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Realism

• A crucial construct in international relations, emphasizing the competitive and conflictual nature of international politics

The Melian Dialogue

• An important text illustrating Realism
• Questions to consider include how realism advises policymakers and examples from the dialogue

Assumptions of Realism

• The international system is inherently anarchic
• States must be vigilant against potential attacks
• The primary focus for states is survival

Anarchy, Uncertainty, and Offensive Capability

• Key themes underlying realism
• Concepts of trust issues are represented by the "split or steal" metaphor

Power Dynamics

• Coercion and military strength are paramount in international disputes
• "In the game of international politics, clubs are trumps."
• States are the only signifiant participants in the international sphere

Dimensions of Power

• Emphasis is on military power
• Military power is influenced by population size and skill, economic strength, geopolitical factors, access to resources, national morale, and governmental decision making.

The Security Dilemma

• Power increase by one state causes anxiety among others, even if intentions appear benign
• States may enter arms races to secure their power
• Fear of being attacked first can compel states to initiate conflict, making war almost inevitable

Balancing, Bandwagoning, and Buckpassing

• Responses include Internal balancing, strengthening one’s own power
• External balancing involves forming alliances
• Bandwagoning aligning with the threatening state
• Buckpassing hoping others will counteract the threat

Temporary Alliance and Self-Interest

• Alliances based on shared interests are projective and may shift in response to power distributions
• The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939 between Germany and the USSR is an example

Balance of Power

• Maintains peace through distribution of power among states
• Countries engage in alliances that prevent outright victories in ways
• The costs of conflict outweigh potential gains

Implication of Anarchy

• States depend on individual self-help measures for survival

Liberalism

• A political and economic philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, democracy, and free market

Major Themes

• Reciprocity is a key proponent
• Interdependence is a key proponent
• Sub-state actors are a key proponent
• Institutions are a key proponent
• International law is a key proponent
• Democratic peace is a key proponent

Security Dilemma

• Can be accepted as an inevitable aspect of human nature
• Can have solutions in order to alleviate the dilemma

Major Themes of Liberalism

• Reciprocity involves actions based on reciprocal behavior between actors
• Mutual economic, political, cultural, and environmental reliance among states and non-state actors
• International institutions facilitate cooperation and interactions
• Democratic states are less likely to engage in war with other countries

Definitions

• Reciprocity involves actions performed mutually by actors based on each other's behavior
• Interdependence involves states and non-state actors relying on each other economically, politically, and culturally

Classroom discussion

• How was round 2 different from round 1?
• Did reciprocity emerge during you game?
• Were examples of interdependence observed?

Reciprocity and Economic Interdependence

• Economic connections reduce conflict likelihood
• Economic ties enhance growth, leading to increased power for states involved
• Conflict becomes more costly, providing a disincentive for war

Sub-State Actors and Interdependence

• Sub-state actors examples include multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations
• This pressure their governments to cooperate, reducing distrust and aiding in overcoming the security dilemma
• States are not the only relevant entities in international relations

Realism vs. Liberalism

• Realism focuses on state power and perceives states as threats

Liberalism and Interests

• States are composed of various interests, fostering international ties
• Interests seek opportunities for cooperation

Roles of Institutions in Interdependence

• G-20 Osaka Summit 2019

Diplomacy

• Frequent interaction through diplomacy reduces fear and uncertainty, fosters shared interests, and creates functional agreements

Major Inter-Governmental Organizations

• The United Nations, EU, G7, G20 etc.

International Law

• Emerges from international interactions, customs, and institutional rules
• States typically comply to maintain collective security and agreements

Democracy's Influence on Cooperation

• Democracies tend to be more cooperative and have more diverse interests
• Democratic states allow for Citizen accountability to limit aggressive policies and maintain transparency through a free press

Interdependence and Democratic Interaction

• Liberal expectations regarding state behavior are based on degrees of interdependence whether or not interacting states are democracies

Liberalism: Pathway to Peace

• Interdependence, international institutions, and democracy lead to prospects for peace
• Distrust, secretive alliances, and aggression lead to conflict and poverty

School of Thought: Liberalism vs Realism

• Realism highlights Mutual distrust
• Liberalism presents optimism through cooperation and institutions

Constructivism

• Theories of Power must be understood
• Feminism in International Relations must be understood

Understanding Power

• Power is the ability to compel others to take actions they otherwise might not take

Theoretical Perspectives on Power

• Realism derived from coercion

Realism components

• Military Power is central to realist theory
• Liberalism is an important element
• Power established through reciprocal relationships
• States can hold support

Importance of Non-State Actors

• Multinational Corporations
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Sub-state actors

Constructivism on Power

• Human behavior is influenced by ideas and understandings, more so than material self-interest

Constructivism Key Concepts

• Values are important/appropriate beliefs
• beliefs are what is possible or impossible -Identities is self-perception and perception of others

Identities and Behavior

• Internal identity influences behavior
• The Ukraine crisis affects Germany's identity in international relations
• External identity influences how others behave toward parties

Global Nuclear Arsenal Overview (2023)

• Estimated total nuclear warhead inventories reached more than 12,500

Trends in nuclear distribution

• Increasing stockpiles exist with the Chinese, Indian, North Korean, Pakistani, Russian and UK governments
• Stockpiles are stable in France and Israel
• Levels are decreasing in the USA and UK

Key Principles of Constructivism

Power exists in shared understandings

• Conflict arises when understandings differ Social constructions can change

Implications of Constructivism

• States perceptions shape anarchy and influences action
• Sub-state actors hold significant influence in global politics as an individual, Norms can shape global politics
• The world is subject to value change

Normative Focus

• International systems bias against people needs to be addressed

Empirical Focus

• Identity is a driver on Foreign policy
• Feminine Approches/dominace is discussed
• Womens roles advocate for policy change

Sovereignty

• Monopoly on legitimate use of force within a defined territory.

Sovereignty Implications

• There is supreme rule-making authority
• There can be no interference from actors
• There is border control
• There is Authority to make agreements with other countries

Characteristical Implications

• There are identifiable population figures
• There are defined boreders
• There is internal and external violence

Anarchy

• There is an absence of a universal political authority.
• States must be independent
• It is not chaos

The Prisoner's Dilemma Grid

• grid (Cooperate, Cooperate) yields (7, 7)
• (Cooperate, Defect) yields (0, 10)
• (Defect, Cooperate) yields (10, 0)
• (Defect, Defect) yields (3, 3)

International Relations

• This applies to situations where nations must decide whether to enter a conflict pursue collaboration etc.
• Since 1648, states have become dominant figures for soverignity
• This does not equal chaos

Levels of Analysis

• Categories of Analysis are as Follows ○ Individual ○ State ○ Foreign Policy ○ System

Tool for Analysis

• Academics and practitioners seek tools to identify causal chains in international politics. Key Questions of this are as follows: ○ What are sources of power? ○ What drives human behavior?

Levels of Perspective

• Simplifying Complexity
• Comparing Perspectives
• Improving Analysis

The Individual factor - Analysis Overview

• Examines influential leaders
• Foreign policy elites

Theoretical Perspectives on individual

• Realism: Humans are aggressive, diplomacy isnt used
• Liberalism: Highlights diplomacy/intelligence
• Constructivism: Focus identities and norms
• Marxism: Minimal

Influences on the State

○ Regime type and constitution ○ Domestic politics ○ Economic systems ○ National culture and public opinion

The State Level in Theory

• importance in domestic policy must be recognized
• Domestic interest can lead to international conflict
• Economic systems must maintain a crucial rule

System Level Analysis

• the power Distribution in international arena must be strong
• Transnational terms must be considered

In the System - Theoretical Perspectives

• Anarchy and distribution of power must be maintained
• Capitalisms impact and inequalities must be focused on
• shared norms and global beliefs must be focused on