POL208Y5 Chapter Notes - Chapter all: Rent-Seeking, Andrew Moravcsik
2 Nov 2016
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For liberals the configuration of states preferences matters most in world politics. Li(cid:271)eral theory rests o(cid:374) a (cid:862)(cid:271)otto(cid:373)-up(cid:863) (cid:448)ie(cid:449) of politi(cid:272)s i(cid:374) (cid:449)hi(cid:272)h the demands of individuals and societal groups are treated as analytically prior to politics. Socially differentiated individuals defined their material and ideational interests independently of politics and then advance those interests through political exchange and collective action. Liberal theory rejects the utopian notion that an automatic harmony of interest exists among the individuals and groups in society; scarcity and differentiation introducing inevitable measure of competition. Where social incentives for exchange and collective action are perceived to exist, individuals and groups exploit them: the greater than expected benefits the stronger the incentive to act. Liberal theory seeks to generalize about the social conditions under which the (cid:271)eha(cid:448)ior of self i(cid:374)terested a(cid:272)tors" (cid:272)o(cid:374)(cid:448)erge(cid:374)(cid:272)e to(cid:449)ard cooperation or conflict. Deep irreconcilable differences in beliefs promote conflict, where as complementary beliefs promote harmony and cooperation.
