GPE Week 1b - Economic nationalism, Liberalism and the Critical perspective

4 flashcards · Other · by Daniel F.

Why are theories important
Structure the discussion, prioritize information and help focus attention on most important facts Can be used to understand events and make predictions about the future May be used to plan activities or mobilize people to act in particular ways Facts do not exist independently of explanatory frameworks (no absolute truths)
Economic Nationalist perspective
Overview Historical origins: 15th century Mercantilism Highlights the importance of the state as a rational and unitary actor in international and domestic affairs equivalent in International Relations (IR) theory is realism Intellectual roots Thycidides 400BC: The strong do what they will, the weak suffer what they must Thomas Hobbes 17th c.: viewed the “state of nature” as “continual fear and danger of violent death, and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” solution: an…
Liberal perspective
Overveiw Historical origins: mid - 18th century Britain Focuses on either the individual or a wide range of actors (state, corporation, interest groups, etc.) Searches for conditions of cooperation by negotiating the differences Intellectual roots Locke: people are good-natured and governed by reason, role of government is limited to protecting property, state of nature is a “state of peace, good will, mutual assistance and preservation Montesquieu: war is a product of society, a law of nations…
Critical Perspective
Overview Historical origins: the 19th century as a critical approach to liberalism variants: Marxism, feminism, environmentalism nature of oppression within and across societies Marxism focuses on the significance of classes and the ongoing conflict between workers and capitalists Actors Classes (central role). Capitalists (bourgeoisie): Thc owners of thc means of production (capital) Workers (proletariat): Sell their labor power to thc capitalists Firms (TNCs) are a means of exploitation Thc s…