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Understanding Understanding Global PoliticsGlobal Politics

Lecture 4: Neo-Realism/Lecture 4: Neo-Realism/

Structural RealismStructural Realism

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Core assumptionsCore assumptions Anarchy as the defining feature of the Anarchy as the defining feature of the

international political system.international political system. Structure of the system as a major Structure of the system as a major

determinant of state behavior (hence determinant of state behavior (hence structural realism).structural realism).

States as rational actors.States as rational actors. States as self-interest oriented actors.States as self-interest oriented actors. National survival as the most critical National survival as the most critical

problem in the anarchic international problem in the anarchic international system.system.

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Kenneth WaltzKenneth WaltzA Theory of International PoliticsA Theory of International Politics

(1979)(1979) Identified problems in Identified problems in

classical realism.classical realism. Main problem = state-Main problem = state-

centric.centric. Theory should tell us Theory should tell us

about units (states) and about units (states) and system as a whole.system as a whole.

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International systemInternational system

state-level explanations are state-level explanations are important but the impact of structure important but the impact of structure should be examinedshould be examined

Structure defined by anarchy and the Structure defined by anarchy and the distribution of capabilities across distribution of capabilities across states.states.

No differentiation of functions No differentiation of functions between different states. between different states.

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Distribution of capabilitiesDistribution of capabilities Power defined more broadly to go Power defined more broadly to go

beyond military power and ability to beyond military power and ability to use military poweruse military power

Power defined as the combined Power defined as the combined capabilities of statescapabilities of states

States are functionally similar but States are functionally similar but different in terms of their powerdifferent in terms of their power

Power/capabilities as determinants of Power/capabilities as determinants of state behaviour/foreign policy choicestate behaviour/foreign policy choice

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The Balance of PowerThe Balance of Power

The distribution of power at a The distribution of power at a systemic level.systemic level.

A mechanism to prevent the A mechanism to prevent the dominance of any one state in the dominance of any one state in the international system.international system.

Can be natural or strategy pursued Can be natural or strategy pursued by states.by states.

Does not preserve peace, but Does not preserve peace, but preserves security of states.preserves security of states.

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HegemonyHegemony

One state is dominant in the One state is dominant in the international system.international system.

Two periods of hegemony: Pax-Two periods of hegemony: Pax-Britannica and Pax-Americana.Britannica and Pax-Americana.

When conditions of hegemony When conditions of hegemony prevail – much better chance prevail – much better chance institutions will be created and/or institutions will be created and/or function effectivelyfunction effectively

Why?Why?

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Hegemonic Stability Theory (HST)Hegemonic Stability Theory (HST)

Developed to explain the collapse of Developed to explain the collapse of economies and the onset of economies and the onset of depression in early 20depression in early 20thth Century. Century.

International system always tends International system always tends towards instability.towards instability.

But this can be avoided if dominant But this can be avoided if dominant state assumes leadership state assumes leadership (hegemonic) role.(hegemonic) role.

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Example of HST in actionExample of HST in action

Bretton Woods system (GATT, World Bretton Woods system (GATT, World Bank, IMF)Bank, IMF)

Provided system of economic rules, Provided system of economic rules, values and norms based on US values and norms based on US domination of world system post domination of world system post 1945.1945.

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To conclude …To conclude …

Neo-realists are more concerned Neo-realists are more concerned than classical realists with the than classical realists with the systemsystem in which states exist and in which states exist and interact.interact.

It is also more concerned with It is also more concerned with conditions of conditions of international anarchyinternational anarchy

Bridges realism with liberalism: Bridges realism with liberalism: introduces idea of co-operation introduces idea of co-operation BUTBUT via hegemonic powers. via hegemonic powers.