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Theories of IR: Liberalism

Theories of IR: Liberalism. PO 325: International Politics. Liberalism. Most Cogent Critique of Realism; Also Known as Idealism Less Emphasis on Roles of Power and Security; More Emphasis on Capacity of Humans to Learn, Cooperate, Avoid Security Dilemma

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Theories of IR: Liberalism

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  1. Theories of IR: Liberalism PO 325: International Politics

  2. Liberalism • Most Cogent Critique of Realism; Also Known as Idealism • Less Emphasis on Roles of Power and Security; More Emphasis on Capacity of Humans to Learn, Cooperate, Avoid Security Dilemma • Importance of Use of International Institutions to Mitigate Anarchy • Importance of Domestic Politics – Fallacy of Unitary Action • Democratic Peace Proposition

  3. Liberalism • Mix of Traditional Liberal Philosophy and Recent Developments (Neoliberalism) • Human Nature is Good and Altruistic, or At Least Perfectible (Locke) • World is as Much About Altruism as Self-Interest • Absolute Over Relative Gains • International Animosity Over Relative Gains Can Be Eradicated Through Learning, Education, Camaraderie

  4. Liberalism • Anarchy IS the State of Nature (Some Disagree); But it Can Be Somewhat Overcome In Many Ways 1. Spirit of International Law / Norms Superseding Power As Final Arbiter 2. Implementation of Law/Spirit by International Organizations

  5. Liberalism 3. Norm-Sharing States Can Band Together to Check The Aggression of Others (COLLECTIVE SECURITY) 4. Contemporary Notion: No IOs or Government Necessary – Cooperation Can Evolve Through Repeated Interaction Among States Focusing on Long-Term Absolute Gains (“Shadow of the Future”)

  6. Neoliberalism Posits that Post-WWII changes in the International System have led to a fundamental shift in the way states interact • Development of Norms (e.g., Reciprocity, Human Rights) Decreases Applicability of Use of Force

  7. Neoliberalism • In Addition, the Interconnectedness of States Diminishes Sovereignty and Autonomy – Decreases Applicability of Realist Assumptions and Makes Power Different in Different Issue Areas • (Example: OPEC and the USA in the 1970s) • State Not the Only Relevant Actors (IOs, Sub-State Actors)

  8. Liberalism, Unitary Action, and the Democratic Peace • Liberalism Considers Some Rational Choice Assumptions of Realism to be Inapplicable • Treating Preferences as Fixed and Universal is Inaccurate • Emotion, Psychological Factors, and Domestic Pressures Influence Interactions • Unitary Assumption is Flawed • Numerous Domestic Factors (Actors, Traditions, Governments) Influence International Interactions Like War

  9. Liberalism, Unitary Action, and the Democratic Peace • Most Importantly: Regime Type Matters • Either Because of Shared Norms or Intense Deliberation of Decisions, DEMOCRATIC STATES DON’T FIGHT EACH OTHER • Democracies Appear, However, Just as Likely to Fight Non-Democracies as Other Non-Democracies

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