GOVT-060 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Security Dilemma, Stag Hunt, Free Rider Problem
2 Apr 2017
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Realism: main points, geography matters, military power is key, war = a bargaining issue; states have private information and incentives to misrepresent that information to. Focus on capabilities more than intentions (rely on intelligence) --> balancing power: pessimistic view of humans and the prospects for cooperation. States define their national interest in terms of power to survive. States are rational: views on institutions --> don"t really make a difference; are weak on security, views on collective action problems --> one/few actors should assume costs for the public good. Looking for relative gains: views on collective security, pessimistic; it is hard when states don"t have their national interest at stake. Seen as the father of realism: melian dialogues, athenians = realists, melians = constructivists/idealists, central problem --> war and the use of force, central actors --> the states, main thinkers. There are no permanent enemy/friend states, just permanent interests.
