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Theories
I D E A L I S M / L I B E RA L I S M
Historical Background
Why did discipline of IR started in 1919?
Locating the reasons behind WW I and to prevent world community from such a
disaster in future.
Emmanuel Kant & Jeremy Bentham had already given the concept of Liberal
Internationalism, key concept of this L.I was the idea of HARMONY.
Kants idea of Perpetual Peace,
Democratic states dont fight with
each other because they are the true
representative of masses and masses
dont want war.
Theories and Concepts before WWI to understand causation of War
Contextualizing W.W.I
Can we apply Cost & Benefit System? NO, Britain & Germany had highly Interdependent economies
Can we apply Self Defense System? NO, It was a war no one wanted at first
place.
Then Why did WWI occurred?
To what an extent International System was responsible?
How to reform International System to prevent such wars?
OUT COME of these questions was the Idealistic Approach of IR /I D E A L I S M
Before studying the theory it is pertinent to have an analysis of the situation.
i.e. Why WWI occurred?
Alliance System
1) Domestic
Analogy there are two
principle requirements for a new
world order.
A) Progress is Possible: states, leaders, intellectuals,
public opinion.
3) Right of Self
Determination
Freedom movements lead to war.
Strong advocates of Decolonization
5) HARMONY OF INTEREST
promoting INTER-DEPENDENCY THEORY,
that it is Economy which matters and wars
effect trade.
Harmony of Interest of masses is economy
and trade, people dont like wars
6) OPEN DIPLOMACY
Public Opinion is a constructive force.
Secret Diplomacy should be condemned.
Diplomatic ties should be checked by
public.
REALISM
The idealist theorists miss-read the
facts of history. They ignored or overlooked
the essential nature of International Relations.
There biggest blunder was their concept of
Harmony of Interest between people and
between states. The idealists ignored the fact
that some states are better off than others,
and these states want to keep and defend
their privilege positions but the HAVE
NOT states
will always struggle to change that
situation,
therefore International Relations is
the
struggle between such conflicting
interests/ desires
and
that is why the discipline of IR should deal
the issues, more and more, in terms of conflict
rather than co-operation.
E.H.Carr
3) CONFLICT OF INTEREST
National Interest is more important for a state than Collective interest
National Interest of a state is sum total of security, material benefits,
political and strategic concessions.
States are not dead institutions but like living beings, states
compromise/ sacrifice only in her National Interest.
For States there is always an underlying principle of CLASH of
INTEREST not HARMONY of INTEREST.
ANARCHY
SELF HELP
SYSTEM
SERVIVAL &
SECURITY
Both demands
POWER to
safeguard a state
from enemies
5) Raison d'tat
Also known as Reason of a state.
Interest is
defined in
terms of
Power
Importance
of Diplomacy
Autonomy of
the Political
Sphere
Categorizatio
ns of National
Interest
Moral
Principles vs
State Actions
Did R E A L I S M work?
Your assignment for next week
Q: Realism is neither realistic nor
consistent. Write a comprehensive
critique on the flaws of classical
Realist approach to IR.
Neo Realism
Kenneth Waltz Theory of
International Politics
NR can be defined through three
schools of thought namely Structural
Realism, Modern Realism and
Security Studies.
Security Studies
Defensive Realism: Our assumptions of
relations with other states depends on
whether they are friends or enemies.
Offensive Realism: Relative power is
more important not Absolute power.
Offensives critique on Defensives: IR is a
prisoners dilemma game.
Neo Liberalism
Robert Keohane & Joseph S. Nye, Power and Inter
dependence: World Politics in Transition
It focuses on Political Economy, Human Rights,
greater economic partnerships, Environmental issues
Four major variants in neo-liberal school of thought
also known as Pluralism
Commercial Liberalism, Republican Liberalism,
Sociological Liberalism and Liberal Institutionalism
Neo Liberalism
Commercial Liberalism: advocates free trade, capitalist
economy for peace and prosperity. This view can easily be found
in global financial institutions, major trading states and MNCs
Republican Liberalism: Democratic states are more inclined to
respect the rights of their citizens and are less likely to go to war
with their democratic neighbors. In contemporary context this
view is presented as DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY
Sociological Liberalism: Process of interdependence is more
important. Transnational activities and increasing link among
people compel governments to become more interdependent. It
becomes difficult for a state to act unilaterally and to avoid
cooperation.
Neo Liberalism
Liberal Institutionalism :
a) most convincing challenge to realists and neo
realists. Peace and Prosperity is to have
Institutions. For collective good, state should
sacrifice some part of her sovereignty.
b) Core assumptions of Neo Liberals
1. States are key actors but not only actors
2. Absolute gain not relative gain
3. Greatest Obstacle to successful cooperation is noncompliance or cheating by states.
Neo Liberals
a) Neo Realists
minimized the
importance of
International
Interdependence,
globalization etc
Neo Realists
a) Neo-Liberals
minimized the
importance of
SURVIVAL
Neo Liberals
a) Cooperation is easy to
achieve
b) Importance of International
Instittutions
Neo Realists
a) International cooperation
will not happen unless states
make it happen.
b) It is hard to achieve,
difficult to maintain and only
dependent on states power
(capabilities)
2) Questions of Cooperation?
Neo Liberals
a) Neo Liberals want to
maximize the total amount of
gains for all parties involved.
b) Absolute gain is
COLLECTIVE GOOD not
National Interest of a
particular state.
Neo Realists
a) Neo Liberals overlooked the
importance of Relative gains.
b) Fundamental goal of states
in cooperative relations is to
prevent others from gaining
more.
Neo Liberals
a) Emphasize on Intentions
and preferences
Neo Realists
a) Emphasize on capabilities
over intentions
b) Capabilities are essential
for security and
Independence
c) Uncertainty over
Intentions of other states
Neo Liberals
a) Institutions can
facilitate cooperation
b) States should
respect Institutions
for a greater common
good.
Neo Realists
a) Institutions can not
address the problems
linked with Anarchy
b) States are not
subservient to
Institutions
5) Importance of Institutions
Neo Liberals
a) Economic
Welfare,
Collective Good.
Neo Realists
a) Relative
Power, Security,
Survival
6) Difference of Domains