Theory II.

Pluralism
Pluralism or Complex Interdependence
In a lot of respects, Pluralism has broadened the Realist agenda of International Politics.
Not just security issues matter, not just those actors (states, political leaders) most
concerned with security matter.
o Joseph Nye – Professor at Harvad Kennedy School of Government

Pluralism allows for more room with concern with the other. Ability and willingness for
cooperation are central features of human interaction (at all levels). Norms and rules have
an important role to play.
Dependence and Interdependence
Dependency

 Realists: Dependence is vulnerability – negative.

Security dependency: (Ex. Cold War) Europe was more dependent on security assistance
by the USA than the other way around. Similar relationships existed between the USA and
Japan, South Korea and Japan.
Interdependence

 Pluralists: Interdependence is sensitivity, and it is positive.

Mutual dependence. Reciprocal effects among countries or among actors in different
countries
Interconnectedness
The flow international transactions: money, gods, people, messages (globalization)
Assumptions of Pluralism
1. Multiple Channels
This means that a large number of individuals and institutions will interact across borders.
International organization is an important avenue to set the agenda and arena for coalition
building (increasing influence of “weak” states).
2. Multiple Issues
There is a large number of issues that can become part of the international agenda. A
priori, no specific order of importance is specified. The issue will determine the goals of
states and their concern. Linkage across issues is often possible, but it may be actually
more difficult to link non-security issues with security issues (eroding the interest of
“strong” states).
3. Military force is not the primary instrument to be used or considered with complex
interdependence
Military capabilities are not so important compared to other sources of power: a strong and
diverse economy, industry, diplomatic advantages (ability to form coalitions), multinational
companies, NGO’s, etc.
Most of the time, most states interact quite peacefully with each other and even seem the
adhere to some general norms or principles. The main conclusion of pluralists is that,
although conflict is always latent, systems differ in their ability to handle conflict.
In the international system, we should therefore try those mechanisms that have proven
successful (peace communities: Deutsch).
Commercial Liberalism
Gains from Trade
Trade provides for a “natural” harmony of interests. Britain isn’t the best place in the world
to grow grapes, but it is a good place to sit inside and read books (or to manufacture
something).
In theory, a division of labor and trade allows people to have better, more comfortable,
lives. This is true within a country, but also for persons from different countries.
o Transnationalism: Companies invest abroad, and this have interests in other
countries.
o Reason “the emergence of the trading state”: War interrupts trade, and the more
we benefit from trade, the quicker we should learn that war isn’t worthwhile.
States with more extensive trade and other commercial relations this tend to fight each
other less. Why? War would interrupt trade and more trade makes war more (too) costly.