PLS 341: American Foreign Policy Theories in IR The Liberalisms and Idealisms

Thus Far… On Friday, we discussed four realisms: –Classical Realism –Liberal Realism –Neorealism –Neoclassical Realism Other Realisms exist: –Defensive Realism (Security dilemma) –Offensive Realism (Expansion)

Today… Today, we will discuss some of the theories of International Relations based on Idealism: –Idealism Wilsonianism Soft Wilsonianism –Liberalism –Neoliberalism –Neoconservatism Hard Wilsonianism –Institutionalism

Idealism (Wilsonianism) States should make its domestic philosophy congruent with its foreign policy International law and norms are important in creating these foreign policies –League of Nations –Open diplomacy Ethical and moral considerations are more important than the national interest

Idealism (Wilsonianism) There exist universal values These include: –Democracy –Human rights –Free trade –Women’s rights –Minority protections

Liberalism State preferences (not capabilities) are the primary determinant of state behavior Liberalism allows for plurality in state actions –Culture determines actions Interaction between states is not limited to the political (security), but includes economic and cultural Absolute gains (preferred) can be made through co-operation and interdependence.

Neoliberalism A reaction to Neorealism, not a refinement of Liberalism Primary emphasis: –Absolute gains are more important to the state than are relative gains Congruent with Neoliberal economic theory –The freer the market, the freer the people States are interdependent –This interdependence decreases conflict

Neoconservatism Hard Wilsonianism Agrees with Wilson’s Idealism concerning the existence of universal values Agrees that these values include –Democracy –Human rights –Free trade –Women’s rights –Minority protections –And the like …

Neoconservatism BUT, it disagrees with Wilson’s methods As far as International Relations is concerned: –It is really just an admixture of Wilson’s Idealism and various Realisms using American ideals as the universal ideals As far as economic theory is concerned: –It is Neoliberal economic theory –Hence, “The freer the market, the freer the people”

Institutionalism In practice, the international system is not anarchic: –There exists an implicit or explicit structure which determines how states will act within the system The term ‘institution’ (same as ‘regime’): –Rules that determine the decision- making process –A set of explicit or implicit “principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures around which actors expectations converge in a given issue-area.”

Institutionalism In other words, institutions matter in explaining particular outcomes. Why? –They structure choices –They provide incentives –They distribute power –They define identities and roles However, one could easily argue that the ‘anarchic system’ is the regime/institution

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