:
China sensitivity to any policies of other states that threaten its unity and sovereignty
Russia’s fear of invasion
US desire to transform the world

25. Russian fear of invasion

26. China 21st Century

27. China Colonized… like Russia, part of their identity is defined by fear of invasion

28. US: Woodrow Wilson, 1917
“The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them. “

29. US: GW Bush, 2005
“And we have declared our own intention: America will stand with the allies of freedom to support democratic movements in the Middle East and beyond, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. “