This literature review looks into the literature of international relations theory and the theories of Europeanisation. The first section deals with the field of international relations where realism and liberalism are presented. These theories have been selected as they are the grand theories of the field and stand in opposition to one another. The second section looks into the theories of Europeanisation. First the concept of Europeanisation is defined followed by a discussion of how the concept can be applied to third countries. The section ends with a discussion of how Europeanisation and globalisation differ.
International Relations Theory
Realism came about in the 1930s as it became apparent that the already established approach to international relation, liberalism, was not able to explain the developments of international relations (Jackson & Sørensen 2010a: 39). One of the significant scholars within classical realism is Hans J. Morgenthau (1904-1980). In his classical work “Politics among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace” (1967) he establishes the principles of realism which covers: the importance of human behaviour; the importance of power as an interest, which is defined in the terms of power, and is the most important factor when it comes to international relations. This shows the difference between realism and other approaches. Another one of Morgenthau 's principles is that the interests of a state can change and the state does not have to act
In Star Trek’s episode, “Balance of Terror”, there are differing ideals and points of view in action for two opposing sides in an epic cat-and-mouse chase in space. The members of the USS Enterprise, who are from Earth, become aware and learn of an enemy alien ship that is destroying their outposts. The reactions of the members of the USS Enterprise exemplify a combination of theories including the ideas of both realism and liberalism. The opposing enemy that the members of the USS Enterprise came into contact with engaged in ideals and actions that most predominantly reflect those of realism. In addition, in order to understand the connections of the theories mentioned previously to the actions taken by the characters in the film, one must be aware of and fully understand the
On March 20, 2003, one of the most controversial decisions in modern American history was made. George W. Bush sent American troops to invade Iraq in an attempt to remove dictator Saddam Hussein from power. Along with overthrowing Hussein, America would restructure the Iraqi government to align with both democratic principles and American ideologies. Bush justified the actions of his campaign by accusing Iraq of possessing weapons of mass destruction as well as being a threat to global security.
The Pitfalls of Liberalism was a document by Stokely Carmichael who is known as one of the most recognized exponents of the “Black Power.” Movement. Stokely Carmichaels main argument in this document is that the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King along with other civil rights activists had reached an endpoint since the use of “Widespread resistance within America” (238) was in effect. Throughout the semester, we have never seen a document where a leaders only solution to advance is by “calling for the mobilization of organized violence by African-Americans in order to seize political power” (238). The concept of calling upon one single race to take action is new.
The main themes of Before European Hegemony revolve around the many aspects of trade, disastrous events, and the many pivotal events and advancements which changed the course of the many rival nations within the era preceding total European dominance. Before European hegemony is a very thorough book, providing insights into the inner workings of several empires in the thirteenth century. The theme of missteps and misfortune among these earlier nations enables Abu-Lughod’s idea of European dominance with the thirteenth century to be solidified and supplemented with validity, with Abu-Lughod providing a flowing narrative of historical events which permitted Europe to take its place as . Abu-Lughod investigations and observations into the economics
The theory unleashes such dynamic forces that from the time of its inception up till now it has governed the international system of the world however things one day itself fall apart. The Realists mark the State as the locus of different international circles and these sovereign states have vested interests which are always selfish. Realism is a heartless theory, man is not supposed to be selfish in the way exaggerated by the Realist thinker however [he] is a seeker of knowledge and what so ever he stumbles upon, he keeps
A historian once wrote that the 19th century was “a time of bitter conflict, as the world of the past fought to remain alive.” During the 19th century, there was an emergence of the political ideologies: liberalism, conservatism, and socialism. Liberalism sought to limit the government, preserve individual freedom and believed in the hierarchy of merit. Conservatism attempted to preserve the existing order and believed in tradition over reason. Socialists believed in strengthening parliaments and the working class to bolster laborers.
Marx and Engels wrote that capitalist globalization was completely eroding the foundations of the international system of states in the mid-1840s. Conflict and competition between nation-states had not yet over in their view but the main fault-lines in future looked certain to revolve around the two main social classes: the national bourgeoisie, which controlled different systems of government, and an increasingly cosmopolitan proletariat. Over revolutionary action, the international proletariat would insert the Enlightenment principles of liberty, equality and fraternity in an exclusively new world order which would free all human beings from exploitation and domination. Many traditional theorists of international relations have pointed to the failures of Marxism or historical materialism as an explanation of world history. Marxists had undervalued the vital importance of nationalism, the state and war, and the implication of the balance of power, international law and diplomacy for the structure of world politics.
The world in which Carr knew and wrote this book about may have change greatly, however I think one can say the world is once again experiencing s transitional moment where answers no longer suffice, and affirming this books continued relevance. To conclude, the book shows us how Carr was convinced the realities of Global Power and not Utopians normative morality would shape a new international order. Carr’s work can be understood as a critique of Liberalism internationalism or what he referred to as
Idealism and Realism are two strongly opposed views of foreign policy. At the core of this opposition is the issue of power and security in politics. Realism establishes a separation between politics and ethics in order to understand and comprehend international events. Realists don’t oppose morality to politics, nor power to law, but rather oppose the utopian peaceful society to the nature of society.
Assess the claim that Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberalism have far more similarities than differences. Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberalism, two of the most influential contemporary approaches to international relations, although similar in some respects, differ multitudinously. Thus, this essay will argue it is inaccurate to claim that Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberalism have far more similarities than differences. On the contrary, it will contend that there are, in an actual fact, more of the latter than there are of the former on, for example, the nature and consequences of anarchy, the achievement of international cooperation, and the role of international institutions. Moreover, it will be structured in such a way so as to corroborate this line of argument.
The current work is meant to explain the differences and similarities between the most dominant theories in international relations, Realism and Liberalism, both theories have some similarities and differences but much more important and interesting is to discuss and explain what differs and makes similar both theories. Conflicts and wars, Similarities and differences between Realism and Liberalism: Both Liberalism and Realism believes that there is no world government that can prevent countries to go to war on one another. For both theories military power is important and both Realism and Liberalism can understand that countries can use military power to get what they need or want. Also, both theories are conscious that without military
Instead Waltz sets out to prove his international relations theory in a scientific manner, while choosing to ignore the normative concerns of classical and neoclassical realism (Jackson and Sørensen, 2003: 84). The theory of neorealism – or structural realism – focuses on structures (and on the interacting units, the constants and the changes of the system) as the determinative powers within the scope of international relations (main principle of those being that of anarchy). Jackson and Sørensen (2003: 84) also point out that actors are viewed
Therefore, it provides differences between the status quo power and progressive states, while maintaining and emphasizing the importance of government at the same time. In contrary, Structural Realism is more concerned on ensuring their survival, by seeking and maintaining that power. Structural Realism would treat states as they are black boxes: they are assumed to be alike (Mearsheimer). Furthermore, Classical Realism and Structural Realism differ in their views of interconnection in international politics, fundamentally what causes the observed outcomes in relations among states. Classical Realists believe that the international world is one of interacting states, and causes run in one direction.
As the famous saying goes, “The strong do what they will while the weak do what they must," so let it be with the counties of the world and the role they play in International Politics. Eurocentrism is a concept that places Europe at the centre of the world. Assuming that it is self containing and self representing, the entire world is looked at with Europe at the centre. Eurocentrism bias leads to an illogical understanding of International Relations and makes politics and judgement to incline in the favour of the powerful. In this essay, I will critique the Eurocentric nature of International Relations theory and world politics.
Actors have interests; while realists such as Machiavelli insist the state is the only unit of analysis necessary in international politics, idealists argue that just as states have interests, people in government have interests as well. Therefore, Realism and Idealism begin their assessment of actors from two different perspectives, however, both schools of thought go on to identify many characteristics of actors which are largely similar. For both realists and idealists, actors are autonomous; they exist independently and retain sovereign rights over material and non-material resources. In both Realism and Idealism actors are said to possess prioritized interests and preferences.