International Relations

PSC 124.200: Introduction

Today

Are you registered for this class?

Digital pictures
Overview of the syllabus
Index cards
Nau, preface and introduction

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

The question for this course

Are international relations undergoing fundamental

and irreversible changes?
Is the international system shifting away from statecentrism?
Are non-state actors effectively challenging states?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

Are you

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

What are international relations?

Political: States, IGOs, and NGOs

Economic: Multinational corporations (MNCs)

Traditional (states only): War, diplomacy, sanctions, foreign

aid, military alliances, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
Non-traditional (including non-state actors): Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), terrorism, drug trade
Trade in goods, financial services, remittances, sanctions, drug
trade

Social/Cultural: Ideas and individuals

Migration, tourism, professional organizations, human rights,

adoptions, religion, etc.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

From inter-national politics to global affairs?

Actors: States

Issues: War and Peace

In the past

In the future?

Actors: States, International

organizations, business
corporations, NGOs

Issues: Trade, environment,

global justice, development,
etc.

Principles: Interdependence
and human rights

Power based on: Capacity

to cooperate; technologies to
solve global problems

Principles: State
sovereignty and self-interst
Power based on: military
strength and economic
development

PBS frontline (video selection)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

Why theories?

Purpose of theories in international relations:

Positivism: Explain and predict by reducing the complexity

of reality (examples: Neorealism, Institutionalism).

Normativism: Challenge reality with reference to

normative standpoints/values and develop strategies of
fundamental global change (examples: Feminism and
gender equality; Marxism and class struggle; Idealism and
human rights).
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

Naus approach (preface)

Theories and facts

Three perspectives: power, institutions, and ideas
Three theories: realism, institutionalism, and
constructivism (idealism)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

Chapter 1: Perspectives

What do perspectives do?

They help us reduce complexity and choose a specific

lens (example: Darfur)
Understand how leaders think
Identify the primary causes of conflict

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

Chapter 1: Levels of Analysis

Individual level (first image): psychology of leaders

Domestic level (second image): characteristics of

the political system (example: democracy)

International level (third image): character of the

international system (example: anarchy)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

Chapter 1: Theories

Realism: power struggles among states; solution:

balance of power

Institutionalism: self-interested cooperation among

states; solution: regimes based on shared interests

Constructivism (idealism, identity perspective):

differences in identities; solution: shared norms
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz

Who, what, why, and how?

Realism

Institutionalism

Constructivism

What is the
organizing
principle?

Anarchy

Interdependence

Norms/ideas

Who are the

main actors?

States

States

States/IGOs/NGOs

What are their

main goals?

Survival/power

Economic gain and

cooperation

Solving global
problems (maximize

(maximize domestic
well-being)

everyones well-being)

Technologic and
economic

Knowledge

What are the

core
capabilities?

(protect domestic
population)

Military

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hans Peter Schmitz