Liberalism and Realism What are the two main theories of international realism and liberalism and compare

e them ? (state, selfhelp and security) (4-5 points) Realism - 1st point Doubt about the capacity of human reason to deliver moral progress General approach to IR theory which takes power politics and national interest as foundations to actions in international sphere Classical political theorists such as Machiavelli, Hobbes and Rousseau International system in state of anarchy Historical Realists: Takes any course of action to ensure political survival Structural Realists: Permanent condition of conflict caused by human nature or anarchy Liberal Realism: Believes war can be avoided by management of state power and development of practices eg. peacekeeping and international law Basic Ideas of Realism 2nd point Statism State as main actor Accepts state sovereignty: Existence of an independent political community which has juridical authority over its territory Criticism Empirical grounds - challenges state power Normative grounds - inability of sovereign states to respond to collective global problems (environmental degradation and human rights abuses) Survival Supreme national interest which all political leaders must adhere to leaders adopting an ethical code Criticism Limits to what actions a state can use Self-help Ensure survival of state Limited co-operation: Can not rely on other states for resources Means of power which is measured in terms of military capabilities

Criticism No inevitable/certain consequence in absence of a world government Does not acknowledge international institutions that foster economic cooperation and reduce the need for power maximization Structure of IR system creates constant uncertainty due to absence of a global government Historical and contemporary examples - states have preferred forms of regional integration No limits to state sovereignty Liberalism Theory 3rd point Based on individual liberty and capacity to reason Formed in 1700s due to domination of churches in England people were morally equal and worth the same Liberal internationalism - Contact b/w people internationally through commerce or travel Idealists: Freedom of states are constrained promote peace and build a better world States part of an international organization and bound by its rules and norms Commercial and republican liberalism - States promote free trade and democracy in foreign policy programs International Law of the Sea avoiding conflict Liberal institutionalists - Use international institutions to carry out a number of functions the state could not perform Focused on new actors (TNCs, NGOs), patterns of interaction, interdependence and integration Neo-liberal institutionalism - Most conventional/conservative of liberalism Functional and complex integration theory Concerned with the initiation and maintenance co-operation under conditions of anarchy Share with realists assumption that states are most significant actors, and that the international environment is anarchic diverge in aim to achieving sustained patterns of co-operation under anarchy Interdependence contrast to self-help ensure less conflict not efficiency and worry about war High diplomacy/negotiation securing of nation state