V focus on predicting how a rational state would behave in its

own interests

V if every state can predict how other states will react to its
actions, armed conflict can be avoided

V states (or nations) are always engaged in a struggle for

power

V the use of power to fulfill the interest of a nation is more

important than any form of morality

V ´national power" is composed of geography, economy and

natural resources, population, military strength and
preparedness, national character and moral strength, and
the competency of the national government

V states are rational and unitary

V `ll nations must see positive incentive for keeping
the peace

V Strong focus on military and security

V IOs, international agreements, and the ¶rules of the

game· are just reflections of existing power
arrangements among states
× î in UNSC
× Implementation of UNSC
× U.S. not ratifying ICC
jiberal Theory
V focuses on ways to avoid interstate conflict by regulating
state behaviour
V focuses on international Y
YY
and



V comparable to the "social contract" of Rousseau
× states value their freedom to act in their self-interest, but
they realize that they lose some of that freedom to act if
they are in constant conflict with other states; therefore,
they voluntarily give up some of that freedom and create
international institutions
× these institutions create contacts for interstate co-
operation and rules to resolve interstate conflicts
× liberal theorists often study institutions such as the United
Nations and the European Union
V there are universal goals such as human
rights that are realizable by all
V ¶citizens of the world· argument: we are
responsible for people outside our
boundaries
V belief in checks-and-balances such as
elections, representation, due process,
etc.
Exercise:

V This house supports vote-buying in

international political orgs

V THBT the WTO should not open its doors

to Russia
Other important concepts
V Governance is not all about formal government
× other ways of managing/disciplining populations
(cultural norms, religion, family, etc.)

V The state is not the beginning and the end

× states vs. nations
× MNCs and business unions! ² decide labor migration,
influence social and econ policies; affect environment
× subnational and transnational actors (NGOs, social
movements, IOs)
O NGOs ² research, key operations, political
recruitment, interest aggregation and articulation,
public awareness
× states are not unitary (different social forces; debate
can be about which to empower)
O ex. sanctions on Iraq/Iran
V Sovereignty is fluid
× To what extent is intervention justifiable?