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Chapter 3
Theories of
International
Relations:
Realism and
Liberalism
Learning Objectives
1. Identify the major assumptions of the
realist and liberal approaches.
2. Distinguish the major strands of theory
within each approach.
3. Understand the normative positions of
realism and liberalism.
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Learning Objectives
4.
5.
6.
Summarize the major critiques of each
approach.
Identify ways in which each approach
can be linked to policy problems.
Articulate and defend an argument
concerning the relative merits of the
different approaches.
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North Korea destroys
the cooling tower of the
Yongbyon nuclear
complex in June 2008
as a visible symbol of its
commitment to abandon
its nuclear weapons
program.
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Paradigms of International Relations
 A paradigm is a set of beliefs about
 what should be taken for granted and what
needs to be investigated
 what sorts of forces are most important in the
world
 what assumptions should begin the analysis
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Paradigms of International Relations
 Five paradigms of international politics





Realism
Liberalism
Economic Structuralism
Constructivism
Feminism
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Paradigms of International Relations
 Level of analysis
 Where the analysis takes place (individual,
group, etc.)
 Theory
 Statement about how international politics
works
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Theories of International Politics Categorized by
Paradigm and Level of Analysis
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Realism
 Thucydides’ insights into international
politics
 International politics is about the exercise of
power by states
 Distribution of power determines state options
 Humans are motivated by power (to rule others)
 Distribution of power is cause of war and peace
 International politics is beyond morality
 Realism focuses on the problems of
international conflict, wars in particular
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The analysis of the
Peloponnesian War
by the Athenian
general Thucydides
has influenced
realist theory for
nearly 2500 years.
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Realism
 Central Assumptions
 Anarchy – no central ruler
 States as the central actors – international
politics is politics between states
 States as unitary actors – behavior is driven by
the conditions in the system, not by internal
politics
 States as rational actors – act in a national
interest
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Realism
 The Security Dilemma
 Primary motivation of a state is survival, and
the state must rely on self-help to survive
 Insecurity leads states to arm themselves
 Can lead to an arms race, less security
 Game theory
 Prisoner’s dilemma in international politics
 Arm (defect)
 Don’t arm (cooperate)
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Payoffs in the Prisoner’s Dilemma
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Realism
 Power in Realist Theory
 Necessary to obtain other goals
 All states compete over power
 Key question: What is power?
 Sources of state power
 Military resources
 Economic strength
 Technology
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Realism
 Normative Concerns
 Realism often considered amoral
 Altruism may risk state survival
 Government has no moral obligation to other
states
 Counterargument
 Pursuing the national interest is moral
 ‘Unethical’ means may save millions of lives
 Power politics needed to stop greater evils
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U.S. soldiers fire a mortar at Taliban forces, Kandahar
province, Afghanistan. Realists stress the importance of military
force, but warn that it may not be suitable for all purposes.
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Realism
 Variants of Realism
 Balance of Power Theory
 International stability will result from balancing
power among the most powerful states
 Hegemonic Stability Theory
 International stability from one dominant power
that ensures a degree of order in the system
 Realism at the State Level
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Polarity in International Politics
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Destroying poached elephant tusks. What does realism’s focus
on power politics tell us about international problems such as
protection of endangered species.
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Hegemonic Stability Theory Timeline
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Realism
 Realist Prescriptions
 Critiques of Realist Theory
 Sovereignty is evolving over time
 Non-state actors influence international
politics
 Domestic politics shape international politics
 No practical application
 Inability to clearly define power
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Liberalism
 Central insight:
 Possible to overcome worst aspects of a
realist world
 Common assumptions:
 Individuals are rational
 People understand their interests
 Three strands of liberal theory
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Three Strands of Liberal Theory
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Liberalism
 Liberal Institutionalism
 Systemic-level counterpoint to realism
 Shares many realist assumptions
 The nature of international anarchy, the problem
of insecurity and the notion that states can be
seen as unitary rational actors
 States can help maintain the balance of
power
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Liberalism
 Liberalism and the Prisoner’s Dilemma
 International politics is not a zero-sum game
 States have incentive and ability to overcome
the security dilemma
 Reciprocity can persuade even selfish states
to cooperate
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Liberalism
 Institutions and Anarchy
 Institutions: sets of agreed upon norms,
rules, and practices
 Formal: treaties, laws, organizations
 Informal: summits, conferences, norms
 Collaboration among states can increase
benefits without threatening survival
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Liberalism
 Institutionalism in practice
 Concert of Europe
 SALT and START agreements
 Brazilian-Argentine Agreement on the
Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy
 Cheating and Enforcement
 Possibility of cheating is disincentive to
cooperate
 Cooperation can result from rational pursuit of
self-interest
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Liberal international relations theory finds that even adversaries
under anarchy have an interest in limiting military competition.
Here, U.S. and Soviet leaders Ronald Reagan and Mikhail
Gorbachev at the height of the Cold War discuss limiting their
nuclear arsenals.
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U.S.-USSR/Russian Total Strategic
Launchers*, 1945-2002
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Liberalism
 Complex Interdependence Theory
 Multiple channels connect states and
societies
 Multiple issues motivate actors
 Military force is not as effective as in the past
 Variety of actors (pluralism) and goals
 The web of relationships
 Cooperation as a result of complex
interdependence
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Complex interdependence theory stresses the range of actors and
issues involved in international politics. In this photo, Bill Gates of
Microsoft, a transnational corporation, meets with a representative of
the European Union, a group of states, to discuss charges that
Microsoft’s software violates the European Union’s competition rules.
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Number of Telephone Subscriptions and Internet
Connections per 100 people, World, 1990 to present
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Liberalism
 Liberalism’s Normative Position
 Collaboration should be a priority in
international affairs
 Peace and progress are attainable
 The Realist Reply
 Liberal theory is too idealistic, makes states
less secure
 Anarchy is immutable
 Security is foremost
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