International Relations Theory WORLD POLITICS UNDER A SYSTEM

International Relations Theory WORLD POLITICS UNDER A SYSTEM OF ANARCHY

International Political Order The Treaty of Westphalia first inaugurated the state as the primary unit of modern international relations International order regards all states as legal equals with the same rights and duties within the international (aka Westphalian) system No state is to demand the subordination of others, nor interfere in their domestic affairs The system is therefore anarchic (order arises from mutual coordination, not from a central authority) More powerful states have limited instruments (e. g. force) to exerting their influence when deciding how to resolve global issues

Instruments used in the Management of International Relations International Law: body of rules that states observe among themselves through the negotiation and signing of treaties - states enforce law themselves. (*development of individual human rights in the 20 th century and their violation is putting into question the policy of non-intervention in a state’s domestic affairs) Diplomacy: a system of formal and regularized communication among states that allows them to conduct their business with each other more readily International Organizations and Regimes: formal body based on a founding charter signed by member states given authority to act in specific issue areas (e. g. UN, WTO, EU, ICJ, IAEA, NPT)

International Relations (IR) Theory scholars use three principle theories to describe, explain, predict, and prescribe the behaviour of states in the context of world politics: REALISM LIBERALISM STRUCTURALISM the first two are discussed here

Realism: world politics is about a struggle for power among states and trying to prevent any one state from gaining dominance over all others Roots in Thucydides’ Account of the Peloponnesian War (431404 BC) Modern Origins in 17 th and 18 th Century Political Theory Hobbes (1651), Machiavelli Draws a Very Sharp Distinction Between the Ordered Nature of Politics within Nations and the Dis-ordered Nature of Politics Between Nations Very Pessimistic Perspective on International Politics Interaction under Anarchy is Equivalent to Life in a State of Nature Resulting International State System is a War of All Against All. International Politics is Dominated by Fighting or Preparing to Fight Wars

Liberalism: world politics is about emphasizing order and peace by protecting human rights, promoting trade and investment, and spreading democracy Has its Origins in Late 18 th Century Enlightenment Thought John Locke; Immanuel Kant; J. J. Rousseau Inspired by Modern Notion of Progress and Human Ability to Control Nature Draws a Less-Sharp Distinction Between Domestic and International Politics Relatively Hopeful (if not optimistic) Perspective on International Politics. Fear Will Cause Governments to Combine Independent Nations into Larger Political Units. Process of Political Integration Will Be Reinforced By International Economic Interdependence

Realism Vs. Liberalism Realism is pessimistic: emphasizing enduring nature of anarchy that cannot be altered because countries act out of self-interest. Liberalism is hopeful and believes cooperation is possible: emphasizing human ability to alter its environment by creating new political institutions. more than a sterile debate among political theorists – one can see the interplay between realism and liberalism in the real world.

Realism and State Behavior Realism has been used to explain why there is sometimes war and sometimes peace among the Great Powers. Realist explanations of war and peace focus on the balance of power. How do changes in the balance of power affect the probability of war and peace?

Power as Influence. Power as Capability (having the financial, economic, and military resources to act)

Great Powers by GDP (2011) United States $15. 1 trillion China $7. 3 trillion Japan $5. 8 trillion Germany $3. 5 trillion France $2. 7 trillion Russia $2. 5 trillion United Kingdom $2. 4 trillion Italy $1. 8 trillion Canada $1. 4 trillion

Military Spending (2012) Military Expenditures (Billions) Soldiers (Millions) United States China $711 $143 2. 9 4. 5 Russia France U. K. Japan Germany % of World $72 $63 $60 $47 65 percent 2. 9 0. 5 0. 4 0. 2 0. 5 30 percent

World Spending

The Nuclear Balance Great Powers Country U. S Russia China France Britain Warheads Smaller Countries Country Warheads 12, 070 India 22, 500 Pakistan 450 Israel 450 45 -95 35 -50 100 260