POL 3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Hegemony, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hamid Karzai
8 Jun 2018
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Lecture 5
3 Levels of analysis: different places to look for explanatory variables
1. International system Level= characteristics of system or international and regional
organizations (include MNCs) and their relative strengths and weakness
2. State Level= characteristics of the state(type of government, type of economic system,
interest groups within state, and or the national interest
3. Individual level= personality, perceptions, choices, and activities of individual decision
makers and mass public
International System Level
system= an assemblage of units (states) united by some form of regular interaction- we need
the states interactions
Key explanations
1. Relationship b/w the states (distribution of power)
2. Modes of state interaction
Realism and International system
anarchic->self-help> need power (material capabilities/ability to conquer)
Polarity of the system Key
1. Multipolar= distribution of the power to conquer is concentrated in more than two states
1. Stable if states follow rules of shifting alliances: to be stable
1. Formed for a specific purpose (to balance)
2. Are fluid and of short duration
3. Shift according to advantage rather than ideology- all depends on how much
power the guy has EX WWII Russia and Britain
2. Bipolar= distribution of power to conquer is concentrated in two states of coalition
find more resources at oneclass.com
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1. Stable if alliances:
1. Longer term
2. Based on permanent interest (ideology/friendship)
3. Unipolar= power to conquer all other states resides within single states
1. Stable if hegemon willing and able to act to preserve status quo- hegemon limit and
defied hat it’s goig to do
Realists and change in the system:
1. Changes in distribution of power change the system
1. Sources of changes in distribution power:
1. War
1. EX decline of Britain and France and rise of US and USSR after WWII
2. States response to economic and technological developments at uneven rates
1. EX Rapidly industrializing east Asian States
Liberalism and the International system
1. Less consequential explanatory level of analysis
2. 3 conceptions of international system in liberal thinking
1. Interdependent system
1. Many levels of connections b/w states
1. Formal government interactions +IGOs, NGOs, MNCs, sub state actors
2. Multilateral interactions- global warming, security
2. International order: governed by shard rules and principles
1. Goal of leading states: to create rules that are durable & legitimate (and also
serve their interests)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
International system level system= an assemblage of units (states) united by some form of regular interaction- we need the states interactions. Key explanations: relationship b/w the states (distribution of power, modes of state interaction. Realism and international system anarchic->self-help> need power (material capabilities/ability to conquer) States level of analysis: 4 legal requirements to be states, have a defined territory, have a stable population, have a effective government, be recognized diplomatically by other states. Realism and state level: state is an autonomous, unitary, sovereign actor, constrained only by the anarchy of system, national interest: national security (and thus gaining power so be secured ) Liberalism and state level: state pluralist arena (political interaction )that ensures societal and governmental groups compete fairly in politics, no single, explicit, or consistent national interest, national interests reflect interests and relative power of competing groups in states. Individual level of analysis: motives, preferences, and perception of individuals can influence international politics.
