POL326Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Social Contract, Renewable Energy, Noam Chomsky
Document Summary
Liberal and pluralist notion of the state: view the state as a dependent variable. Origin: states are created by a community to serve their interests. Based on a social contract between the governed and those that govern. Idea that state itself is subject to these laws (no one is above the law). State is a neutral entity, forces within state try to influence to best suit their interest. Elections, legislative procedures, efforts to influence legislatures through lobbying (interest groups) Foreign policy is not considered much different than domestic politics. Intentions of policies are meant to influence things outside of the border. Liberal and pluralist ideas are the best place to look for explanations. Certain aspects of foreign policy, reasonably powerful: trade policy. (usa- trade rather than other aspects of foreign policy, under power of congress) Trade: has an impact on the external and internal environment. Whether trade deals go through, depends on internal politics.