The Yegiora Files

By Cornelia Navari Source: Williams, P. D. (Ed.). (2008). Security studies: an introduction . London: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. “The ‘democratic peace’ thesis is the argument that liberal states do not fight wars against other liberal states. It was first enunciated in a keynote article by Michael Doyle in the journal Philosophy and Public Affairs (Doyle 1983). Doyle argued that there was difference in liberal practice towards other liberal societies and liberal practice towards non-liberal societies. Among liberal societies, liberalism had produced a cooperative foundation such that ‘constitutionally liberal states have yet to engage in war with one another’. Doyle based his findings on David Singer’s Correlates of War Project (COW) at Michigan University and the COW’s list of wars since 1816. Using the list, Doyle observed that almost no liberal states had fought wars against other liberal states, and that in the two instances in which it seemed that liberal states had...

By Cornelia Navari Source: Williams, P. D. (Ed.). (2008). Security studies: an introduction . London: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. Immanuel Kant was an enlightenment philosopher (some would say the greatest enlightenment philosopher), often noted for his approach to ethics. (Kant argued that moral behaviour resulted from moral choices and that these were guided by an inner sense of duty – when individuals behave according to duty, they were being moral.) But he was not only an ethicist; he philosophized the ‘good state’ as well as its international relations. According to Kant, the only justifiable form of government was republican government, a condition of constitutional rule where even monarchs ruled according to the law. Moreover, the test of good laws was their ‘universalizability’ – the test of universal applicability. The only laws that deserved the name of ‘law’ were those one could wish everyone (including oneself) obeyed. Such laws become ‘categorical imperative...

Central theme Concentrates on the role of international institutions in mitigating conflict (Navari, 2008). Dynamics As expressed by Navari (2008), Robert Keohane and Robert Axelrod point to the ability of institutions such as the UN to redefine state roles and act as arbitrators in state disputes. Although institutions cannot transform anarchy, they can change the character of the international environment by influencing state preferences and state behaviour. International institutions influence state preference and behaviour by using a variety of methods that either create strong incentives or disincentives for cooperation like; 1)       Favourable trade status – Most Favourable Nation (MFN) is a tag given to states where preferential treatment is given when trading with each other to foster cooperation among states.   Investopedia “A level of status given to one country by another and enforced by the World Trade Organization . A country grants t...

By Colin Elman and Michael A. Jensen Source: Williams, P. D. (Ed.). (2008). Security studies: an introduction . London: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. Central theme Suggest that what states do depends in large part on influences located at the domestic level of analysis. Dynamics Employs a ‘transmission belt’ approach to foreign policy, which illustrates how systemic pressures are filtered through variables at the unit-level to produce specific foreign policy decisions. Agree that distribution of capabilities is a good starting point for the analysis of foreign policy decision-making. Pressures from the international system are often unclear and indeterminate. International arena is murky and difficult to read, threats and opportunities are not easily identifiable and the range of possibilities open to statesmen for meeting strategic goals is practically infinite. These challenges are mitigated by variables at the unit-level which often intervene between the international ...

By Colin Elman and Michael A. Jensen Source: Williams, P. D. (Ed.). (2008). Security studies: an introduction . London: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. What is rise and fall realism? Rise and fall realism remerge as a powerful alternative to the balance of power theories that predominated international relations scholarship during the 1950’s. Central theme Hegemony is the foundation for peace while balance is often associated with war (Organski). Dynamics Rise and fall realism emphasizes that war between major powers is least likely when the international system is dominated by a single state and when there are no rising challengers vying for system leadership. Given its privileged position, a dominant state is capable of shaping the rules and practices of the international system in such a way as to satisfy its selfish interest. Stability is a product of this hegemonic order, as states which are dissatisfied with the status quo lack the capabilities to change it....

Central theme Elman and Jensen (Realisms, 2013) “Suggest that states seek security in an anarchic international system because main threat to their well-being comes from other states. States apply a degree of rational restraint to avoid war because of geography, technology and balancing.” Wikipedia (Wikipedia, 2015) “Defensive realists argue that the anarchical structure of the international system encourages states to maintain defensive and moderate policies. They argue that states are not intrinsically aggressive and the first concern of states is not to maximize power but to maintain their position in the system.” Liu and Zhang (Liu & Zhang, 2006) “Primary goals that states seek to achieve are survival and security. Power is a tool for achieving a goal and not a goal in itself.” Dynamics Taliaferro (Taliaferro, 2000) “International system provides incentives for expansion only under certain conditions. Under anarchy, many of the means a state uses to increase its sec...

Central theme Elman and Jensen (Realisms, 2013) “States face an uncertain international environment in which any state might use its power to harm another. Under such circumstances, relative capabilities are of overriding importance, and security requires acquiring as much power compared to other states as possible.” Wikipedia (Wikipedia, 2015) “Posits an anarchic international system in which rational great powers uncertain of other states’ intentions and capable of military offensive strive to survive. States need to accumulate power in order to ensure its security.” Liu and Zhang (Liu & Zhang, 2006) “Primary goal that states seek to achieve is power. States seek power as both a means and an end.” Dynamics Taliaferro (Taliaferro, 2000) “Offensive realism holds that anarchy—the absence of a worldwide government or universal sovereign—provides strong incentives for expansion. All states strive to maximize their power relative to other states because only the most power...