Realist Assumptions
*Analytic unit: state is the principal actor.
*View of actor: state is unitary actor.
*Behavioral dynamic: in its foreign policy, the state is a rational actor seeking to maximize its own interest or objectives.
While realist recognize that nonstate actors exist, non state actors are not as important because, ultimately, they are responsible to state or are vulnerable to state action.
Anarchy: the absence of a higher authority. The absence of a high authority requires state to engage in self-help in other to guarantee their own security and other national interests. IOs are extentions of great powers.
Liberal assumptions
*Analytic unit: state and nonstate actors are important.
*View of actors: state disaggregated into components; some may operate transnationally.
*Behavioral dynamics: foreign policymaking and trans- national processes involve conflict, bargaining, coalition, and compromise—not necessarily resulting in optimal outcomes.
*Issues: multiple agenda with socioeconomic or welfare issues as, or more, important than national security.
Humans are self interested but are also cooperative economic creatures liberals see IOs in one of two ways, some see IOs as the early Institutions of world government. The IOs are evolving into supranational organizations that excercises authority and jurisdiction over nation state.
*Global governance is based on interations several kind of actors; state, individuals, interest groups, etc competing and working together.
Marxism Assumptions
*Analytic units: classes, states, societies, and nonstate actors operate as part of world capitalist system.
*View of actors: international relations viewed from historical perspective, especially the continuous development of world capitalism. *Behavioral dynamic: focus is on patterns of dominance within and between societies. *Issues: economic factors are most important. constructivism, and its theory of institutions being a socially constructed concept determined by the sharing of ideas; it will finally conclude with the idea that institutions play a crucial role in the international system.
* The idea of anarchy and power politics has been essentially reduced, and according to notable constructivist Alexander Wendt, “if today we find ourselves in a self-help world, this is due to process, not structure. There is no ‘logic’ to anarchy apart from the practices that create and instantiate one structure of identities and interests rather than another; structure has no existence or causal powers apart from process.” constructivism challenges both neo-realism and neo-liberal institutionalism by claiming that anarchy is not inherent in the state system, as affirmed by neo-realists, neither is it inexistent, as affirmed by neo-liberal institutionalists, it is, in truth, what States make of it. It asserts that institutions and structures, within the international system, are mutually constructed concepts by actors that employ social practice to define the ‘international realm.’ The previous theories, neo-realism and neo-liberal institutionalism, take for granted the idea that economic and military power is the primary source of influence in world politics. Constructivist theorists counter this, as they believe discursive power also plays a fundamental role in the understanding of the global political system. Constructivists deviate from the neorealist assumption that anarchy plays a crucial role in the behaviour of institutions, and alternately create a carefully depicted discourse of the role identity and interest in the shaping of international actors.
The neo-realist approach argues that international institutions are and always will be fundamentally ineffective, as they cannot prevent States from being self-interested and engaging in power politics. Scholars such as John Mearsheimer believe that institutions only have marginal power, giving way to an arena of power relations between States, making them a
of years, hence led emergence of idealism and realism as two major traditional philosophical schools of thought in the realm of philosophy. So this paper projects the meaning of idealism and meaning of realism then discusses in detail the basic assumptions of idealism and those of realism and how these two traditional schools of thought differ and their implications within the educational setting. Meaning…
small states but, it is often used by scholars who criticize the mainstream neo- or structural realist perception which predominates academic discourse on the subject matter. There are two crucial assumptions highlighted by critiques as being essential for conventional wisdom as related to the concept of foreign policy of small states. The two major assumptions of conventional wisdom derive from the neo-realist vision of states’ behavior in the international system. Neo-realism claims that it is the…
Philosophy of Science • How is ‘philosophy of science’ defined? - Philosophy of science is the study of assumptions, foundations, and implications of science. It can be divided into two different areas: Epistemology of science and Metaphysics of science. • List three things that philosophers of science are interested in. -The philosophers of science are interested in: 1. The history of concepts and terms and how they are currently used in science 2. Formal Logic 3. Scientific…
people wants to understand what is terrorism have to understand it through international relations theories. Realism The word Realism was from 19th century German realistic political word which is Realpolitik, however there are a lot of primary assumptions have been expressed from the earlier literatures. For example, an ancient Greek historian Thucydides who wrote the History of the Peloponnesian War has cited as an intellectual forbearer of Realpolitik2. In Thucydides views that Realism as a traditional…
crime rates , this meant that criminals were not deterred and recidivism rates were still high. The solution to this , to understand the cause of crime , to solve crime. Positivism occurred in the late 19th century and early 20th century .Their assumptions about criminal behaviour , was that determinism caused someone to become a criminal. They believe it is not the offenders fault and that they should be punished generously. Instead of trying to punish them harshly , the criminals should tried to…
Since the early 20th Century, Israelis and Palestinians have been fighting over the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. With the assumption that Palestine is a state to facilitate discussion, this report sketches out the most significant elements of the conflict on the three levels defined by Kenneth Waltz, and applies the Realist theory of international relations (IR) to the “Two-State” solution. Levels of analysis 1. First Level The first level focuses on individuals…
Theories of IR : Realism – explains international relations in terms of power. Realists and idealists differ in their assumptions about human nature, international order, and potential for peace. The most important single indicator of a states power is in GDP. Short term power capabilities depend on long term resources, both tangible and intangible. ‘ Military force is the most important power capability. Realists believe that there is international anarchy, meaning no central government- therefore…
thinker would be more in favor a collective security organization in times of hostility, in other words a council of world leaders that exists to prevent any one country from attacking another thusly acting in both long-term self and group interest. A realist might favor a collective defense agreement because it benefits the short-term self-interest of the nation by increasing defenses, but does not infringe on any abilities of the country, such as invading another country on its own accord without needing…
different actors in the system. Social constructivists put more emphasize on the role of ideas and argue that states decide what anarchy will be like- conflictual or cooperative. This essay sets out in the following manner. First, it explains the neo-realists conception of anarchy followed by constructivist’s criticism of structural realism. This would help in highlighting the key features of anarchy existing in each approach. The essay then follows on to shed light on the role of regional institutions…
However a Realist would counter that the formation of the league was a manifestation of Arab states’ sense of insecurity from the great powers of the time and as a result will only adhere to the organization’s policies if it suits their needs (Yitzhak, 2008). The League’s…