PLS 377 Lecture 2: Lecture 2 Notes 5 - 15 - 13.pdf
Document Summary
Realism the dominant paradigm in international relations for quite some time, but many argue that it may be replaced, especially in the post cold war world. Realists rely on a lot of anecdotal evidence (history) to prove their arguments. Is not very good at what will happen in the future. Key concepts of realism is anarchic and self-help. There are no rules or laws and states must help themselves to maintain security. States are rational unitary actors, the government structure and individual do not matter. States act in their national interest, which is gain/maintain power and security. Cooperation can occur in an anarchic system, but it is only in the short term and when it serves the national interests of states involved. Different sizes because some have more power than others. Kind of like pool balls, different colors and stripes but are all essentially the same. Bipolarity two main powers, think u. s. and the soviet union.
