POLS 2940 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Woodrow Wilson, Liberal Democracy, Security Dilemma
30 Nov 2017
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Document Summary
Explain why one theory best represents the nature of the international system. Triumph of liberal ideas following wwi and following collapse of soviet empire. Triumph of political ideals waxes and wanes in particular circumstances. Ho man quote from reading - nature of international politics itself seems to correspond better to realism than liberalism. Realism & liberalism - two dominant "classical" approaches to international politics, although realism is often considered most dominant. International politics as product of ideas -> ideas can change (possibilities for progress) Positive-sum view of international politics, as opposed to realism"s zero-sum (when one gains power, one loses power) - increasing power does not necessarily come at one"s expense. Liberal approaches to international relations draw on key liberal thinkers eg. locke, kant, In previous weeks, hobbes, state of nature, state of war - liberal thinkers reacted similarly, but rather than looking at this system as inherent and unchangeable - look towards creating a more just system.
