Lec 3

This lecture provides an overview of International Relations (IR) theories for the CSS examination, focusing on the debate between Realism and Liberalism.

Key Concepts Covered:

• Realism (Power Politics):
  • Core Assumption: The international system is defined by anarchy, meaning there is no central authority.
  • State Strategy: To survive, states prioritize self-help and the accumulation of power. This creates a cycle where states fear one another, leading to a perpetual struggle for dominance.
  • Types: States may follow Offensive Realism to maximize power or Defensive Realism to maintain security.
• Liberalism (Idealism):
  • Core Assumption: Humans are naturally altruistic, and global cooperation is achievable.
  • Critique: Liberalists argue that Realism treats individuals as a "means" for state power rather than an "end." They advocate for a shift toward Human Development (using the HDI model over GDP growth) to create lasting peace.
• Kantian Peace Triangle:
  • Immanuel Kant's framework for peace rests on three pillars:
    1. Liberal Institutionalism: Using international organizations (like the UN and ICJ) to resolve disputes through diplomacy.
    2. Liberal Commercialism: Promoting economic interdependence to make the cost of war prohibitive for elites.
    3. Liberal Internationalism: The idea that democracies are less likely to go to war, known as the Democratic Peace Theory.
• Challenges to Cooperation:
  • States face barriers like the Prisoner's Dilemma, where a lack of trust prevents cooperation, and the tendency to play Zero-Sum Games, where one state's gain is viewed as another's loss.