IR and the New World Order

• Francesco Cavatorta

• Francesco.Cavatorta@dcu.ie

• Textbook: The Globalization of World Politics by John Baylis and Steve Smith

The Course is NOT

• Current International Affairs

• History

…The Course is

• Theories

• What is a theory? It is a simplifying device that gives a specific interpretation of facts and suggest solutions on how to deal with

issues

The Main Issues

• War: conflict among organised social groups. Constant preoccupation of those studying international politics. How to end war? Is it possible to end war?

• Global inequalities. A more recent development due to globalisation. A just world society would eliminate conflicts?

Classical Realism

• Main proponent: Hans Morgenthau

• Human nature is driven to acquiring power and therefore states behave like individuals.

• International politics is power politics

Neo Realism

• Main proponent: Ken Waltz

• International politics is indeed power politics !

• Absence of world government and therefore countries compete for power.

• Success is built on military strength

International Liberalism

• Proponents: Michael Doyle, Andrew Moravcsik, Deudney and Ikenberry

• Intl’ politics is not only power politics

• A normative theory (prescribes behaviour)

• Economic interdependence, International organisations, international law.

• Domestic structure matters

Marxism

• Main proponent: Immanuel Wallerstein

• The world is divided between exploiters and exploited. This applies to states as well as to individuals.

• Economic exploitation enforced by military means.

• Conflict is good if it liberates people.