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Global Politics: A Level2023-2024
, Global Politics- Chapter 17 Comparative Theory
Realism vs Liberalism
• a skeptical view of human nature
• A positive view of human nature
REALIST EXAMPLE - Thomas Hobbs
Classical realism is founded on the belief that since human beings are motivated solely by self
gain. Nation states act the same way thus they believe the world is an anarchic.
According to realism
• the nation prioritizes national interests above anything
• Nation states are the most important in global politics
• States should be as powerful and they can be
• No other has the authority to limit the behavior of others
• Prioritize their own security rather than depend on IGO’s
• Liberal principals are irrelevant
Liberalism
• a much more optimistic view of human nature
• humans are rational and cooperative
They have a polycentric view of global polities in which states cooperate with-each other and
with other institutions
Acc to liberalism.
• human nature is rational and cooperative rather than aggressive
• conflict is not inevitable due to rational decisions
• international organizations and the rule of law provide framework
• human rights, free trade and liberal democragy encourage cooperation
• globalization and regionalism provide opportunities
Realism vs Liberalism Realism Liberalism
Human nature Skeptical and selfish Positive and capable of selflessness
An archaic and lacking Independent with interaction
International order
supranational order
Avoidable
Conflict Inevitable
,Examples of realist thinkers
1. International politics is driven by end of struggle for power, which route itself in the
1. Thucydides
human nature
2. Machiavelli
2. Political realism recognize the principles are subordinated to policies in the skill of the
3. Hobbes
state leaders adopt a change in the political power
4. Rousseau
3. Human beings have an insatiable lust for power for fear and worry of death
4. Not human nature, but the anarchic system that fosters fear, jealousy and suspicion, and
insecurity
Neorealists
L
Classical realism Neo structural realism
• conflict happens because people suck • Conflict top it’s because the anarchical structure of the
international system sucks
3 core elements of realism
1. Statism
• state represents the collective will of the people
• Legitimacy enables to exercise authority
• Outside the boundaries anarchy exists
2. Survival
• Because an a anarchic international environment exists, a leaders first priority is to ensure survival of the state
• To ensure survival, the pursuit of power is necessary
3. Self help
• Each actor is responsible for ensuring his own well-being
• Each actor should augment it’s powered by increasing its military capabilities if it feels threatened
• state should not trust international institution, such of the UN and the EU
Complex interdependence- the liberal belief that there are many connections and relationships that
states share which make them mutually dependent on each other and reduces the risk of conflict
, Liberal view of human nature
• Fundamentally cooperative, wishing to seek the best outcomes for the collective good
• Strong belief in interdependence, low priority placed on defending national sovereignty, willing to share power
• Human beings, like states, are capable of self-development (J.S.Mill)
• Conflict/war will be a last resort when reason and argument have failed (rationalism). They will seek to resolve conflict
through cooperation and negotiation (link with developmental individualism)
• There is a moral dimension to human nature, based on reason and an awareness of the value of treating others with
respect
Realist view of human nature
• Prioritises national interest, selfish, is not willing to concede power to a higher authority (eg IGOs).
• Like humans, states, desire individual gain and advancement which will result in conflict (link to Hobbes)
Evidence of liberal views in global politics
• An increase in IGOs and global governance, political global governance (eg the UN, EU — see Chapters 3 and 8).
• An increase in economic global governance, including through IGOs such as the IMF, World Bank and World Trade
Organization (WTO, see Chapter 4).
• Steady, even if slow, progress on environmental global governance, through institutions (such as the UNFCC) and /
specific UN-led summits (such as the Paris and Copenhagen summits — see Chapter 6).
Evidence of liberal views in global politics
• The existence of international human rights legislation and institutions for enforcement (such as the International
Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights — see Chapter 5).
• An increase in democratic states (see page 24).
• An increase in complex interdependence and states willing to participate in such a system (see page 21).
Evidence of realist views in global politics
• Realists prioritise state sovereignty over other interests (see Distinguish between box on page 23).
• States should be wary of giving up power to IGOs and protecting power of veto as far as possible, for example
through the UNSC (see page 100).
• The security dilemma still sees states protecting their own national interests and wanting to compete for power
with other states. Tensions between NATO and Russia are an example of this.
Evidence of realist views in global politics
• States frequently ignore international law (see page 185) in respect of human rights abuses. States still remain the most
powerful actors in this field, and have the ability to decide against signing up to international human rights laws and
sometimes to ignore the decisions of enforcement institutions such as the International Criminal Court and the European
Court of Human Rights.
• International trade and economic global governance in many areas is still driven by selfish state interests, particularly
the gridlock in the WTO.
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