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Three Normative traditions Why states act, how they act and whether change is needed and/or feasible
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How they reason Realist: Empirical observations (inductive) Liberal: A rational design exists (deductive) Revolutionist: diagnostic and prescriptive (imperative)
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Human nature and progress Realist: human nature is evil, rogues prey on fools, conflict and violence are inevitable. Liberal: There is an underlying design of moral good (moral law). Human nature is blank/good, progress inevitable. Revolutionist: only the ‘doctrine’ is good. Hard vs. soft solutions
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Nature of International Politics Realist: a state of nature, no common sovereign, anarchy, war of all against all. Liberal: An international society exists (a social contract for states) but needs more law and institutions. Revolutionist: all politics is one: the brotherhood of man, solidarity by example or by force.
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Power and National Interest Realist: Politics is utility. Morality derives from power. A state only pursues self-interest. Liberal: Power must be transformed into legitimate authority. Justice must limit self-interest. Revolutionist: (hard) end justifies means, (soft) power is never a means.
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The state Realist: state is the final form of political organization. Liberal: international society to limit or transcend the state. Revolutionist: state is a false unit, universal oneness is the goal.
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War and Peace Realist: war is inevitable, peace is the laboratory of war. War is the extension of the pursuit of interest. Liberal: peace is the norm, war a violation. Only ‘just war’ to restore peace. Revolutionist: (hard) war is the agent of change, the doctrine, not peace is the goal.(soft) pacifism and non-resistance.
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Balance of Power and Diplomacy Realist: States seek a positive Balance of Power. diplomacy is the intelligent application of power. Liberal: BoP is a key institution to distribute power evenly. Diplomacy reconciles national interest Revolutionist: one world republic, rejects BoP ‘game.’ Open conferences, no secret diplomacy
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International Law and Organization Realist: law does not bind states: rebus sic stantibus. No organization is legitimate that replaces the state. Liberal: Law precedes states: Pacta sunt Servanda. Organization must ‘hem in’ the state. Revolutionist: the doctrine is law. IL is ideology of the Status Quo. Organization is civitas maxima
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Politics and Morality Realist: IP is governed not by rights but by interests, by Raison d’ etat. (non-moral) Liberal: Statesmen are trustees to seek interest tempered by justice. Revolutionist: (soft) denial of self interest to bring about good.
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Conclusion Realist: “…and every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) Liberal: “The great task is to discover what [governments] ought to prescribe, for no prescription is valid against the conscience of mankind.” (Lord Acton) Revolutionist: “Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways: the point, however, is to change it.” (Karl Marx).
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