POSC 2501 Key Terms Class 3

Theory

a supposition or systems of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained 

Model

a physical, conceptual, or mathematical representation of something

Paradigm

a typical example or pattern of something; a model. in science, the worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific subject

Epistemology

How do you know something, the study of knowledge 

Ontology

What ar eyou studying, the study of being 

Axiology

What do you want to know, the study of value

Methodology

How do you study something, the study of method

state-centrism

describes theories that use states as the primary unit of analysis, the belief that the state is the most important actor in politics.

First image

the level of individuals and sub-state actors

Second image

the level of the state

Third image

the level of the international system

realism

A pragmatic, in contrast to idealistic, approach to politics, a belief that interests are defined in terms of political power

Classical realism

a long tradition of thought, from ancient times to the Cold War, that views the international system as anarchic and states as self-interested. It explains power politics through human nature, allows for domestic and moral factors, and defines power broadly—not just in material terms.

Anarchy

The result of political multiplicity and the sovereign states system. no higher power to police behavior so states must provide their own security and welfare.

Balance of power

The idea that states will forma alainces to balance against more powerful states in order to prevent one from dominating the rest 

Neorealism

Invented during to cold war, it does away with classical realisms “unscientific” focus on human nature, and takes an approach that focuses on the structure of the international system as a key determinant of state behavior. States seek power because the international system is anarchic

Structural causation

the structure of the system causes unit behaviors

Balancing

Small states will join together to protect themselves against powerful ones

bandwagoning

Small states will submit to powerful ones to avoid conflict with them

Offensive realism

States will seek to maximize their power. Conquests can be profitable, states will develop offensive capabilities, states cannot tell the difference between the offensive and defensive capabilities of their neighbors → arms races, security dilemmas

Defensive realism

States will guard the power they have rather than risk conflict to attain more. Conquest is not profitable; states will focus on defense

Neoclassical realism

Starts with the insights of neorealism but also places emphasis on unit-level characteristics like domestic politics, the perceptions, and worldviews of leaders, and factors like culture, religion, and identity

Liberal internationalism

seeks to mitigate conflict between states. unlike realism, it is a political project that believes in and promotes democracy, free trade and open markets, international organizations, human rights, multilateralism

Interdependence

the idea that connections between states,e specially economic ones, lead to conditions of mutual dependence that will prevent conflict

Commercial peace

countries with strong economic and trade relations are less likley to go to war with each other

Democratic peace

democracies do not go to war with each other

Absolute gains

A state does not care if others are becoming more wealthy and powerful as long as it is too

Relative gains

a state cares if other states are becoming more wealthy and powerful than it, even if it is also becoming wealthy and powerful 

constructivism

A social theory that focuses on the rile of intersubjetcuce meaning, identities,a nd practices in international relations. often treats states as analogous to individuals who can take on identities and create intersubjective meanings

Interests

States behavior Is determined by what states want

Institutions

States behavior is determined yby riles, laws, codes of conduct, value systems, etc

Ideas

States behavior is determined by how state actors think

Identities

States behavior is determined by self perceptions of who they are