realism + liberalism

liberalism

• states are not the only actors: NGO’s + IGO’s

• International law is possible and desirable

• cooperation offers mutual benefit

• a states primary aim should not merely be to become more powerful

realism

• nation states are the most legitimate and powerful actors

• anarchic society (nations are sovereign and will never accept the authority of any supranational institution)

• security dilemma - militaristic countries, nations threatened (nations should prioritize their own security)

• power maximize

realism and selfishness of humans

because humans are motivated solely by self gain, nation states act the same way, continually seeking power and prestige at the expense of lesser states

realism and security

survival is the highest goal, would come at the expense of liberal principles (democracy, human rights, free trade + rule of law)

Realism example

Britain leaving the EU (a liberal institution) - prioritizing national interests over international coorporation

inevitability of conflict

• states are likely to try to maximise their power

• no authority able to prevent conflict

• states put their own security at risk and make conflict more likely when they build up their own military defences to counter a perceived attack - encourages opposing states to build up their defences

Israel Palestine conflict

balance of power

most stable outcome for powerful states to balance each other out. (by matching military/economic power)

Mutually Assured Destruction - successfully ensured that there was no nuclear confrontation between the US and Soviet Union

consequences of international anarchy

IGO’s will be limited in their impact (IGO’s can’t force states to do anything, authority has been granted by states)

states can breach international law or commit human rights abuses within their state without fear of being held accountable

human rights abuses in by the Assad Regime and ISIL in Syria persisted for over a decade without international intervention

Free trade only exists because states have agreed to it

Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement with mostly Pacific states fell through in 2018 when Trump withdrew from the treaty, leading to a replacement excluding the US

states still have the power to act unilaterally and to ignore IGO’s or treaties

UK and US action in Iraq 2003 - went ahead without UNSC mandates

liberals + non state actors

can hold states accountable for their actions + ensure that all states conform to basic standards

• 2015 Paris Agreement saw 196 parties agree to limit carbon emissions

liberals and international trade

binds states together making them more dependent on each other + reducing chance of conflict

2008 financial crash

liberals - human rationality

humans are reasonable and rational, will be able to solve problems that occur in global politics if they work together

• COVAX initiative - global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID 19 vaccines