One%20World%20Many%20Theories

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One World Many Theories
Realism Neo-Realism
Liberalism Neo-Liberal Institutionalism Democratic Peace Theory Two-Level Games
Constructivism
Feminist Theory
Marxism
Dependency Theory
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World War I
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Three Levels of Analyses

• Third Image Structural causes of WWI
• Second Image Domestic politics causes
• First Image The role of leadership,
  decision-making

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Balance of Power Politics

• BOP description of distribution of power between
  states
• Unipolar system Hegemony
• Bipolar system
• Multipolar system
• Conscious policy intended to achieve BOP through
• Arms build up
• Alliances align with the weaker side
• Divide and rule territorial compensations
  spheres of influence

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Power

• Ability to influence
• Through threats and reward hard power
• Through attraction soft power
• Control over resources
• Arms, population, economy, technology,
  information, etc.

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BOP in Europe 19th century

• Concert of Europe 1815-1970
• German Unification 1870
• Change in the distribution of power
• Otto von Bismarck German Chancellor, 1870-1890

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Balance of Power and WWI

• Rise of German power
• Rigid alliances trying to balance each other
• Triple Entente
• Triple Alliance
• Perceptions about the inevitability of war

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Second Image Causes

• Nationalism
• Austria-Hungarian empire internally challenges
• Balancing through territorial re-distribution
  more difficult
• Diversion from domestic problems
• Rye and Iron coalition
• Militarism
• Military hawks the Sclieffen Plan advantage of
  the offensive
• Imperialism?

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First Image Individuals

• Incompetent leadership?
• Franz Josef tired old man
• Nicholas II domestic isolation, incompetent
  ministers
• Kaiser William II neurotic, sense of
  inferiority
• Could the war be averted by more capable
  leadership?

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• What did realist, liberal, and constructivist
  approaches add to understanding WWI?

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Which Factors Do You Consider Most Significant in
Explaining WWI?

• Alliance system
• Public opinion
• Economic considerations
• Military doctrine
• Leadership
• Misperception
• Other