International Relations 210 02 25 2016 Last Week Castell s Argument Trisector cooperation THINK ABOUT YOURSELF As a citizen of a nation state how to succeed Skills and competencies How is your life different from a student in this class in 1955 Do you have more independence or less How has your personal sovereignty been shaped by globalization Development of IR Theory Waves of IR theory P 71 or handout 28 in theory packet The Real World shapes theory and theory shapes the Real World English School Three Rs Realism Rationalism Revolutionism US Traditions Realism Liberalism Limited and Weak The Problem excessive utopianism but at the same time don t become excessively realistic Realism is a very broad perspective many waves within Theories and Narratives theories are part of one s narrative and they shape the narrative how you see and present the world traditions of thought on which policy makers leaders draw inspiration in forming their webs of belief about the nature of global politics Ruling Narratives Purpose of Worldviews defined as a framework of mental constructs with a cognitive and affective side Vertzberger acts as an info processing system worldviews lighten the burden of decision making Vert made up of beliefs images perceptions assumptions values attitudes habits facts you accept beliefs you embrace 6 Functions of a worldview by Fisher cognitive uncertainty vs cognitive consistency agenda of priorities and strategies for achieving constrains behavior of states and individuals stability and continuity justify policy actions decision makers cope with complexity and controversy build or enhance national unity national political culture Uses of Worldviews Narratives defining the other Manichean Views Us vs Them Black vs White characteristic of IR beliefs and assumptions that make up a worldview are embedded in organizations and shape our actions e g defense ministries and Cold War thinking Cold War Assumptions that are still valid today IR as a pervasive power game global system is a threat system limited cooperation international legal and moral restraints are ineffective emphasis on short term view of foreign policy international laws are used to keep the weak in line Cold War Thinking Manichean view reward friends and punish enemies minimal consideration of opposing view marginalization cognitive consistency primacy of national interests self help rules don t rely on anyone still applies today responding to the security dilemma when you increase security you create insecurity for others can we replace this way of thinking how Benefits of Worldview Analysis provides multiple interpretations of reality seeing world through one window leads to rejection of all other information range of acceptance narrows if dogmatic about worldview less open you are to other worldviews the more resistant to change by accepting other worldviews increase chances of finding workable solutions to complex problems levels of awareness and creativity increases Maintainer Realism foundational voices Thucydides St Augustine Machiavelli Hobbes structural realist International Relations 210 02 25 2016 THEORY PACKET the first R realism dominant view in IR foundation voices dominant narrative in IR thinking and policy thinking why is realism dominant how are alternative views marginalized Grotian moments Falk new world order opportunity appeared at Cold War from excessive utopianism back to realism Category Maintainers Realists foundational voices Thucydides a study of human nature and the behavior of states argues that human behavior is guided by fear self interest and honor complex realist Martin Wright classic contributor to the study of IR Melian Dialogue what made war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta what critical realist concept whar IR themes independent states forced to take side established rule big systems Realism Thucydides foundational view based on Melian Dialogue power always wins over ethics war caused by Athens challenge to Balance of Power BoPo human nature always ready to offend desire for power image and integrity elements of power anarchy security dilemma will change their system if there s a chance to gain power structure of system shapes foreign policies FOPO limits to treaties and alliances difficulty in maintaining order stability sacrificed for hegemony power critical for independence security dilemma results in an arms race only weak states resort to moral arguments and reference to law great powers pursue national interests and not abstractions St Augustine 354 430 AD after the sack of Rome became involved in secular politics city of god the ideal only found in Heaven humankind is caught in a continuous cycle of Christian pessimism there is no notion as a perfect ideal world early Christian views on just war no support for wars of aggression war is OK for protecting the state and order and stability in the system war is wrong for power and love of violence advocated limited war protection of civilians the state you will find good only in Heaven be wary of all rulers but obey the laws and the rulers little chance for peace and harmony in the world identify core assumptions that leaders should consider today MID TERM