Thursday, March 7, 2019
Ethics in Ir Essay
Introduction when thinking about how the veritableism works IR scholars commonsly subscribe to one of two dominant theories, naive realism or liberalism. One, unsullied/neo-realist thought, is to a greater extent pessimistic about the prospects of re launching, cooperation, and hu bit progress whilst the otherwise, liberalism/idealism, is more eudaemonia and sanguine about pitying nature and human possibilities. In this lecture, we study each human beingview in depth at the termination Id like you to think about which, if any, view you subscribe to II. planetary transaction Theory A. What is theory? One word often used to come upon theory is paradigm. fit in to Ray and Kaarbo, a paradigm is alone a way of thinking about and approaching an ara of scientific or scholarly inquiry that is widely accepted in struggledly a particular discipline. 1. In other words, a paradigm provides a alter map of veracity it takes the complexity of the real world and reduces it to a consequence set of assumptions that make globular events that seem so isolated, unrelated and involved more comprehensible. 2. So thats what theory and paradigms are on the whole about they booster us systematize and simplify a very complicated world. heartfelt theory is gener each(prenominal)y simple (see Ockhams RazorWilliam of Ockham said a large quantify ago that when you put up two competing theories that make exactly the selfsame(prenominal) predictions, the simpler one is the better. ), accurate, and elegant. -William of Ockham 3. Note that to be valuable, a paradigm of world political relation shootnt explain every event. This is b/c theory, by nature, simplifies reality so that certain things are missed. This simply tidy sumt be helped. 4. Ray and Kaarbo (p4) make the point that poring over theories allows students of international relations to collapse global politics in the future, long after they finish interpreting this book or taking courses on the su bject.When students learn only tale or contemporary issues their knowledge of global politics is limited in time because new issues and events are always arising. In short, by studying theories of IR, you will be able to see events in a broader, more analytical, more systematic framework rather than a limited and time bound one analyti bring d holdy, thats vital. 5. In this lecture we will be examining two dominant paradigms in world politics Realism and Liberalism (along with sub-theories within the same larger paradigm) III. The Realist Worldview A.Lets start with a mention from Thomas Hobbes (1651), whom many characterize as probably the major citidel of the for fightd- odouring theory we call classical realism -The stylish Mr. Hobbes Cover of his creative work, Leviathan Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that author which is called war and such a war as is of every man against every man To t his war of every man against every man, this similarly is consequent that nothing can be unjust.The notion of right and wrong, jurist and injustice, have at that place no place. Where there is no common power, there is no equity where no law, no injustice. Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues. 1. You should note from the in a higher place that realism embraces a more pessimistic view of world politics, acres relations, and the scuttle of perpetual peace Thats why I started with this b/c Hobbes more pessimistic view of the world really underscores the theory we call classical realism (and which is now called structural/neo realism) B.Definitions and Description of Realist Theory. 1. According to professors Kegley & Wittkopf (31), classical realism is a paradigm based on the premise that world politics is essentially and unchangeably a make do among self-interested conveys for power and position under anarchy, with each competing put up pursuing its own na tional interests 2. Ray and Kaarbo (p4) write that realism is a theoretical billet for understanding intl. relations that emphasizes raises as the most crucial actor in global politics, the anarchical nature of the intl. ystem, and the pursuit of power to unspoilt evokes interests. 3. The presentation father of this theory is the Greek historian Thucydides, who wrote the seminal account of the war between Athens and Sparta. In his history of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides contends that the war stony-broke out b/c Athens was concerned about Spartas growing power. His writings greatly influenced theorists and statemen alike through the next two thousand years, including the advanced proponents (Morgenthau, Kissinger, Waltz, James et al) of classical and neo-realism 4.In short and in sum, realists see international relations as driven by the dogged and competitive pursuit of power by states in the effort to secure state interests. 5. For realists, the most important sourc e of power is forces capability, and the learning and use of that military capability makes the realists world one prone to furiousness and warfare. 6. At the core of this theory is that world politics takes place within a context of anarchy (ie the absence of world govt. which is different than how the world of domestic politics functions), which Thomas Hobbes likens to a state of nature.In this state of nature, Hobbes argues that because there are no rules, no laws, no enforcement mechanisms etc, that conflict turns into war (he calls it a perpetual war of all against all) which is why intimate countries, people consent (ie the so-called social charter) to live under a government that makes and enforces laws, graze, security, etc. In this state, people take upt have absolute freedom BUT they sacrifice some liberty to that govt. in order to get order and security 7. In world politics, we dont have this, ergo, realists argue that we live in a state of nature, or in a world of perpetual conflict.Therefore, the violence, chaos, decease and destruction that often accompany world politics reflect the war of all against all that intl. anarchy directly implies 8. Realists also assume that states, or countries, are the key actors and determine what happens in the world (Ray and Kaarbo 5). Ray and Kaarbo (p. 5) carry that states can, if they choose, control all other actors, according to realism. 9. State interests, rather than human rights or ideological preferences, are the reason behind every state action. Ray and Kaarbo (p. 5) suggest that it is the maximization of power that is in a states interest.Thus, everything a state does can be explained by its confide to maintain, safeguard, or increase its power in relation to other states. 10. In the world of anarchy and state sovereignty, there is no higher berth to impose order, and there is no intl. 911 number for states to call when their interests are threatened. States essential therefore provide for t heir own defense and protection. Realists refer to this effort by states to defend their own interests as SELF-HELP (usually though the acquisition of military potentiality or joining alliances ) 11. In short and in sum, without an intl. orld authority, they must look out for their own interests which realists suggest is all about securing and maintaining their power. To realists, this is the only noetic way to behave in an anarchic intl. realm 12. The implications of all of the above for realists is somewhat obvious war is inevitable this is b/c in a world with no higher power to impose order and resolve disputes, with almost 200 sovereign actors looking to defend their interests via self-help, and where efforts at self-help and self-defense can threaten other actors in the system, states sometimes need to use force to resolve disputes with other states 3. Realists conclude a fewer other thingsthe possibility of cooperation and change is limited, that world politics is not main ly about good and evil, that power trumps justice, and that the road to order lies through the equilibrate of power a. Ray and Kaarbo site Saddam Husseins encroachment of Kuwait as an example of how states act to maximize their power above all else C. The core of classical realist theory is best summarized in the habitus of 10 assumptions 1.People are by nature narrowly egocentric and ethically flawed 2. Of all peoples evil ways, no(prenominal) are more prevalent or dangerous than their instinctive inclination for power and their desire to dominate others 3. The possibility of eradicating these instincts is a utopian pipedream 4. International politics is a struggle for power, a war of all against all 5. The primary objective of every statethe goal to which all other objectives should be subordinated tois to promote its NATIONAL INTERESTS 6.The anarchical nature of the intl system dictates that states withdraw sufficient military capabilities to deter attack by potential enemi es and to make out influence over others 7. Economics is less relevant to ntl security than is military might 8. Allies might increase a states ability to defend itself, but their loyalty and reliability should never be assumed 9. States should NEVER entrust the task of self-protection to intl security organizations or intl law 10. If all states seek to maximize power, stability will resolvent by maintaining a balance of powerIV. The Liberal Worldview A. As in classical realist theory, I will start the discussion of liberalism with a abduce from one of the founders of this paradigm, Immanuel Kant (1795) -The perspicacious Dr. Kant -Kants towering Toward Perpetual Peace nevertheless the homage which each state pays (at least in words) to the concept of law proves that there is slumbering in man an even greater moral disposition to become master of the evil principle in himself (which he cannot disclaim) and to fancy for the same from othersFor these reasons there must be a le ague of a particular kind, which can be called a league of peace (foedus pacificum), and which would be distinguished from a treaty of peace (pactum pacis) by the fact that the last mentioned terminates only one war, while the former seeks to make an end of all wars forever. 1. You should note from the above that liberalism, or idealist theory, embraces a more sanguine view of world politics, state relations, and the possibility of perpetual peace Thats why I started with this quote by Kants more hopeful view of the world. B.Definitions and Description of Liberal Theory 1. According to Kegley & Wittkopf (2006 28), liberalism is a paradigm predicated on the hope that the application of reason and universal moral philosophy to international relations can lead to a more orderly, just, and conjunct world, and that international anarchy lack of a hierarchy/world government and war can be policed by institutional reforms that empower international organizations and laws 2. Ray a nd Kaarbo (p. 7) desex intl. liberalism as a theorectical perspective emphasizing interdependence between states and substate actors as the key haracteristic of the intl. system. 3. Liberalism, or what many also call idealism/idealist theory, can be traced back to Kants Toward Perpetual Peace though more recently, in the period b/n WWI and WWII, the major adroit challenger to the realist paradigm was idealism. Idealists questioned many of the basic tenets of realism and suggested that it would be doable to transform the world of power seeking and war into one in which peace and cooperation among states might prevail 4.Idealism, in contrast to realism, suggests a unthreatening but utopian perspective that realists believe was out of touch with how the real world actually works which is why the word idealism was shelved for the world liberalism, which couldnt be tarred as fuzzy headed and out of touch 5. unconnected realists, liberals believe that significant global cooperation is possible and that we can move beyond the power politics at the heart of the realist paradigm. 6. For liberals, the key assumption is that peace and cooperation among states can produce absolute gains for all.As long as your state is better off as a result of cooperating with others, the gains of others should not issuing realists are only concerned with relative gains (why intl. trade isnt the end all be all for classical realists, esp. if you will empower a rival) 7. BTW, whilst Kant argued that the natural state of humankind is one of war and conflict he also importantly suggested a state of peace can be established. He argues that this perpetual peace can be established, esp. through the (1) the creation of a loose federation of free states whose members were committed to maintaining intl. rder and security, (2) the spirit of concern which in Kants view is incompatible with war and which sooner or later gains the upper hand in every state, and (3) the creation of republican govts in which executive power is checked by an self-employed person legislature 8. Liberals argue that realist explanations of anarchy and self-help are wrong b/c they miss the REAL nature of world politics in the modern world COMPLEX INTERDEPENDENCE, which has become the dominant feature of global politics (Ray and Kaarbo 9). a.Complex interdependence means that there are multiple carry among a categorization of actors in intl. politics. b. Where realists see states as the only important actors, liberals see a world where there are a variety of non-state actors (such as multi-national corporations, intergovernmental organizations, and governmental organizations), share the world stage with countries. c. They also argue that multiple issues, not just military security, are vital to the global agenda C. Modern Liberalism based on the following set of assumptions 1. humankind nature is essentially good 2.
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