realism variants: neorealism, structural realism, mercantilism (in ipe)
TRANSCRIPT
Realism
Variants: Neorealism, Structural Realism, Mercantilism (in IPE)
Thomas Hobbes1588-1679
• English Civil War• Chaos• Fear• People are rational • Need gov’t• The Leviathan¤
State of Nature
Social contractcreate government
The International System
Hans Morganthau1904-1980
• World Wars• Politics Among Nations• Lays out realist tenets
Realism
Premise• International relations dominated by states acting
in self-interest
Basic tenets1. States are the primary actors2. States are unitary, rational actors3. Relations are zero-sum4. Relations are power struggles5. National interest drives relations
RealismPrimary Actor(s)• States
Motivation for Relations• Self-help in chaotic system
View on Human Nature• Pessimistic
View of Int’l System• States in chaotic, competitive system
Ultimate goal in relations• Stability, self-preservation
HOBBESIn such condition as the state of nature there is • no place for industry • no culture of the earth • no navigation• nor use of the commodities that may be imported
by sea • no commodious building • no knowledge of the face of the earth• no account of time, arts, letters, or society
¤
HOBBES…instead, there is, which is worst of all• continual fear, and danger of violent death• and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and
short ¤
“For as to the strength of body, the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest, either by secret machination or by confederacy with others that are in the same danger with himself.”
1) States are the primary actors2) States are unitary, rational actors3) Relations are zero-sum4) Relations are power struggles5) National interest drives relations
“And therefore if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies; and in the way to their end … endeavour to destroy or subdue one another.”
1) States are the primary actors2) States are unitary, rational actors3) Relations are zero-sum4) Relations are power struggles5) National interest drives relations
“Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man.”
1) States are the primary actors2) States are unitary, rational actors3) Relations are zero-sum4) Relations are power struggles5) National interest drives relations
“Where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice.”
1) States are the primary actors2) States are unitary, rational actors3) Relations are zero-sum4) Relations are power struggles5) National interest drives relations
Liberalism
Variants: Neoliberalism, Idealism, Neoinstitutionalism
Jean Jacques Rousseau1712-1778
• Enlightenment• Social beings• Cooperation• Need gov’t• The Social Contract¤
Woodrow Wilson1856-1924
• World War I• Cooperation• 14 Point Plan• Ideas picked up in 1970s¤
Liberalism
Premise• International relations benefit from cooperation
among multiple actors
Basic tenets1. Multiple actors matter2. Relations can be positive sum3. Relations are based on more than just power
struggles4. Zero-sum relations benefit the wealthy
LiberalismPrimary Actor(s)• States, IGOs, NGOs, MNCs, leaders, etc.
Motivation for Relations• Cooperative, collaborative
View on Human Nature• Optimistic
View of Int’l System• Cooperation is beneficial to greatest number of people
Ultimate goal in relations• Cooperation for mutual benefits
Rousseau
“Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.”
“But the social order is a sacred right which is the basis of all other rights. Nevertheless, this right does not come from nature, and must therefore be founded on conventions.”
1) Multiple actors matter2) Relations can be positive sum3) Relations are based on more than just power struggles4) Zero-sum relations benefit the wealthy
“Let us then admit that force does not create right, and that we are obliged to obey only legitimate powers .”
1) Multiple actors matter2) Relations can be positive sum3) Relations are based on more than just power struggles4) Zero-sum relations benefit the wealthy
“I suppose men to have reached the point at which the obstacles in the way of their preservation in the state of nature show their power of resistance to be greater than the resources at the disposal of each individual for his maintenance in that state.”
1) Multiple actors matter2) Relations can be positive sum3) Relations are based on more than just power struggles4) Zero-sum relations benefit the wealthy