IR midterm

Realism

A theory in international relations emphasizing power and national interest over ideals.

Melian Dialogue

A negotiation between Athens and Sparta illustrating the principles of realism.

State of nature

A concept in Hobbes' Leviathan where humans exist without government or authority.

Social contract theory

A theory positing that individuals consent to form a government and abide by its authority.

Absolute sovereign power

In Hobbesian theory, the ultimate power held by a central authority to maintain order.

Liberalism

A theory that emphasizes individual rights and freedoms, democracy, and cooperation between states.

Democratic peace theory

The idea that democracies are less likely to engage in war with one another.

Collective security

A security arrangement where states agree to respond collectively to threats against any member.

Utopian liberalism

An idealistic approach that seeks peace through democracy and international cooperation.

Hegemony

Domination of one state or group over others, usually in international relations.

Constructivism

A theory in international relations that emphasizes the role of social constructs and identities in shaping state behavior.

Neoliberal institutionalism

A theory arguing that international institutions can facilitate cooperation among states.

Security dilemma

A situation where actions taken by a state to increase its security create insecurity in other states.

Prisoner's dilemma

A situation in game theory showing why two rational individuals may not cooperate despite it being in their best interest.

Balance of power

A principle in international relations where states seek to prevent any one state from becoming too powerful.

Globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, economically, politically, and culturally.

Market for lemons

A concept illustrating how information asymmetry can lead to market failures.

Externalities

Costs or benefits incurred by third parties as a result of an economic transaction.

Relative power

Power assessed by comparing one state’s power to that of another.

Absolute power

Power considered independently, focusing solely on a state's own growth without concern for others.

Realism

A theory of international relations emphasizing the role of state power and national interests over ideals; includes the belief that anarchy results in a self-help system where states act in their own interests. Associated with thinkers like Thucydides and Thomas Hobbes.

Classical Liberalism

A political philosophy that advocates for individual liberties, democracy, and minimal government intervention; emphasizes the importance of rule of law and institutions to promote peace and cooperation. Key proponent: Immanuel Kant.

Utopian Liberalism

An idealistic approach to international relations that emphasizes cooperation among democratic states and collective security; suggests that democracies are less likely to engage in conflict with each other. Associated with Woodrow Wilson.

Offensive Realism

A variant of realism which suggests that great powers are inherently aggressive and seek to maximize their power; posits that the international system compels states to pursue hegemony. Prominent advocate: John Mearsheimer.

Defensive Realism

A branch of realism that argues states seek security and are not necessarily aggressive; states will focus on maintaining their security rather than pursuing excessive power. Key thinker: Robert Jervis.

Constructivism

A theory positing that international relations are shaped by social constructs, including ideas, identities, and norms; emphasizes that states’ interests are not fixed but evolve through interactions. Prominent thinker: Alexander Wendt.

Neoliberal Institutionalism

A theory suggesting that international institutions can help mitigate anarchy and promote cooperation among states; challenges the idea that a hegemon is necessary for stability. Associated with Robert Keohane.

Security Dilemma

A situation in international relations where one state's efforts to increase its security causes insecurity in other states, often leading to an arms race. Discussed by Robert Jervis.

Economic Liberalism

A school of thought that emphasizes free markets, limited government intervention, and the role of economic interdependence in promoting peace and cooperation among states. Associated with classical liberal thinkers.

Market for Lemons

An economic theory describing situations where information asymmetry leads to suboptimal outcomes, often seen in markets where the quality of goods is not easily observable. The concept is highlighted in discussions around economic policies and state behavior.

Thucydides

Author of 'History of the Peloponnesian War'; main points include the realistic view of power dynamics and the concept of might makes right.

Thomas Hobbes

Wrote 'Leviathan'; main points emphasize the necessity of a strong central authority to avoid chaos in the state of nature.

Immanuel Kant

Proponent of 'Perpetual Peace'; main points include the idea that peace can be achieved through democratic governance and international cooperation.

Woodrow Wilson

Promoted the idea of collective security and the League of Nations; believed in the power of democracy to prevent conflict.

John Mearsheimer

Noted for 'The Tragedy of Great Power Politics'; main points include offensive realism and the idea that great powers are inherently aggressive.

Robert Jervis

Wrote about the security dilemma; main points emphasize how states' efforts to secure themselves can lead to miscalculations and arms races.

Alexander Wendt

Key figure in constructivism; main points argue that interests are socially constructed and evolve through international interactions.

Robert Keohane

Associated with neoliberal institutionalism; main points include the role of international institutions in facilitating cooperation despite anarchic structures.

Francis Fukuyama

Wrote 'The End of History'; main points suggest that the end of the Cold War signifies the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of government.

Samuel Huntington

Authored 'The Clash of Civilizations'; main points posit that future conflicts will be driven by cultural and religious differences.

Robert Gilpin

Wrote 'Global Political Economy'; main points explore the interconnectedness of politics and economics and how state behavior is influenced by global economic forces.

Realism

A theory in international relations that emphasizes the role of state power and national interests over ideals, positing that states operate in an anarchic system where they must prioritize their own survival and interests, often leading to conflict.

Melian Dialogue

A negotiation between Athens and Sparta illustrating the principles of realism, showcasing the stark power dynamics where the stronger Athens demands submission from the neutral island of Melos.

State-centered

A theoretical focus on the state as the primary actor in international relations, where nation-states are seen as the key players in the pursuit of power and security.

Might makes right

Said by Thucydides; The notion that power often justifies actions and decisions taken by states, regardless of moral considerations; a principle closely associated with realist thought.

State of nature

A philosophical concept in Hobbes' Leviathan depicting a scenario where humans exist without government or authority, characterized by chaos and conflict, necessitating a strong central power to impose order.

Social contract theory

A political theory asserting that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a government and abide by its authority in exchange for protection and social order.

Absolute sovereign power

In Hobbesian theory, the concept of an ultimate authority with the power to enforce laws and maintain order in society, deemed necessary to prevent descent into chaos.

Liberalism

A political theory emphasizing individual rights and freedoms, the importance of democracy, and the need for cooperation between states to achieve peace and prosperity.

Democratic peace theory

The hypothesis that democracies are less likely to go to war with one another due to shared norms, values, and the democratic process of decision-making.

Collective security

A security arrangement among states where member countries agree to collectively respond to threats against any member, thereby promoting peace and stability.

Utopian liberalism

An idealistic approach to international relations advocating for global peace through democracy, cooperation among states, and the establishment of frameworks like the League of Nations.

Hegemony

The dominance of one state or group over others, particularly in terms of economic, political, or military power within the international system.

Constructivism

A theory in international relations that posits social constructs, identities, and norms play a fundamental role in shaping state behavior and interests, as opposed to purely material factors.

Neoliberal institutionalism

A theory arguing that the presence of international institutions can help mitigate anarchy in the international system and facilitate cooperation among states, even in the absence of a hegemonic power.

Security dilemma

A situation in which actions taken by a state to enhance its own security inadvertently threaten other states, potentially leading to arms races or conflict.

Prisoner's dilemma

A concept in game theory illustrating a situation where two rational individuals may not cooperate, despite it being mutually beneficial, due to incentives that lead them to act in self-interest.

Balance of power

A principle in international relations whereby states seek to prevent any one state from becoming too powerful, thereby maintaining stability and preventing dominance.

Globalization

The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries in various aspects, including economic, political, cultural, and social dimensions.

Market for lemons

An economic theory that describes how information asymmetry, particularly regarding the quality of goods, can lead to market failures where low-quality products drive high-quality ones out of the market.

Externalities

Costs or benefits that affect third parties who did not choose to incur those costs or benefits, often leading to market inefficiencies.

Relative power

Power assessed in relation to another state’s power, focusing on comparative capabilities and influence.

Absolute power

Power assessed independently of others, concentrating solely on a state's own resources and actions without regard to how they compare to other states.

Classical Liberalism

A political philosophy that advocates for individual liberties and democratic governance, emphasizing rule of law and the necessity of institutions for maintaining peace.

Offensive Realism

A variant of realism suggesting that major powers are inclined to be aggressive, seeking to maximize their power and influence in an anarchic international system.

Defensive Realism

A perspective within realism asserting that states primarily seek security rather than expansion, indicating that states focus on maintaining their sovereignty and stability.

Economic Liberalism

A school of thought emphasizing the benefits of free markets and limited government intervention, positing that economic interdependence fosters peace among nations.

Thucydides

An ancient Greek historian known for his work 'History of the Peloponnesian War'; he is recognized for articulating the principles of realism in international relations.

Thomas Hobbes

A political philosopher known for writing 'Leviathan,' emphasizing the need for a powerful sovereign to maintain order and prevent conflict in the anarchic state of nature.

Immanuel Kant

A philosopher advocating for 'Perpetual Peace,' promoting the idea that lasting peace is achievable through democratic governance and international cooperation.

Woodrow Wilson

An American president who championed the establishment of the League of Nations and believed in the capacity of democracy to foster global peace.

John Mearsheimer

A political scientist notable for his theory of offensive realism, asserting that the anarchic international system compels great powers to act aggressively.

Robert Jervis

An international relations scholar who discussed the security dilemma, emphasizing how states' security measures can create distrust and lead to escalation.

Alexander Wendt

A key figure in constructivist theory, arguing that social constructs shape state interests and identities, which evolve through interaction.

Robert Keohane

A political scientist linked to neoliberal institutionalism, focusing on the role of international institutions in fostering cooperation despite anarchic international relations.

Francis Fukuyama

A political economist known for 'The End of History,' suggesting that the end of the Cold War marked the global triumph of liberal democracy.

Samuel Huntington

A political scientist recognized for 'The Clash of Civilizations,' proposing that future global conflicts will stem from cultural and religious divisions.

Robert Gilpin

An international relations theorist who explored the interplay of politics and economics in 'Global Political Economy' and its impact on state behavior.