POLSCI 2I03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Conventional Warfare, Manhattan Project, Security Studies

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLSCI 2I03
• Professor: Andrew Lui

Document Summary

Security studies is the pinnacle sub-field of ir, not necessarily the only one but largely one of the most important ones. Classical realism: states are always at war, or constantly preparing for war. We try to mitigate the frequency at which we go to war. Structural realism: much more way of discounting norms and morals of ir. Anarchy is the key variable which makes war possible. The other factor within ir is the balance of power. Therefore, look at the security studies as a balance of power. Neoliberal institutionalism: looking at institutions as means of mitigating conflicts. Constructivism: look at actors predisposition to war at a function of activity. Certain actors are less likely to go to war with each other. Security institutions, or regional organizations, constructivist would argue that identities and the collective ideas which are foundation of that state, will explain why the state would or when it ll go on war.