POLSCI 1G06 Lecture 10: March 25 & 27, 2014 - International Organizations - Lecture 10A 10B.doc
31 Dec 2014
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Document Summary
Each international relations theory that we have examined offers a different perspective on the significance of international organizations: international organizations can be viewed as nothing more than instruments for some other actor e. g. realism. International organizations have very little autonomy or power. International organizations act where, when, and how, powerful states tell them to act: international organizations can be viewed as having a semi-autonomous impact - e. g. liberal institutionalism. They might not initiate changes in the direction of world politics, but they can make certain outcomes possible that would not be possible in their absence. For example, they can help overcome prisoners dilemma type situations: they can be viewed as autonomous and independent actors that have the ability to influence international events independently. Either through hard power: or soft power establishing the norms and intellectual frameworks through which other actors see the world (as in constructivism)
