Theories of International Politics and Zombies Introduction
This introduction delves into theories of international politics using zombies to explore Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Feminism, and more. What would happen in a zombie apocalypse? How do Realism and Zombies intersect? Can cooperation exist amid chaos?
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Presentation Transcript
THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS AND ZOMBIES INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO IR Using zombies to introduce theories of IR (most prominent theoretical arenas) Realism Liberalism Constructivism Feminism Other (i.e. Marxism)
WHAT IS A THEORY? Generalizable explanation of how the world works. A logically consistent set of statements that explain a phenomenon of interest. Theories try to: describe the world; offer predictions of the world; provide answers to puzzles that we have; help to prescribe policy responses. Theories do not test hypotheses of the world.
THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE HAS BEGUN What would happen to international politics if the dead rose from the grave and started to eat the living? Construct a model for how things would work, so we make assumptions that simplify the process we are examining What assumptions does Drezner make? What is a zombie? What is its interests? What are humans interests? Each of these theories will make assumptions about the world that will explain what the interests are of the actors that lead to specific interactions between them in a zombie apocalypse, and what institutions may exist within that world.
REALPOLITIK (REALISM) No central authority in international politics (anarchy) Lack of high level institutions/structures that can regulate and force states to behave in a specific way; Self-help system; The state is the dominant actor. States seek security and/or power (interests). States interests are generally in conflict. i.e. my security may encroach on your security.
REALISM AND ZOMBIES the strong will do what they can and the weak must suffer devouring by reanimated, ravenous corpses State Interests: geography matters; material wealth matters; State Interactions: buck-passing; augmenting capabilities and interests; bait and bleed strategies
LIBERAL WORLD ORDER Cooperation is still possible in a world of anarchy. International politics has an extensive scope for cooperation. Actors often have common interests, which can serve as the basis for cooperation. Open global economy increases interdependence locks in incentives for cooperation Conflict is not inevitable but occurs when actors fail to recognize or act on common interests.
LIBERAL WORLD ORDER Many types of actors are important, and no single interest dominates (many varieties of liberalism). Wealth is a common goal for many actors. Actors (examples): International Organizations: (like the UN) can have an effect on state actions, and elongating the shadow of the future. Multinational Corporations: interdependence States: cooperate because they recognize common interests.
LIBERALISM AND ZOMBIES rules for surviving a zombie-infested landscape beyond the need for cardio workouts is the need for disparate individuals to credibly commit to each other. Sustainable cooperation with zombies would be next to impossible iZombie (CW) scenario increase the shadow of the future; create institutions for/about zombies. Zombies present a negative externality. cooperation amongst the humans. powerful governments would create international institutions.
CONSTRUCTIVISM Social construction of reality Many types of actors are important. Interactions socialize actors to hold particular interests Importance of identity in explaining and interpreting behavior Actors interests are influenced by norms dictated by culture, identity and prevailing ideas. Actors choices often reflect norms of appropriate behavior, rather than interests.
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF ZOMBIES Zombies threaten the powerful human norm of not devouring each other for sustenance or pleasure and therefore arouse greater security concerns as a result. pluristic counter-zombie security community In the wake of disaster communities come together, thus governments will come together to share resources and sovereignty to counter the zombie problem. Foster collective human identity socialize zombies into human culture norm cascade
FEMINIST THEORIES The study of gender in international relations has many different approaches. gender is not about women but also about the way international policies are framed, studied, and implemented focuses on social relations, particularly gender relations how international politics affects and is affected by men and women explores how different core concepts war, security, trade, development, civil warss etc. are themselves gendered. International system is constituted by socially constructed gender hierarchies which contribute to gender subordination (rather than anarchy)
FEMINIST THEORIES Concepts: gender is social not biological different values to different genders, for example: masculinity: autonomous, sovereign, objective, universal, capacity for reason and abstraction; femininity: absence of these qualities. Malestream women s lives and experiences are excluded, i.e. i.e. diplomacy; consequences of military action on social and material survival of communities. Rejection of fixed IR theory: i.e. the separation of domestic and international politics conceived as interdependent.
FEMINISM AND ZOMBIES what is good for women will also be good for the fight against the living dead ? (1) Research says the codification of gender equality and restriction of discrimination lead states to be more secure. threats from the living dead should accelerate emancipation policy decision making becomes more consensual, less hierarchical (2) disasters can further marginalize the disempowered priority is given to the security of the state
ZOMBIE PAPER Pick one theory and expound (using examples from IR readings and pop culture references ) why this theory makes the most sense for how the world would react to the zombie apocalypse. Please discuss why you choose this theory, and explain the problems that it has as a theory compared to the other theories (i.e. what does the theory fail to explain?). You will write a 2 page, double-spaced (about 400 words) paper responding to the question referencing the resources from the class (readings and videos) to be turned in on Canvas using Vericite. You should have an introduction, 1 paragraph explaining the theory, 1 paragraph explaining why this theory is the best theory for providing a generalized explanation of international behavior during a zombie apocalypse, 1 paragraph explaining what shortcomings this theory might have, and a conclusion. due October 26
