Part 2

Part 2

Jeeran group

II Realism: Roots

of Realism Realism: World View Realism & world politics Evaluation

:Roots & Advocates of Realism Thucydes

(Wars between Athens & Sparta) Nicola Machiavelli Thomas Hobbs Advocates: George Kennan, Hans J. Morgenthau, & Kenneth Thompson.

:Realist World View Realist

world view is based on three main assumptions: 1- State-Centric assumption. 2- Unitary Rational assumption. 3- Anarchy assumption.

:Realist World View People

are selfish by nature. Conflict of interests among states is inevitable. National interest of states. Power & principles? Prudence. Relative

power/absolute power. Allies. International organizations. Balance of power.

:Power In IR International

politics revolves around power: 1- Acquisition of power 2- Increasing power 3- Projecting power.

:Realism & World Politics Realism

fits in interpreting word politics during the Cold War. Fits in explaining the prevailing policies of some states: ex……. Fits in times of tensions..

:Realism: Evaluation: Positive aspects 1- Important attempt to think theoretically about IR. 2- Its arguments are convincing. 3- Have evidence in history. 4- Remains relevant in explaining many aspects of contemporary world politics.

:Realism: Evaluation: Limitations One

factor only. Lack of precision in definition of main concepts…. Left many questions unanswered…. Methodology…. New developments in world politics?..

Disregard

of ethical principles & the material & social costs of its policy prescriptions.. Criticism of the rationality assumption….How? - States are not unitary actors….

- simplification of how states actually arrive to decisions.

More complex, includes pressures from many groups…, mistakes can be made due to many reasons…lack of information, character of leader….perceptions. Did not predict the peaceful end of the cold war…

:III - Extensions of Realism The

Neorealist or Structural extension of Realism Neoclasical Extension of Realism

The Neorealist or Structural Extension of -1 :Realism Late

1970’s, Kenneth Walts Main Ideas: The effect of the structure of International system…. Read Text.

:Neorealism : Evaluation Considered

to be more scientific compared to realism: proposing general laws to explain IR interactions. Examples: 1- Number of poles & the possibility of wars. 2- Power transition theory. Limitations:

1- One level of analysis. 2- Non-State actors. 3- Cooperation.

:Neoclasical Extension of Realism -2 Main

Ideas: Read text….

:IV- Neoliberalism Assumptions

& Main Ideas. When & Why did it gain Popularity? Main Theories.

:Assumptions & Main Ideas Started

in the 1980’s as a critique of realism & gained strength in 1990’s. It shares realist assumptions of: 1- Anarchy…… 2- States are rational actors……. 3- But emphasizes the role of Non State Actors

:Main Ideas States

are able to cooperate..... Importance of International institutions ( Neoliberal institutionalism ) Why? liberal idea that seeking long term mutual gains is often more rational than maximizing individual short term gains. ( absolute/relative gains )

?Why did it Gain Importance 1- Realism’s failure to predict the end of the cold war. 2- Prospects of cooperation after the fall of SU. 3- New issues in word politics agenda. 4- The progress in European Integration.

Focal Points of Debate between Neorealism & Neoliberalism Nature

& consequence of anarchy.

Ease

& likelihood of international cooperation. Relative / absolute gains. Priority of state goals. Capabilities & intentions. Institutions & regimes. Read TEXT

:Theoretical Perspectives of Neoliberalism Complex

Interdependence. International Regimes. International Integration

1- Complex Interdependence: What

is Interdependence? How to measure Interdependence Effects of Interdependence on IR

?What is Interdependence A

theory that stresses the complex ways in which the growing ties among transnational actors make them: - vulnerable to each other’s actions - & sensitive to each other’s needs(E…. Opposite to isolation & self help. MNC tying economies.

:Measuring Interdependence 1- Amount of interactions between actors. 2- Degree of sensitivity: - Sensitivity to the cessation of the relationship - Sensitivity to developments inside another actor (Prices, instability….) 3- Number of institutions that regulate cooperation between actors.

:Effects of Interdependence 1- Reducing the capacity of states to control their destinies (HOW?). 2- It enlarged the decision making agendas of states to include new issues other than security issues. 3- Affects the use of military force in IR (WHY?) particularly between industrialized countries).

:International Regimes -2 It

emphasizes the possibility of institutionalized patterns of cooperation in specific issue areas according to established rules. Mainly in Low politics not High politics: ( HOW? EX…) READ TEXT

Conclusion: Which of the four theories is ?more relevant IR

is very complicated. It can’t be reduced simply to any one of them. Each theory was popular at times (relevant to transformations in IR), then would fade, then might regain its attractiveness when developments make them useful once again.

Conclusion: Which of the four theories is ?more relevant IR

is very complicated. It can’t be reduced simply to any one of them. Each theory has its advantages & limitations……. Each theory was popular at times (relevant to transformations in IR), then would fade, then might regain its attractiveness when developments make them useful once again. ( conflicts & cooperation)

:V- Behavioralism Origin

of Behavioralism: When & Why Main Characteristics Evaluation

?Origin of Behavioralism: When & Why In

the 1960’s & early 1970’s as a counter reaction to the “traditional way” of studying IR. Better described as a methodology than a theoretical perspective.

It

belongs to a larger movement in Social sciences( behavioral social sciences (Psychology, sociology..) that: - Is skeptical about traditional, general & abstract approaches. - Admires scientific approaches used in science. Advocates: David Easton, David Singer

:Main Characteristics 1- Unit of analysis is behavior:…… 2- Emphasis on scientific approach:

Testing assumptions, correlations between variables, generalize & finding rules that hold across time &place.

3- Depends on verifiable knowledge, data, testable

evidence, not subjective beliefs, impressions or opinions) 4- Using new tools & methods for analysis including quantitative analysis depending on statistics & using computers.

5- Using comparative & cross-national analysis. EX…..

:Evaluation: Limitations Self

criticism by its advocates ( Easton). Limitations: 1- Pre-occupation with methods & the exclusion of addressing real-world problems, & it lost the sense of theory. 2- Ignoring policy makers’ need for data about how to protect state’s security….

3- Too costly. 4- It relied on past patterns of human experience that might be irrelevant to today’s or tomorrow’s world.

5- Neglected the ethical aspects of issues: poverty, hunger, violence…(can’t be studied quantitatively).

6- Human behavior is unique: can’t be predicted & difficult to quantify.( However we can trace trends& some phenomenon can be quantified: voting.

:Postbehavioralism Deconstructionism. Social

Constructivism.

:Deconstructionism -1 Main

Ideas: 1- International complexity defies description, explanation, & prediction. 2- There is no objective reality. Reality is affected by one’s beliefs.

3- The purpose of the scholar is to understand the motives of the actors by decconstructing the texts of their speeches.

Techniques:

1- Study texts, discourse, (what was omitted from it or included implicitly- hidden meaning – behind the lines) in the writings & speeches of policy makers to interpret world affairs (not goals or behaviors)

2- It tries to offer readings & interpretations, not observations.

3- It does not try to discover cause/effect relationships.

:Social Constructivism -2 Main

Ideas: 1- Self-interested states are the key actors in IR. 2- Their actions are determined not by anarchy but by the ways states socially “construct” & then respond to the meanings they give to power politics.

3- Emphasis on the shared ideas and understandings between actors & how they define their interests, identities & images of the world, & how shared images influence the ways actors behave (collective norms & social identities, culture of people & state actors). Ex: Being a liberal Democrat encourages intolerance of autocratic regimes….