2.1 An Overview of IR Theory

Transcription

1 2.1 An Overview of IR Theory Below is an historical overview of the evolution of Idealism, Classical Realism and Neorealism, Institutionalism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism, and Feminism. Historical Overview Idealism Idealism s main concern focused on question of international peace. It was based on the belief that human nature is ultimately good and that dynamics of democratic, capitalist societies make these societies less prone to violence than other autocratic regimes. Peace in international relations is best achieved through creating democracies, engaging in international trade, and producing an international environment that facilitates cooperation. Within this context, there was an emphasis on the rule of law and a belief in institutions. Idealism was minimized as a theory after the U.S. Congress refused to join the League of Nations following WW I. Politics of appeasement in the run up to WW II also undermined liberal theory. Influences: Immanuel Kant, Woodrow Wilson Most influential time period: Prior to WW I Classical Realism Think of Classical Realism as a reaction to Idealism. Realists argued that human nature is aggressive, not altruistic. Its main concern focused on how states could survive in a Hobbesian (survival of the fittest) world. State leaders act to maximize power and only will cooperate in the short term if it serves their interests. Classical Realists looked to the experiences of WW I and WWII as evidence to support their position. Influences: Hans Morgenthau, E.H. Carr Most influential time period: Interwar period Neorealism (Defensive) Realism Neorealism abandons the individual as the main unit of analysis and shifts attention to the structure of the international system. The international system is anarchical and produces what is termed the security dilemma. The security dilemma exists because no state has complete information on what other states are doing. This being the case, a rational state will attempt to maximize power to insure its survival. In so doing, however, it produces greater aggregate instability as every other state must react and ratchet up there defense capabilities as seen during the Cold War or in present day tensions between India and Pakistan. Neorealists also debate if a unipolor, bipolar, or multipolar world order produces the most stability. Page 1 of 5

2 Influences: Kenneth Waltz, John Mearsheimer Most influential time period: Cold War Institutionalism Institutionalism rejects neorealist claims that the international system is characterized by anarchy. Rather, it is more accurate to think of international system as made up of rational states that exhibit growing interdependence. Interdependence creates incentives for cooperation among states as it offers mutual benefits to all parties involved. States learn cooperation through reciprocity (you do something for me, and I do something for you) or are forced to cooperate for sake of securing public goods (e.g., environmental standards, a stable global trading system). Institutionalists also focus on the free riding problem, which posits that nations will tend to cheat and not do their part in producing public goods. International institutions, such as the United Nations or World Trade Organization, can help in establishing and sustaining cooperation among states by reducing transaction costs, helping with monitoring (free riding problem), and offering third party mediation. Influences: Robert O.Keohane, Oran Yound Most influential time period: post-cold War Liberalism Liberal perspective shares the view of the international system as characterized by interdependence with institutionalism. Liberalism holds that states remain the main actor in international affairs, but that domestic interest groups play a crucial role in determining state behavior. Liberalism thus focuses on how domestic structures and actors affect foreign policy and international outcomes. Influences: Andrew Moravcsik Most influential time period: post-cold War Constructivism States are no longer the main actors in global affairs. They share the stage with intergovernmental organizations and non-state actors. Rules are not made by the strongest (realism) or only designed to promote state interests (institutionalism), but they have a life of their own and can be enforced by non-state actors. Actors follow a logic of appropriateness and not necessarily self-interest and a logic of consequences. International institutions teach states their identities and interests. They are not just part of a hegemonic project (neorealism) or a functional response to state/domestic needs (institutionalism). Constructivists focus on how the social environment of actors shapes their identities and behavior and this in turn impacts international relations. Page 2 of 5

3 Influences: Martha Finnemore, Kathryn Sikkink, Thomas Risse, Alexander Wendt Most influential time period: 1990s to today And sitting outside of the mainstream of IR Theory... Marxism Marxism views global relations primarily as a class struggle (the alter ego of liberal institutionalism) and argues that capitalism in not conducive with cooperation and peace. Lenin, for example, introduced the concept of imperialism to describe the tendency of capitalist states to compete for natural resources and market share. This completion, as seen in the early 20 th century, can lead to catastrophic war. Contemporary Marxists also focus on issues of global economic inequality, alienation, repression, and destructive nationalism. Feminism Feminism views global relations primarily from a gender perspective. There are three primary competing versions of feminism in IR: A liberal version ( liberal feminism ) is primarily interested in giving women exactly the same rights and opportunities as men. Its main goal is to move women into positions of power in the international system. A more essentialist version ( difference feminism ) rejects equality as the primary goal and argues that women as a gendered category have particular and innate characteristics that can produce a more peaceful world. Post-modern feminism focuses on the role of gender construction and how the social and psychological training of girls and boys, men and women impacts the international system. Questions asked by feminists include: how and why are women more vulnerable in times of war? Why are other theories of IR ignoring gender? How do women become victimized through rape, expulsion, etc.? How are women as a group affected by foreign policy decisions? Page 3 of 5

4 Today, there are five broad schools of IR that draw from the various theories outlined above. These include: Realism, Neoliberal Institutionalism, Constructivism, Marxism, and Feminism. What is the organizing principle? Realism Anarchy Neoliberal Institutionalism Interdependence Who are the main actors? States States, Institutions, Individuals Survival/power (protect domestic population) Economic gain and cooperation (maximize well-being) What are the core capabilities? Military Technology and economy Constructivism Marxism What is the organizing principle? Norms / Ideas Class Who are the main actors? States / IOs / NGOs Ruling Class and Working class / Corporations / States Solving global problems Ruling Class = profits and maintenance (maximize everyone s well-being) of capitalist social relations / Capitalist states promote ruling class interests Page 4 of 5

5 What are the core capabilities? Knowledge Private Property / Ownership of Means of Production / State Control Feminism What is the organizing principle? Gender / Patriarchy Who are the main actors? Those who maintain patriarchic gender roles Maintenance of patriarchic gender roles What are the core capabilities? Oppression / Sexual Violence /Unexamined Gender Roles Page 5 of 5