International system Units/agents/actors

International system

• Units/agents/actors

• Structure

• Interdependence between units/agents

• Regular interactions between units

• Functional differentiation between units

Types of theories

• Reductionist theories-explain international outcomes through national/individual elements

• Systemic theories-explain international outcomes through other actors and interactions between these actors

Images of IR-Kenneth Waltz

• 1st image-source of conflict is in man’s nature

• 2nd image-source of conflict is in internal organization of states

• 3rd image-source of conflict is in the international political environment

International system

• Nature of units/relative capabilities determine structure

• i.e. distribution of power: if there is concentration of power in one state-unipolar system;

• in two states-bipolar

• In three states-tripolar

Types of international systems

• Independent state system

• Hegemonic state system-one preponderant state determine basic rules

• Imperial state system-supremacy of one state-loss of sovereignty for the other units

• Feudal system

Structure

• Underlying principle as to how units relate to one another

• Distribution of power/capabilities

• Functional differentiation between actors

• These determine a state’s interests

• Anarchy-leads to self-help situation for states

Realist assumptions

• State-centric assumption

• Rationality assumption

• Power assumption

Neorealism

• Anarchic condition

• International system is one of self-help

• Actions of states result from the nature of international politics

• Relationships between certain aspects of the system and actor behavior

Neorealist propositions

• Small states will behave differently from large states

• Alliances will shift in response to changes in power relationships

• Internal attributes of actors are given by assumption rather than treated as variables,ie. Changes in actor behavior result from the changes in the system.

International structure-

• constant elements :

• International system is anarchic-not hierarchic

• It is characterized by interactions among units with similar functions

• Variable: distribution of capabilities/power

Balance of power

• Self-help leads to the formation of balances of power

• Balance of power becomes an outcome of the anarchic international structure

Major weaknesses

• Classical realism-fail to explain change

• Classical realism-fail to explain why states do not maximize power in benign conditions

• Neorealism-fail to explain how interests are deduced from the system

• Neorealism-fail to predict outcomes from interests and power even when interests are taken as given