Anarchy and Rationality in International Relations

Anarchy

No central authority governs the international system.

Rationality

All actors act strategically in pursuit of their interests; no actor is irrational.

No harmony

Actors' interests often clash and do not perfectly align.

Key assumptions in international relations

The state is the most important actor, sovereignty is essential, and states maintain a monopoly on violence.

States pursue

Power and security, economic and material welfare, ideological goals.

Interaction between states occurs through

Bargaining, cooperation (coordination and collaboration).

First level of analysis

The individual (e.g., leaders and their decisions).

Second level of analysis

The nation-state (domestic politics and regime types).

Third level of analysis

The international system (anarchy and global structure).

Unipolar

One dominant state (hegemonic stability theory).

Bipolar

Two major powers (balance of power vs. power transition theory).

Multipolar

Multiple dominant states (seen as the least stable system).

Realism

Anarchy is the central ordering principle; states focus on self-help, survival, and relative power.

Liberalism

States have common economic interests; repeated interactions encourage cooperation.

Constructivism

States socially construct the meaning of anarchy.

Bargaining theory of war

War is costly; all states would prefer to avoid it if a settlement is possible.

Democratic peace theory

Democracies rarely go to war with each other; applies only to mature or consolidated democracies.

Confounding factors or counterarguments

Economic development, selection effects, shared strategic interests, racialized peace.

Institutional/structural explanations for democratic peace

Leaders are held accountable and may be removed for poor decisions; war mobilization is slower due to complex processes.

Normative/cultural explanations for democratic peace

Democracies export domestic norms like rule of law and peaceful competition.

Diversionary theory of war

Leaders may start wars to distract from domestic problems or gain public support.

Rally-'round-the-flag effect

Citizens unite around the government during external conflict.

Gamble for resurrection

Politically vulnerable leaders may use war as a last resort when they have nothing to lose.

Patterns of leadership behavior

Military background without combat → more likely to initiate conflict; military background with combat → less likely to initiate conflict.