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Theories of International Relations

Theories of International Relations. Realism Idealism Constructivism. Realism I. Power: the ability to influence others Irrelevance of morality and ethics and law Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) Irrelevance of domestic political systems Why is power the only thing that matters? Human nature

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Theories of International Relations

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  1. Theories of International Relations • Realism • Idealism • Constructivism

  2. Realism I • Power: the ability to influence others • Irrelevance of morality and ethics and law • Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) • Irrelevance of domestic political systems • Why is power the only thing that matters? • Human nature • Anarchic world: no rules

  3. Realism II • All nations are self-reliant • To preserve peace use Balance of Power • US vs. USSR in Cold War • US—China—Japan in East Asia • Unipolarity cannot last • Nations will balance against US power

  4. England’s Balancing Act England Russia Prussia/Germany France Austria-Hungary

  5. The Cold War Balance of Power 1945-1990 Israel Syria/Egypt Ethiopia Somalia Taiwan China S. Korea N. Korea S. Viet Nam N. Viet Nam W. Berlin E. Berlin W. Germany E. Germany Britain/France/JapanPoland/Czech US USSR

  6. Unipolar World EU Japan Russia China India US

  7. Power?

  8. US: Weak Neighbors, Big Oceans

  9. Germany Strong Neighbors, Easy Access

  10. Power?

  11. Power? Shanghai, China

  12. Power? Jaipur, India

  13. Power? • Thailand Algeria South Korea

  14. Power?

  15. Idealism I • Power is not the only thing that matters • States have common interests and common values • Trade is the key common interest

  16. Idealism II • Global Marketplace • Interdependence • Desire for rules • Desire for predictability and stability • International system is based laws (Treaties) and institutions (UN, WTO) • International law

  17. UN General Assembly, New York

  18. International Court of Justice,The Hague, Netherlands

  19. WTO, Geneva

  20. Constructivism I • Nation-states are not all alike • Political culture shapes foreign policy • Form of government shapes foreign policy • History shapes foreign policy • Domestic political trends and debates shape foreign policy

  21. Constructivism II • States have identity • State identity influences the way states interact with each other • Examples: • China sensitivity to any policies of other states that threaten its unity and sovereignty • US desire to transform the world

  22. Russian fear of invasion

  23. China 21st Century

  24. Qin Dynasty 221-206 BC

  25. China: Tang Dynasty 618-907

  26. China: Qing Dynasty 1644-1911

  27. China: Colonized

  28. US: Woodrow Wilson, 1917 • “The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them. “

  29. US: GW Bush, 2005 • “And we have declared our own intention: America will stand with the allies of freedom to support democratic movements in the Middle East and beyond, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. “

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