Introduction to International Relations The nature of debates between neo Realists and neo Liberalists on the concept of cooperation I38019 Gvantsa Gogaladze

Questions What is the nature of debates between neo Realists and neo Liberalists on the concept of cooperation in a variety of issues in International Relations? What are the main thoughts of each side and which side do you find more reasonable and why? 

While analyzing international relationships theoretically the concept of cooperation comes first, that is one of the basic subjects of ”neo-neo” debates.

Neo Liberalism Neo Realism There are other key new actors in world affairs such as international agencies, supranational bureaucracies, labor unions, and transgovernmental coalitions. technology knowledge and interdependence of domestic welfares on international society undermine the force of international anarchy States are becoming more oriented toward economic growth and social security. States are the major actors in world affairs International anarchy is a major force for shaping the motives and actions of states. States in anarchy are preoccupied with power and security Main aim – Survival Self – helping system

Co-operation Neo-Realists pay less attention to cooperation and believe, that cooperation between sovereign states within the anarchic international system is an irrational decision and if the states cooperate they do it only because the state wants to benefit at the expense of others.

Neo liberalists Focus on regimes and their roles Neo liberalists Focus on regimes and their roles. They urge that interdependence between states, especially economic interdependence, is the most important and determining factor of world policy.

Realists saying that the cooperation mostly impossible because of the various reasons: Relative gains. Concern about cheating. Constant threat of war among the states The threat of betrayal among the state States are afraid that in case of cooperation the other actor will gain more profit compared with them.

Neo liberalists Focusing on Absolute gain. Political economy. International institutes can have a big influence on how the state will behave and they contribute to make mutually beneficial agreements among the states. The institution established after cooperation will protect the states from betrayal. Be protected from cheating with laws of international institutes.

Conclusion Neo-realists are pessimistic and believe anarchic international system and existence of security dilemma make the cooperation impossible. When neo liberalists are optimistic and believing that co-operation can be reached and with it could be able to reach absolute gains.