Introduction to International Relations – Summary of readings

Global Politics – Chapter 1 – Andrew Heywood

 World Affairs
 International paradigm
 States are the main unit.
 Relations between states = world affairs
 Globalization paradigm (80’s onwards)
 Global interconnectedness + interdependence
 No disaggregated collection of states. An integrated whole
 Different paradigms explain world affairs. Each is equally valid.
 Global politics
 2 definitions, equally valid
 Worldwide. Outermost level (IOs ex. UN, environment, economy)
 Comprehensive. All elements of the system. All levels (G, R, N, SN)
 Worldwide
 F
 F


Realism and utopianism revisited – Michael Nicholson

Aim of the article
 Realism and utopianism have developed into modern variants

Edward Carr’s opinion on realism and utopianism

 Rea
 Understand significance of power in international scene
 Utopianism
 Principles are impractical and dangerous

 Compared to realism, utopianism does not form a coherent theoretical tradition

 Modern versions of utopianism: environmentalism, feminism
 Tenets shared by the existing versions of realism:
1. States are the main actors.
 Introduction to International Relations – Summary of readings

2. System of states is anarchic

3. Power-security principle is the mode of interaction
4. States may become predators and intimidate weaker powers
5. Internal and external politics are separate
 Limitations with the realism as a tool for analysis
1.
2. Does not address nonstate events (nonstate wars, genocides, globalization)
3. Other actors are hierarchically inferior to states (MA).
 Observation 1: Economic actors (MNC) would be subordinated to the
will of states. Unrealistic. Endogenous variables not subordinated to
security variables.
4. Neglect of irrational factors (racism, religious fundamentalism and other
complex human motivations)
5. F
6. F
7. f
 Introduction to International Relations – Summary of readings

Global Politics pages 55-64 – Andrew Heywood

 No one sees the world just as it is.
 Theory gives shape and structure to an otherwise shapeless and confusing
reality
 Dominant mainstream theories – realism and liberalism
 Classical Realist authors (pessimist view of human nature)
 Thucydides
 Sun Tzu
 Machiavelli
 Thomas Hobbes
 Realism – unending conflict.
 Core assumptions:
1. State egoism and conflict (state-centric. Survival. Morgenthau
1962 social world is but a projection of human nature onto the
collective plane)
2. Statecraft and national interest (well-being of its citizens)
3. International anarchy and implications
4. Polarity, stability and the balance of power
 Realists and neorealists believe conflict can be constrained by a
balance of power
 Balance system -
 Multipolar system – instability and likelihood of war
 Offensive realists – states prioritize power above anything else
 Defensive realists – prioritize security over power
 Classical Realism: power politics in terms of egoism
 Neorealism or structural realism: PP in terms of anarchy
 Kenneth Waltz – Theory of International Politics 1979. IP can be
developed on 3 levels of analysis. Human Individual, State, International
System.
 Classical realism cannot explain behavior at level above the state.
 Neoclassical realism explains behavior of states in terms of structure
of International System
1. Self-help
2. Security dilemma
3. Relative gains
 Liberalism
 Pre WWI – Idealism
 Kant -universal and perpetual peace
 Just war thinkers – Thomas Aquinas

 F
 Critical theory (Frankfurt school critical theory, Marxist-inspired international)
 Introduction to International Relations – Summary of readings

theory)
 Gramsci inspired ideas. Capitalist class is upheld by hegemony of
bourgeouis ideas and theories. Hegemony means leadership and
domination, capacity of bourgeois ideas to displace rival views and
become common sense of the age.
 Introduction to International Relations – Summary of readings

Why states act through formal international organizations – Abbot, Snidal

 Introduction to International Relations – Summary of readings

Achieving cooperation under anarchy – Axelrod & Keohane

 Cooperation is not equivalent to harmony.

 Cooperation occurs when actors adjust their behavior to pref. of others.
 Mutuality of interest, shadow of the future, # of players.
 MOI – depends on actors- perceptions of their own interests
 Jervis – BOP to concerts, after WW’s payoff matrix is stag hunt
 Prisoner’ D. Concern about future promotes cooperation. SOF
 Small banks participating in a rescheduling – Large banks
