POLI 381 Lecture Notes - Mutual Assured Destruction, Kenneth Waltz, Henry Kissinger
10 Sep 2013
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Document Summary
Anarchy is the fundamental ordering principle in that there is an absence of a single overarching authority. States are constrained by the relative power of other states (military/ economic) Systematic forces heavily effect the way in which states behave with regard to foreign policy. Neo-realists such as kenneth waltz generally view the international system as the product of state power: international system itself will define how states act. Neo-liberals such as robert keohane generally agree with neo-realists, but contend that other non-state forces, primarily economic, also impact the international system. While these two interpretations will not be the focus of discussion, they are important to know for further examining the international system. Neo have a chance to see some of the weaknesses in original view points, also the strengths. End of wwii: arrival of two super powers. Requirements of defeating the double threat of imperialistic japan and germany. Us and soviet union achieved super power status.
