Realism
Realists argue that states prioritize this above all else in international politics.
What is security?
This international relations theory argues that institutions, trade, and cooperation can reduce conflict between states.
What is Neoliberal Institutionalism
This ancient Greek historian recorded the dialogue between Athens and Melos.
Who is Thucydides?
A situation where individuals acting in their own self-interest produce worse outcomes for everyone.
What is a collective action problem?
According to classical realist Hans Morgenthau, the primary concern of all states is survival, which is determined by this.
What is power?
Realists describe the international system using this term meaning “absence of a central authority.”
What is anarchy?
Liberals argue these organizations help states cooperate by creating rules and monitoring behavior.
What are international institutions?
In the Melian Dialogue, this powerful city-state demands that Melos surrender.
What is Athens?
A strategic game where cooperation would benefit both players but each has an incentive to defect.
What is the Prisoner’s Dilemma?
This offensive realist scholar argued that great powers seek to become regional hegemons because dominating the system is the best way to guarantee security.
Who is John Mearsheimer?
This concept describes how actions taken by one state to increase security can make other states feel less secure.
What is the security dilemma?
Liberals believe economic integration between countries can reduce incentives for this.
What is war?
This famous line from the dialogue summarizes the realist argument about power in international politics.
What is “the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”?
This term refers to a country failing to contribute to a shared effort while still benefiting from others’ cooperation.
What is a free rider?
In your Melos debate, Athens's choice of conquest, because it improves its position relative to other states, illustrates this realist concern about power.
What are relative gains?
This realist concept describes the situation where one state's efforts to increase its security unintentionally threaten other states, often leading to arms races.
What is the security dilemma?
This concept refers to countries becoming economically connected in ways that make cooperation more beneficial than conflict.
What is economic interdependence?
In the Melian Dialogue, Athens rejects moral arguments and claims that questions of justice only apply under this condition.
What is when both sides have equal power?
Agreements between countries that establish rules governing international behavior.
What are international treaties?
This liberal theory argues that democratic states rarely go to war with each other because of shared norms and institutional constraints.
What is Democratic Peace Theory?
According to structural realism, the structure of the international system is defined primarily by this factor.
What is the distribution of power among states?
This democratic peace theory claim suggests democracies rarely fight wars against this type of state.
What is another democracy?
The Melians argue that if powerful states ignore justice and destroy neutral cities, they undermine this broader principle that protects all states.
What is the norms or laws of nations (or international justice)?
This concept describes the ability to influence others without coercion, often through culture or values.
What is soft power?
This liberal argument suggests that international institutions can promote cooperation by increasing transparency, reducing uncertainty, and monitoring agreements.
What is neoliberal institutionalism?