1. Lecture 3: Realist Theory of IR

2. Case Assignment #1 Case now in the syllabus – re-download
Links on Canvas
Select 6 wars to assess BEFORE you start the assignment

3. Plagiarism Quiz Get out piece of paper Write your name on it
Describe, in 25 words or less, “What is plagiarism?”

4. Why you should cite properly: Reading and citing research …
Helps you create a better argument
Makes you look smart
Is simply the right thing to do
Ensures the feedback you get is about your writing, and so can make you a better writer

5. Hold up your hand if You do not understand what plagiarism is
You believe it is okay to plagiarize or cheat
You believe you will not be caught if you plagiarize or cheat in this class
You believe that, if caught, you can still pass this class

6. Summary of last class points
Three levels of causation: deep/system, intermediate/state, proximate/individuals
Applying levels to Peloponnesian War case
Two meanings of power
Control of resources
Influence over outcomes
Two aspects of power
Relational: "Power over whom?"
Situational: "Power to do what?“
Paradox of unrealized power: sometimes powerful states are not powerful - States with lots of resources fail to wield influence over others

7. Outline Preparing for quizzes Prisoners Dilemma exercise - prepare
Case 1: Canvas Links: do readings, select cases, use chart
Takeaways for today’s class
Understanding causes of war (last class)
Understanding power (this class)
Structure for comparing theories – 6 tenets
Content of realism

8. Case Assignment #1

9. Case Study 1: Grading Rubric
Structure paper by explanations NOT wars (10 points off papers that structure by wars)
Develop arguments using Goldstein. Cite course textbook and/or other course articles that are relevant
Provide evidence AND interpret it in your own words so that it links to the arguments made by Goldstein.
Select *good* evidence to illustrate theoretical points.
Show how evidence you chose supports claims you make.
Read Wikipedia pages well and accurately.
Use headings
Strong intro, noting Goldstein’s argument and your assessment
Conclusion that summarizes more and less important causes of war based on evidence (and summarizing your argument)

10. Readings for today Nye, Ch. 2.
Holsti, O. R Theories of international relations. Unpublished paper
Feaver/Popescu and Donnelly/Kristol articles: both articles suggest that “who is president doesn’t make a difference” – consider also Benazir Bhutto as prime minister of Pakistan
In all these cases, the change in our expectations of policy (based on rhetoric or identity of politician) is MUCH bigger than actual change in policy

11. Discussion of Yemeni Crisis and views on how the US response
Poll results
Do you think these are representative of US population?
Goal of exercise: understand somebody else’s position
Divide into Military, Diplomacy, Do Nothing, Unsure
Pair off with somebody from a DIFFERENT group
3 minutes – respectfully lay out your reasons for your view; other should respectfully listen
3 minutes – reverse roles
That’s it: listen & try to understand other viewpoint

12. Yemen Exercise
Identify TWO ways US military aid to Saudi Arabia is likely to make the world BETTER
Identify TWO ways US military aid to Saudi Arabia is likely to make the world WORSE
These combine
Predictions based in causal theories (what the effects of US military aid are likely to be)
Your value judgements about those effects (whether those effects are good or bad)

13. Total time: 10 minutes GOALS PROCESS
State your view clearly and calmly so other person can understand it
Listen and try to understand the views of the other person
Start: both people state goals of exercise
Person 1: state one likely effect of US bombings and whether you think that is good/bad
Person 2: clarify/repeat back
Person 1: verify you were heard
Repeat in reverse
Wrapup: did you achieve goals of exercise?

14. i>clicker survey Did you like the exercise
Liked it
Didn’t like it

15. Realism and its 6 tenets Focus Actors Goals Means Organizing Principle
Dynamics

16. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

17. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

18. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

19. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Military force is usable, effective, and fungible
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

20. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Military force is usable, effective, and fungible
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Anarchy and self-help
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

21. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Military force is usable, effective, and fungible
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Anarchy and self-help
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?
Acquisition and balancing of power

22. i>clicker survey What is the main thing Realists seek to explain?
Why peace treaties take so long to negotiate
Why states seek to seize the territories of other states
Why war and other forms of conflict is so common among states even though most states would prefer to avoid conflict
Why states switched from using military power to using economic power to oppress other states