POLD09H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Democratic Peace Theory, Security Dilemma, Neoliberalism
Document Summary
We have the most unprotected border from the south and the states are our major trading partner. Core assumptions: the international system is anarchic states are the most important actors in international relations - there are different types of states. Domestic politics matters cooperation between states is possible (not guaranteed) - states are interested in absolute gain. Liberalism liberalism looks at regime type and domestic politics to explain how states behave in the international system domestic politics, leadership styles and societal pressures. Actors: states (liberalism) (interest groups, lobbying groups) (neo-liberal institutionalism) actors: states and also the international organization. Nature of states: both liberalism and nli agree that: states are capable of cooperation and peaceful relationship conflict is possible, but it is not inevitable. Context: liberalism agrees that states interact with each other in an anarchic international system neo-liberal institutionalists add that states can build international institutions to help reduce uncertainty and improve their relations within that anarchic context.
