PSCI 2601 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Rational Agent, Glasnost, Rationality
4 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
Isaac newton: positivism, mid 20th century; movement toward a scientifically credible methodology instead of philosophical theory, gave way to neo-realism and neo-liberalism. Neo-realism: rejected classical realism that was primarily philosophical, looked at objectively verifiable variables, structure of international system and how that affects the behaviour of the units within it (states, pessimist conclusions. Neo-liberalism: looked at role of institutions as mediating variables in the promotion of cooperation at the international level, optimistic conclusions. The 1980s: the synthesis", agreement: positivism; structure; rational actor model, disagreement: type of gains (relative v. absolute); type of actors (states v. state and non-state actors); potential for conflict/cooperation. The problem of the cold war for the neo-neo synthesis: ended in a fizzle" rather than a bang" (on relatively peaceful terms; no major direct conflict, challenge for neo-realism. Key issue is the balance of power change in this balance of power always produces conflict.
