Transcript International Relations PSC 124.200: Introduction

International Relations
PSC 124.200: Introduction
Today
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Are you registered for this class?
Digital pictures
Overview of the syllabus
Index cards
Nau, preface and introduction
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
The question for this course
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Are international relations undergoing fundamental
and irreversible changes?
Is the international system shifting away from statecentrism?
Are non-state actors effectively challenging states?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
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Are you
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
What are international relations?
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Political: States, IGOs, and NGOs
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Economic: Multinational corporations (MNCs)
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Traditional (states only): War, diplomacy, sanctions, foreign
aid, military alliances, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
Non-traditional (including non-state actors): Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), terrorism, drug trade
Trade in goods, financial services, remittances, sanctions, drug
trade
Social/Cultural: Ideas and individuals
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Migration, tourism, professional organizations, human rights,
adoptions, religion, etc.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
From inter-national politics to global affairs?
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In the past
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Actors: States
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Issues: War and Peace
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Principles: State
sovereignty and self-interst
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Power based on: military
strength and economic
development
In the future?
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Actors: States, International
organizations, business
corporations, NGOs
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Issues: Trade, environment,
global justice, development,
etc.
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Principles: Interdependence
and human rights
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Power based on: Capacity
to cooperate; technologies to
solve global problems
PBS frontline (video selection)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Why theories?
Purpose of theories in international relations:
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Positivism: Explain and predict by reducing the complexity
of reality (examples: Neorealism, Institutionalism).
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Normativism: Challenge reality with reference to
normative standpoints/values and develop strategies of
fundamental global change (examples: Feminism and
gender equality; Marxism and class struggle; Idealism and
human rights).
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Nau’s approach (preface)
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Theories and ‘facts’
Three perspectives: power, institutions, and ideas
Three theories: realism, institutionalism, and
constructivism (idealism)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Chapter 1: Perspectives
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What do perspectives do?
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They help us reduce complexity and choose a specific
lens (example: Darfur)
Understand how leaders think
Identify the primary causes of conflict
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Chapter 1: Levels of Analysis
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Individual level (first image): psychology of leaders
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Domestic level (second image): characteristics of
the political system (example: democracy)
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International level (third image): character of the
international system (example: anarchy)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Chapter 1: Theories
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Realism: power struggles among states; solution:
balance of power
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Institutionalism: self-interested cooperation among
states; solution: regimes based on shared interests
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Constructivism (idealism, identity perspective):
differences in identities; solution: shared norms
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Who, what, why, and how?
Realism
Institutionalism
Constructivism
What is the
organizing
principle?
Anarchy
Interdependence
Norms/ideas
Who are the
main actors?
States
States
States/IGOs/NGOs
What are their
main goals?
Survival/power
Economic gain and
cooperation
Solving global
problems (maximize
(maximize domestic
well-being)
everyone’s wellbeing)
Technologic and
economic
Knowledge
What are the
core
capabilities?
(protect domestic
population)
Military
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hans Peter Schmitz