Lecture 3 - The concept of Realism Vs Liberalism.How different theorist explain this?
- 2. QUIZ 1 Note: Attempt any two from the following. Q1: Briefly explain the difference between Realism and Liberalism, also highlight the four main characteristics of a state? Q2: Define the following terms. a. Anarchy b. Nation State c. Power d. Sovereignty Q3: What is the League of Nation and why was it formed?
- 3. What is Realism? ► No single theory reliably explains the wide range of international interactions, but one theoretical framework that has historically held a central position in the study of IR is Realism. ► “A broad intellectual tradition that explains international relations mainly in terms of power”.
- 4. Core Premises of REALISM 1. Human selfishness (‘egoism’) . 2. State-centrism – sole primary actors or units. 3. Humans/States are rational actors. 4. The absence of international government (‘anarchy’). The conjunction of anarchy and egoism and the resulting imperatives of power politics provide the core of realism.
- 6. Realism Realism is actually a fairly large tent. However, Realists of all stripes agree: States are the most important actors in the international system – Statism. Anarchy has a powerful effect on state behavior – Self Help. And that at the end of the day all politics is power politics.
- 7. CLASSICAL REALISTS ►They paid attention to ideas as well as material power. ►Classical realists had more of a humanistic approach to world politics than a scientific one. ► In History of Western Political Thought; following historians and philosophers are considered prominent classical Realist: 1. Thucydides- National interests are most important. 2. Niccolò Machiavelli . 3. Thomas Hobbes.
- 8. Anarchy VS Hierarchy ► In a Hierarchical System, different kinds of units performing different functions are organized under a clear line of authority. ► In an Anarchical System, units that are functionally similar, even though they differ dramatically in capabilities, conduct relations with one another.
- 9. Anarchy VS Hierarchy ► If there is hierarchy of power and population, there is order. ► However, in International system, there is no overarching government above a population of legally equal sovereign states. ► Therefore, the triangle of order reverses. The hierarchy that we find in the Domestic/ National level politics, gets reversed at the International level, and turns into anarchy due to lack of governance.
- 10. Structural Realism ► Structural Realists argue that human nature and attitudes, is not the only determining factor behind the conduct of a states’ relations with other states. ► They differentiate from Classical Realists on this assumption.
- 11. Types of Structural Realism TWO STRANDS OF STRUCTURAL REALISM: •Defensive Realism by Kenneth Waltz- Acquiring power and security that is enough for survival. •Offensive Realism by John Mearsheimer- to maximize their relative power position under anarchy, to seek global hegemony to dominate other states, which leads to Great power competition.
- 12. Organizing Principle – Anarchy vs Hierarchy
- 13. What is Liberalism? ►An approach that emphasizes that international law, morality, and international organizations, rather than power alone, are key influences on international relations.
- 14. What is Liberalism? ► Liberalists want to avoid pain and war and are willing to cooperate for peace. Therefore, their main interest is not to gain power. ► The core concern of liberalism is the happiness and contentment of individual human beings and their belief in progress.
- 15. Core Assumptions of Liberalism: 1. They believe individuals/ humans are rational actors who are capable of learning through experiences. 2. Rational individuals agree to willingly cooperate, to achieve peace, prosperity, pleasure and liberty, by getting into a social contract to form a state (Community). 3. Such a Liberal state is Democratic in nature and has a law-based society i.e., the state has a constitution and provides the individuals with rights, specifically, the right to choose.
- 17. Liberalism Rational individuals would never want to resort to war since it disrupts peace, business/ trade, and progress, bringing destruction and inflicting huge pain. When people use their reasoning to avoid conflict, they can achieve mutually beneficial cooperation not only within states but also across international boundaries.
- 18. Classic Liberalism ►Liberalism is connected with the emergence of a modern Liberal Constitutional state. ►It seeks to project values of liberty, justice, and tolerance into international relations.
- 19. Classical Liberals In History of Western Political Thought; following historians and philosophers are considered prominent classical liberals: 1. John Locke. 2. Immanuel Kant. 3. Jeremy Bentham. All the liberal philosophers are looking at the ways of how to achieve peace and cooperation.
- 20. Revival of Liberalism However, as transnational economic interdependence increased, the late 1960s and 1970s saw a revival of interest in liberal theories. The two world wars and the failure of collective security in the interwar period had discredited liberal theories.
- 21. Neo- Liberalism ► An approach that stresses the importance of international institutions in reducing the inherent conflict that realists assume in an international system; ► the reasoning is based on the core liberal idea that seeking long-term mutual gains is often more rational than maximizing individual short-term gains. ► Neoliberals argue that reciprocity can be an effective strategy for achieving cooperation in a situation of conflicting interests.
- 22. Neo- Liberalism ► The neoliberal approach differs from earlier liberal approaches in that it concedes to realism several important assumptions ► States are unitary actors rationally pursuing their self-interests in a system of anarchy ► States achieve cooperation fairly often because it is in their interest to do so.
- 23. The End of History – Francis Fukuyama ► There was another surge of liberal optimism after the end of the Cold War IN 1989, propelled by the notion of ‘the end of history’. ► Francis Fukuyama predicted that this is the end point of mankind’s ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government. ► When Francis Fukuyama proclaimed, ‘the end of history’, he was endorsing the progress of liberal ideas in the world
- 24. Assigned Reading: The End of History Was Francis right?
- 25. Referred Reading