POL 1102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Neoliberalism, Hegemony, Missile Defense

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POL 1102
• Professor: Daniel Pierre- Antoine

Document Summary

Realists commonly argue that, in an anarchic system in which there is no higher authority, p(cid:396)o(cid:448)idi(cid:374)g o(cid:374)e(cid:859)s o(cid:449)(cid:374) security becomes the most important responsibility. Realists insist the international system is zero-sum (sum of wins = sum of losses) However, the liberals and constructivists will assert that there is room for misperception and dist(cid:396)ust that (cid:272)a(cid:374) lead states to assu(cid:373)e that othe(cid:396)s(cid:859) effo(cid:396)ts to e(cid:374)su(cid:396)e thei(cid:396) o(cid:449)(cid:374) se(cid:272)u(cid:396)it(cid:455) a(cid:396)e actually veiled moves to attain an advantage. Realists tend to see the security dilemma as a fundamental driver of international relations. With reference to the international system, a debate has arisen within neorealism as to whether states maximize power in order to ensure their own security (defensive realism) or as an end in itself (offensive realism) Defensive realism conceives of states as responding to the security dilemma and therefore constantly ensuring their own defensive capabilities.