GOVT-130 FA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Kenneth Waltz, Power Politics, Security Dilemma
11 Feb 2017
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Sisu-105 - textbook note - wendt, anarchy is what states make of it. Wendt"s argument: how we perceive global politics is often the result of what words we use to describe events. Permissive causal claim: in anarchy war is always possible. Active causal claim: war may occur at any moment. In the permissive view, only if human or domestic factors cause a to attack b will b have to defend itself. Waltz defines political structures on three dimensions: ordering principles, principles of differentiation, and distribution of capabilities. This definition does not predict whether two states will be friends or enemies, will recognize each other"s sovereignty, will have dynastic ties, or whether they will be revisionist or status quo powers. These factors affect states" security interests and their interactions under anarchy. Self-help is an intersubjective structure that helps explain this part of the theory.
