PSCI 2601 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Rational Choice Theory, Colin Powell, John Ruggie
21 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
1980s are dominated by the neo-neo synthesis, which shared: the rational actor model, positivism, structural causation. But diverged on the potential for cooperation/order in world politics: neo-realists argue that cooperation is hard to achieve, neo-liberals argue that cooperation can be achieved through multilateral organizations and shared norms and institutions. 1980s also marked by some scholarship critical of the neo-neo synthesis: John ruggie argues that neo-realists, who emphasize the status quo, overlook important changes to the international system. From feudalism to sovereignty: richard ashley argues that neo-realists who emphasize that all states have the same interests, overlook the role of ideas/norms in shaping those interests. Security as a product of ideas/norms: alexander wendt argues that neo-liberals, who take the identities of states as given, overlook the creation of norms and their influence on the identities of states. In response to critical scholarship, the neo-neo mainstream responds by noting that constructivists need to support their claims with empirical evidence.
