Anarchy as the founding principle of International Relations

A theoretical overview

Essay , 2007 , 8 Seiten , Note: C

Politik - Allgemeines und Theorien zur Internationalen Politik

This essay will argue that anarchy is indeed an important characteristic, but certainly not the basic premise of international relations as a discipline. To support this, the papers first section will be a brief examination of the relevance and application of anarchy in different theoretical approaches. Starting with those strongly based on anarchy, the paper will progress to approaches which do not concentrate on anarchy. These theories will be limited only to those closely linked to the neorealist line of thought. Finally the paper will present and evaluate critical approaches to the perception of anarchy as the founding principle of IR.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Anarchy as the founding principle of International Relations
• Anarchy and its relevance in different theoretical approaches
• Structural Realism
• Liberalism
• The English School
• Social Constructivism
• Classical Realism and Liberalism
• Critical approaches to the perception of anarchy as the founding principle of IR
• Aron Sampson: Anarchy and primitive society
• Interdependence as the structural key feature of IR
• Hierarchy as the structural key feature of IR

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay examines the claim that anarchy is the founding principle of International Relations (IR). It does so by analyzing the relevance and application of anarchy in different theoretical approaches, including Structural Realism, Liberalism, the English School, and Social Constructivism. The essay also explores critical approaches that challenge the notion of anarchy as the foundational principle of IR, focusing on interdependence, hierarchy, and the anthropological critique of anarchy.

• The role of anarchy in different theoretical approaches to IR
• The relationship between anarchy and international order
• The influence of power, cooperation, and interdependence in international politics
• The limitations and challenges of the concept of anarchy in IR
• Alternative perspectives on the structural foundations of IR

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The essay begins by defining anarchy in the context of IR, contrasting it with the Hobbesian state of nature. It then argues that while anarchy is a significant characteristic of IR, it is not necessarily the fundamental principle of the discipline.

The paper explores the application of anarchy in various theoretical approaches. Structural Realism sees anarchy as the primary force shaping state behavior, leading to a self-help system. Liberalism, while acknowledging anarchy, emphasizes the possibility of cooperation and regime building. The English School views states as part of an international society bound by shared values and interests, while Social Constructivism argues that anarchy is an empty vessel, its implications determined by state interactions.

The essay then examines classical Realism and Liberalism, highlighting how they both implicitly assume anarchy but focus on power and individual rationality, respectively.

Finally, the paper presents critical approaches that challenge the centrality of anarchy. Sampson argues that the concept of anarchy is based on flawed anthropological assumptions. Interdependence theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of actors in the international system, suggesting that cooperation and conflict are both possible outcomes. Hierarchy theory argues that the international system is increasingly characterized by hierarchical structures, particularly in the context of global power dynamics.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of the text are anarchy, international relations, theoretical approaches, structural realism, liberalism, the English school, social constructivism, power, cooperation, interdependence, hierarchy, international order, state behavior, and critical perspectives.

• Hochschule: Macquarie University
• Veranstaltung: IRPG 841 Theory of International Relations
• Note: C
• Autor: Sebastian Plappert (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2007
• Seiten: 8
• Katalognummer: V154622
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640682690
• ISBN (Buch): 9783656482543
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Anarchy, International, Relations