RADICAL THEORIES

30
 RADICAL THEORIES

Social Classes Class conflicts

Wars
Means of
Economics
production

IR = class struggle

Peace = Proletarian internationalism

31
RADICAL THEORIES

l Marxism
– Capitalism aims at economic profits
deploy the global market internationalizing
capitalism become dominant

– Capitalism based on class exploitation

exploiting proletarian class
internationalizing class struggle
“Workers of the world, united!”
32
 RADICAL THEORIES

l Leninism
– Increasing confront. of imperialist powers War
– Deepening class conflicts Proletarian revolution
– P. Revolution happens only at the weakest chain of
capitalism
– Other ideas: states, nations, and classes
“Workers and oppressed peoples and
nations of the world, united!” 33
34
CONSTRUCTIVISM

35
 CONSTRUCTIVISM
Norms & Identity
(Individual & group)
Perception
Community

Role of Elites Construction

IR = unpredictable

Peace = Peace construction

37
 Comparison of theories
• Realism posits that states exist in an anarchic
international system.
– Each state bases its policies on an interpretation of national
interest defined in terms of power.
– The structure of the international system is determined by the
distribution of power.
• Liberalism argues that humans form states that generally
cooperate and follow international norms and procedures.
• Radical theory is rooted in economics: actions of
individuals are determined by their social class.
• Constructivists argue that the key structures are inter-
subjective and social.
 Comparison of theories
VIEWS (Neo-) Realism (Neo-) Liberalism Constructivism

Human nature Pessimistic ??? ???

Core concepts ??? Cooperation ???

Interdependence

Conflict in system ??? Central, but not

inevitable

International system Anarchical ??? ???

Main cause of conflict States pursuing ??? ???

conflicting self-interests

Path to peace Achieve balance of ??? ???

power
To summarise