INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 2013–2014 Update Tenth Edition

INTERNATIONALRELATIONS2013–2014 UpdateTenth Edition

Joshua S. Goldstein Jon C. Pevehouse

Chapter Three: Liberal and Social Theories

Anti-government protester in Bahrain, 2011.

3.1 The Waning WarLiberal theorists see the rules of IR as slowly evolving through

time and potentially becoming more peaceful.Evolution results primarily from the gradual build-up of

international organization and mutual cooperation (reciprocity) and secondarily from changes in norms and public opinion (identity).

Current period is one of the least warlike in history

3.1 The Waning of WarQ: With respect to warfare, __________.

Answer:

True-False:

Events in the post–Cold War era have continued a long-term trend toward larger wars.

Answer:

False

3.2 Liberal TheoriesKant and PeaceLiberal InstitutionalismInternational RegimesCollective SecurityThe Democratic Peace

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Kant and PeaceLiberal theories of IR try to explain how peace and cooperation

are possible

German philosopher Immanuel Kant

Liberal Institutionalism

Kant’s first answer

Rational actors

States could join a worldwide federation

International cooperation

Neoliberal approach

Liberal theories emphasize the potential for rivalries to evolve into cooperative relationships as states recognize that achieving mutual benefits is most cost effective in the long run. For example, the U.S. and Soviet/Russian space programs began cooperating in the 1960s and continue today, with other countries. Here, astronauts from the United States, Russia, Germany, and Sweden share the International Space Station, 2006.

HAPPY FAMILY

International RegimesSet of rules, norms, and producers

Can help solve collective-goods problems

Intervening variables

Embedded in international institutions

International regimes are sets of rules, norms, and procedures, not always codified into institutions, that govern the behavior of actors in IR. The world health regime includes states, IGOs such as the World Health Organization (WHO), nonprofit organizations such as the Gates Foundation, and others, all working with common expectations about activities to improve health and stem epidemics. Here, Cuban doctors give WHO vaccines to children in Haiti, 2010.

HEALTHY REGIME

Collective SecurityGrows out of liberal institutionalismFormation of a broad allianceLeague of NationsUnited NationsRegional IGOs Success of collective securityIssue of failed states

Democratic PeaceKant’s second answer

Democracies almost never fight each other

Democracy more widespread

Period of transition

Upsurges of democratic movements throughout the world in recent years testify to the power of the idea of democracy. Because democracies rarely fight each other, worldwide democratization might lead to lasting peace. Here, Tunisia holds its first free election after leading the Arab Spring and reversing decades of authoritarian rule, 2011.

DEMOCRATIC TIDE

3.2 Liberal Theories Q: What was the first attempt at creating a collective security system?

A) United Nations

B) League of Nations

C) European Community

D) North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Answer:

B) League of Nations

True-False:

A current example of an international regime is the International Monetary Fund.

Answer:

True

3.3 Social Theories

Identities and Ideas Matter

Postmodernism

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Identities & Ideas Matter

Approach rather than theory

Constructivist

One strand of research examines how states’ interests and identities are intertwined

Another strand of research relies heavily on international norms

Constructivist theories, based on the core principle of identity, see actors’ preferences as constructed by the actors rather than given “objectively.” These theories may do better than realist or liberal approaches in explaining major changes in a state’s foreign policy goals and image in the world that arise from internal changes and new self-concepts rather than external constraints or opportunities. Examples might include the breakup of the Soviet Union and the election of Barack Obama as president. Iran’s identity as an Islamic revolutionary state affects its foreign policies. Here, the morals police close a barber shop in Iran for giving Western-style haircuts, 2008.

CONSTRUCTING IDENTITIES

President of Ukraine, Victor Yanukovych

PostmodernismRooted in literature critiques - pays special attention to texts and

to discourses

Calls into question the whole notion of states as actors

Postmodernists seek to “deconstruct” concepts

3.3 Social TheoriesQ: Which of the following do postmodernists mainly focus on when attempting to deconstruct dominant beliefs?

A) Human behavior

B) State behavior

C) Discourse

D) Psychology

Answer:

C) Discourse

True-False:

The teasing apart of words in order to uncover subtle meanings, searching for what is perhaps left out, is a particularly Marxist approach to texts.

Answer:

False

3.4 Marxism

Both IR and domestic politics arise from unequal relationships

Oppression of less powerful by powerful classesMarx’s theories of class struggleLenin’s theory of imperialismRevolutions in global southLess visible theories in IR

Disparity of wealth is a central aspect of global North-South relations. Marxists see international relations and domestic politics alike as being shaped by a class struggle between the rich and the poor. In São Paulo, Brazil, rich and poor neighborhoods sit side by side.

RICH AND POOR

3.4 MarxismQ: Marxist approaches to IR hold that both IR and domestic policies arise from unequal relationships between which of the following?

A) Political elites

B) Economic classes

C) Governmental agencies

D) Economic agencies

Answer:

B) Economic classes

True-False:

The utilization of taxes to sway the working classes at home is an example of a buy off.

Answer:

False

3.5 Peace StudiesSeeks to shift focus of IR away from interstate level of analysisConflict resolutionMilitarismPositive peace - structural violenceWorld governmentPeace movementsNonviolence, pacifism

Militarism in a culture, or the lack thereof, can influence foreign policy. In societies at war, children’s psychological trauma contributes to intergroup conflicts decades later. Generations of Palestinians have grown up in a society affected by violent conflict. This Palestinian girl, walking between Israeli troops and Palestinian stone-throwers in the West Bank in 2010, has lived around violent conflict her whole life, as have her parents and grandparents.

SHADOW OF WAR

Peace demonstrators play a role in many conflicts. Here, demonstrators respond to an outbreak of violence in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2013.

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

3.6 Peace StudiesQ: Scholars of peace studies emphasize what level of analysis when recommending strategies for achieving peace?

A) Individual

B) National

C) International

D) Global

Answer:

A) Individual

True-False:

In international conflicts, peaceful strategies for resolving those conflicts are in competition with violent approaches.

Answer:

True

3.6 Gender Theories

Why Gender MattersThe Masculinity of RealismGender in War and PeaceWomen in IRDifference Feminism versus Liberal FeminismPostmodern Feminism

Why Gender Matters

Feminist scholarship

Difference feminism

Liberal feminism

Postmodern feminism

Feminists from various theoretical traditions agree that the gender makeup of international summits and national governments matters. Here, China’s old (left) and new (right) ruling group mark the transition of power, 2012.

A GUY THING

The Masculinity of RealismDifference feminism provides a perspective from which to re-

examine the core assumptions of realism

International system based on feminine principles

Feminist scholars emphasize the importance of gender roles in IR, especially the traditional distinction between males in the political-military roles and females in the domestic-family roles. Changing this division could change IR, they think. Here, top U.S. officials attend the UN General Assembly, 2010.

ROLE REVERSAL

Gender in War and PeaceHidden assumption of masculinity in realism

Gender gap

Difference feminists see women as inherently less warlike than men and more adept at making peace because of their potential and actual experiences as mothers. In this view, women play distinct roles in wartime and also have distinct needs. During the long civil war in Liberia in the 1990s, women organized mass protests for peace and insisted the male faction leaders end the war. Their leader, Leymah Gbowee, shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.

WOMEN POWER

Women in IR

Liberal feminists skeptical of differenceLiberal feminists believe that when women are allowed

to participate in IR, they play the game basically the same ways men do, with similar results

For liberal feminists, the main effect of gender imbalance in IR is wasted talent

Women in U.S. foreign policy establishment, U.S. Congress, legislatures worldwide

Women in combat

Women soldiers have performed as well as men in military tasks, as predicted by liberal feminists. But in state armies, women are barred from virtually all infantry combat units worldwide. Guerrilla forces more often include women, and female U.S. military police in Iraq often participate in fighting. Here, in 2005, a sergeant from the Kentucky National Guard receives the silver star for heroism in combat after fighting off an ambush in Iraq.

COMBAT HERO

Difference Feminism versus Liberal Feminism

Individuals vs. groups

Profound differences in IR would occur only if many women participated in key foreign policy positions

Postmodern FeminismDeconstructs realism with the specific aim of

uncovering the pervasive hidden influences of gender in IR and demonstrates the arbitrariness of the construction of gender roles

Language of realism reflects influences of gender and sex

3.6 Gender Theories Q: Difference feminists argue that realism involves assumptions of masculinity because of what principle?

A) Unified actors

B) Alliances that are permanent

C) Pursuit of local interest

D) Anarchic international politics and ordered domestic politics

Answer:

D) Anarchic international politics and ordered domestic politics

True-False:

Power and potency are likely to be key terms for postmodern feminists as they describe both male virility and state capability.

Answer:

True

Chapter Discussion Question

Taking into consideration the central terms of realism, like anarchy, state actors, rationality, and theutility of military force, how have the central claims of realism been challenged over recent years? Use particular recent global political events to add substance to your answer.