PLS 232 Political Science: Key Terms & Definitions

Theory

A set of hypotheses postulating relationships between variables. Used to describe, explain, predict, and prescribe. Must stand the test of time, influences and influenced by events and behaviors in world politics

Realism

Human nature causes individuals to be selfish and compete for self-advantage. People have an instinctive lust for power. The prime obligation of the state is promoting the national interest, even if that means immoral behavior. Human nature/anarchic international system requires states to acquire military power. Do NOT trust allies

Relative Gains

When some participants benefit more than others

National Interest

What is deemed best for the state and its survival is its #1 priority

Security Dilemma

As one actor takes measures to improve its security, others become insecure and take similar action (i.e. - arms race)

Realism - Individual Level of Analysis

The strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accept what they have to accept. It is men's nature to rule whenever they can. What made war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear that this caused in Sparta

Realism Assumption

States are the main actors. States are understood through human nature. They pursue self-help for survival. Leader's main responsibility is to acquire and maintain power to promote national interest. Stability may be attained by balance of power. If you want peace, prepare for war.

Classical Realism History

Derived from Ancient Greece. Popular until it was discredited by WWI

Modern Realism

Arrives about the beginning of WWII; key thinker was Hans Morgenthau who was pessimistic of human nature. Popular during the Cold War with the rise of Neorealism

Neorealism

Also known as Structural Realism.

Systemic level of analysis proposed by Kenneth Waltz. States compete because of anarchy (not human nature). State behavior is determined by differences in relative power. All states have the same objectives for security but different capacities to realize it. International system determined by a number of great powers

Defensive Realism (Neorealism)

Emphasizes the preservation of power, as opposed to the expansion of power, as an actor's primary security objective

Offensive Realism (Neorealism)

In an anarchical international system, states should always look for opportunities to gain more power

Neoclassical Realism

Explains state behavior in terms of the constraints of systemic-level structures and the influence of domestic politics and perceptions of state policy makers

Limitations of Realism

Focus on military might could promote arms races. Could not understand countries giving up power politics to join the EU. A disregard for ethical and moral ideas, suggests too much spending on military and not enough on social issues

Liberalism

Systemic Level of Analysis

States and international institutions are the main actors. Human nature is essentially good. Progress/absolute gains are possible. World politics is a struggle for consensus and mutual gain rather than a struggle for power and prestige. Unequal living conditions seen as source of conflict. Also called "idealism".

Main thinkers are John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Adam Smith

Liberalism Worldview

Reason and ethics can overcome international anarchy to create a more orderly and cooperative world (diplomacy). Emphasizes establishing state democracies to reduce conflict and free trade because it helps prevent disputes from escalating into war. Stresses the importance of international institutions, multilateralism, and international laws and norms.

Evolution of Liberalism

Prominent after power politics of realism led to WWI, instead collective security and international law would bring peace. Wilson's League of Nations, disarmament, Permanent Court of International Justice. Lost prominence to realism with liberal failure to prevent WWII. Still relevant for creation of UN and EU

Neoliberalism

1970s response to Neorealism and failure of Idealism. Also committed to scientific approach. Agreed that the anarchic international structure explains IR and not human nature, but cooperation is possible despite anarchy. Focuses on how IGOs and nonstate actors promote cooperation and peace. Points to regional integration, especially the EU

Complex Interdependence

In the 1970s: not just government that interact, especially with increased global economic connections

International Regime

Examines how states cooperate with each other and other actors through norms, rules, and institutions on a given issue (refugees, climate, health, etc.). Points to regional integration, especially the EU

Critiques of Liberalism

Some argue that institutions have minimal influence on state behavior - states still do what they want. Cooperation is more likely about low politics (environment, economics) than high politics (security). Realists say liberals turn foreign policy into a moral crusade and do not approve of liberal ideas like humanitarian intervention and responsibility to protect (R2p) that override state sovereignty

Constructivism

Started in 1990s in response to realist/liberal inability to predict/explain the end of the Cold War. Informed by critical social theory. States that world politics is socially constructed. Interests, ideas, values, identity, norms, culture, and individual speech shape global politics and can change. We socially construct rule and institutions. Actors have agency

Agent-Oriented Constructivism

Pointed out that individuals can have different identity within the group

Constructivist Worldview

Power in international relations is both material power and ideational power - actors' ability to persuade others to accept their ideas as legitimate. Social structures shape behavior and actors' identities. "Anarchy is what states make of it!". Understanding world politics requires understanding social interactions within the international system.

Actors: IGOs, NGOs, individuals, network, and states

Criticism of Constructivism

Not actually a theory, just a social science framework. Not enough attention to methodology, realists critical of the study of norms and liberals critical of lack of attention to ethics

Feminist Theory

State/Domestic Level of Analysis.

Came to IR in 1980s as a critical theory. Examines the historical and present exclusion of women in IR both in theory and practice. Study how gender identity shapes foreign policy decisions and how gendered hierarchies contribute to inequality. Mainstream state-centric security concerns ignore feminist broader ideas of security that include economy and family

WPS

Women, Peace, and Security adopted in 2001

Feminism SDGs

Gender equality is one of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015

Liberal Feminism

Men and women are equal; women should have equal opportunity to participate in politics

Standpoint Feminism:

IR has gendered language that privileges men

Postcolonial Feminism

Women's lives in different parts of the world are profoundly different

Post-Structuralism Feminsim

IR has gendered language that privileges men

Intersectionality

Recent focus looks at how gender, race, class, age, ability, sexuality, etc. interact

Marxism

Critical theory that focuses on class conflict. Marx and Engel's Communist Manifesto critiques capitalism for:

- Bourgeoisie (ruling class) owns means of production

- Proletariat sells labor

Marx hoped his writings would inspire revolution to change the social order and bring emancipation. Lenin took the argument further with capitalism leading to imperialism

NeoMarxism

Dependency theory

World-System theory

Dependency Theory

Poverty in the developing world comes form exploitative structure of capitalist world economy (export raw materials, import manufactured goods)

World-System Theory

Views the world capitalist system as consisting of a core, periphery and semi-periphery; those in periphery can't move to core

Critical Theory

A subset of theories that aren't JUST talking about the world, but they want to change it

Criticisms of Marxism and Feminist Theory

A severe lack of testable hypotheses and objectivity. Having a normative bias and active political agenda with too much emphasis on economic factors/gender to interpret world events

Usefulness of IR Theories

It is difficult to simplify the world's problems into one theory. Theories are challenged by global events and it is important to try to make sense of world politics. Critical theory also states that theorists are not objective so we should also examine who is making a theory, what values they hold, and how that influences they way they see the world.