PSC 2440 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Brac (Ngo), Oil Depletion, Economy Of The Soviet Union
Document Summary
Introduction: offensive neo-realism is a viable theory for the study of international affairs, because it is so strong in explaining con icts of hegemony. The examination of balance of power, the importance placed on high power issues, and the projection of con icts traced to shifting international poles of power make it a relevant and accurate study. Neo-realism underestimates the importance of soft power: weakness because military power does not necessarily lead to economic and political power. There are times when overt force is not necessarily the best strategy: qatar has a very small population, and no signi cant military power. However it is the wealthiest country in the world, and has very robust healthcare, education, and social security programs. Rising sea levels and increased frequency of natural disasters will eliminate communities, rising tempera- tures will lead to drought and heat death, and a changing climate will shift agricultural patterns, potentially leading to mass starvation.
