Essentials of International Relations

Learning Objectives Understand how international relations affects you in your daily life Explain why we study international relations theory Analyze how history and philosophy have been used to study international relations Describe the contribution of behavioralism in international relations Explain how and why alternative approaches have challenged traditional approaches in international relations

Studying International Relations How does international relations affect you every day? What questions does the study of international relations seek to answer? What tools and methods do we use to study international relations? What theoretical approaches do we use to study international relations?

International Relations Defined What Is International Relations? International relations is the study of the interactions among the various actors within and across international borders, including states, their leaders, government bureaucracies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and individuals, and how they participate in international politics.

International Relations Defined What Is International Relations? It is the study of the behaviors of these actors as they participate individually and together in international political processes. While international activities have historically resulted from decisions taken by central governments and heads of state, increasingly, these activities involve different actors, some of whom you influence directly.

International Relations Defined Also the study of the interactions among various actors that participate in international politics States International organizations Nongovernmental organizations Subnational entities Individuals

Thinking Theoretically Theories provide a framework through which to understand everyday events in international relations and to answer the basic foundational questions. Theory is used to explain the choices of policymakers and the consequences of policies they enact. Theories help us to simplify complex issues by enabling us to bring important issues into focus. The use of theory helps us to identify which information is important and which information is unnecessary for our explanations.

Thinking Theoretically Key theories Realism - states exist in an anarchic international system. Each state bases its policies on an interpretation of national interest defined in terms of power. Understanding state behavior is the most important goal of the field of international politics.

Thinking Theoretically Key theories Liberalism - human nature is basically good. States frequently cooperate and follow international norms and procedures that have been mutually agreed upon. Much of international politics is about mutual gain rather than conflict.

Thinking Theoretically Key theories Radicalism/Marxism - actions of individuals are largely determined by economic class and position in the global economy; the distribution of wealth, and thus power, is highly unequal; the state is an agent of international capitalism; and the international system is dominated by the capitalist system.

Thinking Theoretically Key theories Constructivism - the key structures in the state system are not material but instead are intersubjective and social. The interest of states and the principles of the international system are not fixed, but rather are malleable and ever-changing. Different theoretical approaches highlight distinct aspects of international relations, and competition between theories helps reveal their strengths and weaknesses and spurs subsequent refinements.

Foundational Questions of International Relations How can human nature be characterized? What is the relationship between the individual and society? What is the relationship between societies? What are the characteristics and role of the state?

Foundational Questions of International Relations 2 How is the international system organized? How might international society be structured to obtain and maintain peace? How do individuals, states, and various international organizations impact international relations?

Answering the Foundational Questions Using history to examine patterns of past behavior Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War Using philosophy to analyze ideas Plato, The Republic Hobbes, Leviathan Using international relations theory to discover patterns and causes of individual, group, and state behavior and events in international relations

Answering the Foundational Questions Using history to examine patterns of past behavior History: history invites scholars to acquire detailed knowledge of specific events and understand narratives of political change. But it can also be used to test generalizations and explain the relationships among various events. An example is Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War used history to understand the causes of the war between Athens and Sparta.

History and the Study of International Relations Knowing past history is fundamental for explaining patterns in, and the background to, existing conflicts and current events in international relations However, history may be a poor guide for predicting contemporary policy choices History lessons are not clear-cut or simple Example: compare the lessons of the Vietnam War and the Iraq War The lessons that are drawn reflect theoretical orientations

Some scholars draw on history to help understand world politics. When the United States invaded Iraq, first in the 1991 Gulf War and then in the 2003 Iraq War, many observers raised comparisons to the Vietnam War. However, there were significant differences between these situations.

Contributions of the Philosophers Using philosophy to analyze ideas: Philosophy: classical philosophy, such as that of Plato and Aristotle, focuses on the state and its leaders. Philosophers after the classical era, such as Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant, focused on the basic characteristics of people and society and how those characteristics might in turn influence the character of the international system. The study of philosophy has contributed to the development of international relations by calling attention to fundamental relationships: those between the individual and society, between individuals in society, and between societies.

Contributions of the Philosophers Plato: society should submit to philosopher kings- the people who should govern are those who are superior in the ways of philosophy and war. Aristotle: use the comparative method to discern the ideal political order. Concluded that states rise and fall largely due to internal factors. Hobbes: society can escape from the state of nature through a unitary state with centralized power. Argues that the state of nature is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. People (or states) only cooperate out of fear.

Contributions of the Philosophers 2 Rousseau: small communities in which the general will can be obtained lead to the fulfillment of the individual s self-interests. Described the state of nature as an egocentric world, with man s primary concern being self-preservation Kant: advocated a federation of sovereign republics bound by the rule of law. Used as a means to achieve peace, a world order in which man is able to live without fear of war.

History and the Study of International Relations History and philosophy permit us to delve into the foundational questions: the nature of humanity and the broad characteristics of the state and of international society. They allow us to speculate on the normative (or moral) elements in political life, highlighting issues of right and wrong in the study of international relations: What should be the role of the state? What ought to be the norms in international society? How might international society be structured to achieve order?

Functions of International Relations Theory To describe what is happening To explain why events are occurring, who key actors are, and which choices have been made To explain what choices should be made To predict what will happen in the future

Contending Theories: The Basics Liberalism/neoliberal institutionalism States generally cooperate and follow mutually agreed-upon international norms Human nature is basically good

Contending Theories: The Basics 2 Realism States exist in an anarchic international system The state bases policy on its own national interest defined in terms of power The international system is determined by the distribution of power among states

Contending Theories: The Basics 3 Radical/Marxist theory The state is the agent of international capitalism The international system is stratified between haves and have-nots The haves dominate international relations

Contending Theories: The Basics 4 Constructivism Key structures in state and international systems are intersubjective and social The interests of states and other actors are malleable and ever-changing Constructivism explores how ideas shape identities and analyzes the impacts of culture, norms, procedures, and social practices

Methods: Behavioralism versus Postmodernism Behavioralism Proposes that individuals, both alone and in groups such as states, act in patterned and predictable ways. The task of the behavioral scientist is to suggest plausible hypotheses regarding those patterned actions and to test them with facts and data. Behaviorists stress that hypotheses must be "falsifiable"; that is, researchers should lay out explicitly what patterns of evidence are and are not consistent with particular hypotheses. Some behavioral scholars hope to predict future behavior. The foundational questions, involving the nature of people and society, are neglected by behaviorists because they are not easily testable by empirical methods.

Methods: Behavioralism versus Postmodernism Behavioralism Assumes individuals and societies act in patterned ways Uses the scientific method to describe and explain the patterns Uses empirical methods such as data collection

Methods: Behavioralism versus Postmodernism 2 Postmodernism Alternative approaches: postmodernism and constructivism challenge conventional understandings through deconstructing core concepts and examining how ideas shape norms and identities within international relations.

Methods: Behavioralism versus Postmodernism 2 Postmodernism Seeks to deconstruct basic concepts to understand and clarify hidden meanings Looks for the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised (example: women) Uses thick description from multiple sets of data

Why Does War Happen? The Correlates of War project uses history and behavioral approaches to try an understand why wars occur by collecting historical data about wars and looking for patterns. Codes historical data on wars, 1865 1965 Deaths, magnitude, severity, intensity

Why Does War Happen? 2 Develops hypotheses for the outbreak of war by examining correlations Relationship between number of wars and severity Relationship between presence of alliances and war Purpose: if we can explain correlates of war, then we can begin to explain why and when it breaks out, thus enabling future predictions and the avoidance of war

Discussion Questions Understanding history can help us better understand contemporary international events. Yet a perfect comparison can sometimes lead us astray. Choose a contemporary international event and connect it to a historical (it could be a recent historical) event. Discuss: (1) how the historical event could help us better understand the contemporary event, as well as (2) why doing so might lead to problems in understanding and dealing with the new event. Discuss the pros and cons of using the historical, philosophical, and behavioral approaches to the study of international relations, illustrating your points with specific examples from your own original insights. Argue what you think is the best approach, then explain the reasoning of your assertion both by highlighting the benefits of the one you have chosen and the limitations of the others. Some alternative approach scholars are dissatisfied with using history, philosophy, and behavioral tools to understand international relations. Weigh the benefits of each of these three approaches against the problems that are highlighted by the alternative approaches and discuss which approach you think is best.

Key Terms Anarchy - the absence of central government. Behavioralism Proposes that individuals act in a patterned way, both alone or in groups. International Relations - is the study of the interactions among the various actors within and across international borders, including states, their leaders, government bureaucracies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and individuals, and how they participate in international politics.

Key Terms Normative - The theory that addresses the ethical content of international affairs and explores what should be the role of the state.