IAFF 1005 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Utopia, Information Revolution, Proletariat
29 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Equates theory with hypothesis, speculation, or your uninformed, half-baked opinion . A well-developed, inter-connected set of ideas and propositions about how the world works. A broader framework accepted by a scientific community. Contains core assumptions/axioms, concepts, methodologies; may contain several sets of theories. Uncertainty about the intentions/capabilities of others compounds mistrust and security concerns. States are the dominant actors in the system. Neo-realism: the international system generates a general tendency toward competition (waltz) Offensive realism: states seek to maximize power and pursue hegemony; competition is intense (mearsheimer) Defensive realism: states seek security; can cooperate under some circumstances; depends on the intensity of security dilemmas (jervis) The motives/goals of states vary; these are not system-level factors, but they matter. Realists theories focus on some of the classic, central issues in international affairs. Great-power relations; occurrence of security competitions, arms races, escalating crises, armed conflicts and wars. Focus is on the role of the states.
