Realist and Liberal Approaches to IR

What are the 3 “S” principles of realism?

state-centric, self-help, and survival

How do realists view alliances?

as temporary and interest-based rather than on friendship or trust

What do realists say about human nature?

Humans are naturally aggressive, self-interested, and resolve conflicts through force unless restrained

What is the main difference between realists and neorealists?

realists believe human nature determines state behavior and neorealists believe the international system (anarchy) does

How do liberals view human nature?

As cooperative, capable of progress, and driven by rational collaboration

What does realism suggest about the predictability of war?

war is always at risk when status or survival is threatened

What lesson does the Melian Dialogue illustrate?

power dominated justice, the strong impose their will on the weak

According to realists, what is the “currency” in IR?

power

What psychological experiments support realist ideas?

Milgram (obedience to authority) and Zimbardo (internalizing violent roles)

What happened to the Melians after they refused to surrender?

men were killed and women and children were enslaved

What is. a key criticism of liberalism?

it struggles to explain human failure to cooperate and assumes universal rationality

Why do liberals emphasize international institutions?

they promote laws, norms, and cooperation, reducing conflict

What is the liberal concept of a positive-sum game?

both parties gain through cooperation, such as trade

How do realists view neutrality?

as only viable when it serves the interest of the powerful

What is 0-sum game?

one gains, the other loses (realism)