Essentials of International Relations, Chapter 3

Collective security

Aggression by one state is countered by automatic and collective reaction Basis of UN and League of Nations

Levels of analysis

Categorization that suggests appropriate type of evidence to explain events - causes of wars; used by Kenneth Waltz Individual State International system

Neoliberal institutionalism

Cooperation between states stems from continuous interactions through institutions - in self-interest of states to cooperate

Rational actors

Decisions made after weighing strengths and weaknesses in pursuit of national interest

International system level

Distribution of power; relative strengths and weaknesses of international and regional organizations

State level

Domestic factors; characteristics of state, including type of government, economic system, interest groups within the county, national interest

LIBERALISM

Humans are innately good; wars can be moderated through spread of democracy and well-regulated capitalism Political institutions promote social progress Lasting peace is possible - Kant: perpetual peace (work of "rational devils")

National interest

Interest of the state - pertaining to protection of territory and sovereignty Realism - power Liberalism - many national interests Radical - elites' interests

CONSTRUCTIVISM

Meanings of objects are constructed through social interaction - state conduct shaped by identities and social norms, interests result of these identities Wendt: political structure can't tell much of a state's interest because identities change as a result of cooperative behavior -- anarchy depends on distribution of identities Power= ideas, culture

Offensive realism

Periodically demonstrating a willingness to engage in war Might be costly in the short run, but may pay dividends in reputation later on Bandwagoning

Individual level

Personality; perception; choices of individual decision makers

Dependency theorists

Primary importance to role of MNCs and international banks based in developed countries in exerting fundamental controls over developing countries Maintain dependency relationships

Multinational corporations (MNCs)

Private enterprises with production facilities, sales, or activities in several states

RADICALISM

Private interests of capitalist economy create class bondages; new social patterns develop - natural evolution for exploited proletariat to rise up

Theory

Set of propositions used to predict phenomena by specifying relations among the propositions

Hypotheses

Specific falsifiable statements questioning a particular relationship among two or more variables

Unitary actor

State speaks with one voice after decision to go to war - no substantial actors trying to overturn government's decision

REALISM

States act in unitary ways in pursuit of their own national interest, defined in terms of power System= anarchy Most important concern= increase own power Power= military capabilities

Bandwagoning

States should build up their relative power to intimidate potential rivals into cooperation

Defensive realism

States should pursue policies of restraint Most wars do not benefit those who started them

Neorealism

Structure of international system is the explanatory factor (ANARCHY) Waltz: anarchy is constant; distribution of capabilities fluctuates

Institutions

Structures of social order around which individual and group identities emerge