International relationsLesson 4 of 4 in the course International Relations

Liberalism, Complex Interdependence, and Constructivism in IR

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces liberalism as a worldview in international relations and explains how institutions and collective security can help states pursue safety through cooperation.

Liberalism as a worldview is a way of understanding how states interact and how the international system works. It is different from liberalism as a political ideology, which guides an individual’s political choices and judgments about policy.

All flashcards

What is liberalism as a worldview?
It is an approach to understanding states and the international system that emphasizes cooperation, institutions, and the ways domestic and international conditions shape state action.
What is institutionalism?
A branch of liberal thought that regards international institutions as important structures for coordinating state behavior and supporting cooperation.
What is collective security?
A cooperative security arrangement in which states commit to support the group, so a threat to one member becomes a concern for the others.
How does NATO illustrate shared security commitments?
NATO members make shared security commitments and contribute to joint efforts. Smaller members can benefit from the support and capabilities of more powerful allies, while members retain obligations of their own.
Name one limitation of institutions.
Institutions cannot guarantee agreement or compliance. Members may have conflicting interests and unequal capabilities, which can complicate a collective response.

Quiz questions

  1. What does the idea of multiple pathways in complex interdependence emphasize?Answer: Actors can pursue goals through different channels, depending on their abilities.
  2. What does the absence of a fixed hierarchy of issues mean in complex interdependence?Answer: States may treat economic, political, and social concerns as important alongside military security.
  3. What does complex interdependence suggest about the use of force?Answer: Force can be costly, encouraging cooperation without ruling out its use.
  4. In constructivism, what is a norm?Answer: An expected pattern of behavior shared or recognized by actors.
  5. How can national identity affect a state's international behavior in constructivist analysis?Answer: It can shape the state's goals and its understanding of other states.

Based on Introduction to Political Science by Mark Carl Rom, Masaki Hidaka, Rachel Bzostek Walker (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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