POL%204410%20Lecture%206

1
POL 4410 Lecture 6

• Theories of Globalization

2
Structure

1. What is a theory?
2. Components of Theories
3. Liberalism / Realism / Marxism / Cultural
4. 1970s end of Bretton Woods
5. Rise of China

3
What is a Theory?

• Set of assumptions about human behavior
• Accept or reject theories based on evidence. But
  problem with evidence.
• Theoretical debates turn into interpretations
• Incommensurate metatheories

4
Core Assumptions of Theories

• Unit of Analysis
• Goal of Unit
• Identity of Unit
• Rationality of Unit
• Systemic vs. Individualistic
• Positive Sum vs. Zero Sum
• Role of History
• Role of the State

5
Liberalism
6
Wolf and Wooldridge

• Emphasis that markets encourage individual
  liberty - both political and economic
• Expansion of free trade is a net good
• Government role must be limited

7
Realism
8
Keohane and Nye

• Are not realists!
• But they describe realism and how it differs from
  complex interdependence
• Can economics and security be separated?

9
Marxism
10
Hobsbawn and Wallerstein

• Development of global economy IS the development
  of capitalism
• Split into core, semi-periphery and periphery
• Classes unite across globe

11
Cultural Theories
12
Huntington

• End of the Cold War - fought between similar
  civilizations means that future conflicts will be
  between different civilizations.
• Culture defines security but also trading blocs.

13
John Meyer et al

• Story is of dominant world culture to which all
  new nations aspire
• Is this simply a Western culture?
• Does this allow for multidirectional change?
• What about security?

14
1970s End of Bretton Woods

• LIBERAL
• REALIST
• MARXIST
• CULTURAL

15
Rise of China

• LIBERAL
• REALIST
• MARXIST
• CULTURAL

16
Next Week

• Is sovereignty at bay?
• Whats going on within states?
• How much convergence is going on?
• In particular, how is the governments domestic
  role affected by globalization, if at all?