Theories of World Politics

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Chapter 2

• Theories of World Politics

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Concepts

• Geopolitics the relationship between geography,
  state power, and world politics
• Current history approach focuses on description
  of events rather than theoretical explanations of
  events

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Liberalism

• holds that reason and ethics can overcome
  international anarchy to create a more orderly
  and cooperative world
• stresses the importance of international
  institutions
• also associated with idealism

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Aspects of Liberalism

• unity of humankind more important than national
  loyalties
• importance of the individual and promotion of
  human rights and civil liberties
• using ideas and education to promote world peace
• free international trade

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Aspects of Liberalism, cont.

• an end to secret diplomacy
• terminate interlocking bilateral alliances
• self-determination of nationalities
• promotion of democracy

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Realism

• Anarchy characterizes the international system.
• World politics is a struggle among
  self-interested states for power.
• Each state pursues its national interest.
• Realpolitik--states should be prepared for war
  in order to preserve peace

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Realisms Tenets

• People are selfish and ethically flawed and
  compete for self-advantage.
• People have an instinctive lust for power.
• Eradicating this instinct is not possible.
• International politics is a struggle for power.
• The prime obligation of the state is promoting
  the national interest.

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Realisms Tenets, continued

• Anarchical international system requires states
  to acquire military power.
• Military power is more important than economics
  Self-help to ensure security
• Do not trust allies.
• Resist international efforts to control state
  protection and institute global governance.
• Seek flexible alliances to maintain a balance of
  power

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Criticism of Realism

• could not explain increased cooperation after
  World War Two
• many of its propositions not easily testable
  criticized by behavioral scientists
• disregards ethical principals
• focuses on military might at economic and social
  expense of states

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Summary
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Neorealism

• accepts much of realism
• states behavior determined by differences in
  relative power
• all states have same objectives, but different
  capacities to realize them
• distribution of capacities determines structure
  of the international system
• global level of analysis

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Neoliberalism

• developed by critics of realism/neorealism
• focuses on how IGOs and other nonstate actors
  promote cooperation and peace
• examines how states cooperate with other and
  de-emphasize conflict
• points to regional integration, especially the
  European Union

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Feminist Critique

• women mostly excluded from power in world
  politics
• male policymakers downplay importance of global
  injustices to women
• sexism as a pillar of war system
• realism inattentive to human rights and
  rationalizes aggression
• feminist theory focuses on increasing
  international cooperation

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Transnational Interdependence

• complex interdependence growing ties among
  transnational actors increases both vulnerability
  and sensitivity
• globalization
• integration and growing interdependence of states
  through increasing contact and trade
• creates a global culture
• decreases the ability of states to control people
  and events

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International Regimes

• institutionalized or regularized patterns of
  cooperation with respect to a given issue or
  problem according to established rules
• World Trade Organization
• International Monetary Fund
• nuclear nonproliferation

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Table 2.1 The Quest for Theory Five Major
Perspectives
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Table 2.1 The Quest for Theory Five Major
Perspectives, cont.
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Discussion

• Does the nature of the international system
  change over time?