IR Theory – Lecture 5 Neorealism and Neoliberalism PDF

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Master Level Lecture on Neorealism and Neoliberalism in International Relations Theory...

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IR Theory – Lecture 5 Neorealism and Neoliberalism

Waltz: Man, the State and War •

Argues in MSW that the cause of war is not human nature or the state, but rather that the international system is responsible for war.

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MSW – a work very much in the classical mould. History, philosophy and political theory predominate as the means of analysis.

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But even here there is the beginnings of a break with ‘classical’ Realism as Waltz disengages Realism from the idea of human nature.

Waltz, Theory of International Relations: - Waltz spends 20 years trying to study the behavioural and scientific revolutions - From initial scepticism, he embraces the idea of a scientific study of IR - Publishes the Theory of International Politics in 1979. He judges his book to be the first theory of IP as the others were at the stage of pre-theory or were to reductive (describing parts of the system rather than the system itself) Waltz’ meaning / definition of theory:

- Deductive basis in theory (associated to realism) is flawed according to Waltz. - Waltz insists on the fact that theories should be systemic, elegant, simple and avoid complexity  Reminder: Morgenthau thought this a perversion of the natural sciences. Waltz on the structure of theory: - Structure is a prerequisite for theory as it is structure that enables students of IP to determine the nature of international politics - Structure emerges from the interaction of states, but in turn it constrains them from taking certain actions and encourage them to undertake others.  balance of power Ordering Principles to the creation/foundation of a theory: - Condition of anarchy - Balance of power theory - In a rational, self-help environment, balancing against the most powerful is best long-term means of preserving autonomy - Foundation = the rational self-interest of Homo Economicus

– (Homo Politicus very similar) Neorealism since 1979: - Neorealism has effectively become Realism in the minds of academics and students. - When people write about a paradigm of realism they are really speaking of neorealism

Neorealism Reformation or Rejection of Realism:

(see lecture slides)

Part 2 of Lecture: Neoliberalism / Neoliberal Institutionalism

Neoliberalism / Neoliberal Institutionalism

- Emerges as an explicit critique of Realism - Claims to provide better theory to IP than realism - Realism (according to Keohane and Nye): state, force Context: - End of Cold War - Economic crises: oil crisis; debt crisis; US in relative decline; Japan and Germany were rising trading powers; trading powers were rising as opposed to military powers; détente and the decline of military power.  Task of theory: to describe and explain this transition Epistemology: - Progressive vs. regressive theories - Contain inviolable assumptions and initial conditions defining their scope.

Key concept: complex interdependence

- Multiple Channels Connect Societies – informal ties between political elites (governmental and non-governmental) - Informal ties between political elites and economic actors.  Neoliberals argue that military sector does not dominate the international agenda  Neoliberals argue that different issues produce different regimes (e.g. Taxation, normally seen as a domestic issue, but it has international dimensions)  3 different levels of global political activity: - Interstate (traditional int. politics) - Transgovernmental (relations above and below governments) - Transnational (flow of goods, money, services and peoples) Agenda Setting – Essential process in IR - Bargaining despite asymmetric dimension

Absolute Gains vs. Relative Gains:

For Neoliberalism, absolute gains downplay the notion of relative gains, if everyone is gaining it does not matter that one is gaining 20% of available income and the other is gaining 80%

Interwar Idealists vs. Neoliberals...