| Compare-Theory-Report All fields 003 | Page Format |
| | Number sort to group items | 02.rk |
| | Class-Defined | Main |
| | Theory-name | Neo-Liberal -Realism-Modified Structural Hybrid - Robert O Keohane - |
| | multidimensional approach=Institutional Liberalism |
| | Theory-Purpose | incorporate several analytical frameworks or research programs. Includes balance of |
| | Power where useful to understand. NAIC Keohane, p3 |
| | Note | - should incorporate structural realism = has clarity and parsimony, the range of |
| | phenomena it encompasses is limited. |
| | - needs better theories of domestic politics, decision making and information |
| | processing - so gap between external and internal environments can be bridged in |
| | systematic way. NAIC Keohane, P.191 |
| | - Modified Structural analysis can provide a context within which an analysis of |
| | cognition is politically more meaningful. |
| | - knowing maxims of int'l rela theory, must know enough history to place them in |
| | context - then useful guides for interpreting events.. |
| | - Necessary to remain skeptical of int'l theory and maintain critical analysis. NAIC |
| | Keohane, p 3 |
| | i====================================== |
| | Complex Interdependence Theory |
| | The term 'complex interdependence' was developed by Robert Keohane and Joseph |
| | Nye and refers to the various, complex transnational connections (interdependencies) |
| | between states and societies. Interdependence theorists noted that such relations, |
| | particularly economic ones, were increasing; while the use of military force and |
| | power balancing were decreasing (but remained important). Reflecting on these |
| | developments, they argued that the decline of military force as a policy tool and the |
| | increase in economic and other forms of interdependence should increase the |
| | probability of cooperation among states. The complex interdependence framework |
| | can be seen as an attempt to synthesize elements of realist and liberal thought. Finally, |
| | anticipating problems of cheating and relative gains raised by realists, |
| | interdependence theorists introduced the concept of 'regimes' to mitigate anarchy and |
| | facilitate cooperation. Here, we can see an obvious connection to neo-liberal |
| | institutionalism. See Keohane, R. and J. Nye. 1977. Power and Interdependence: World |
| | Politics in Transition. Little-Brown, Boston. (2nd edition,1989). From |
| | http://www.irtheory.com/know.htm |
| | |
| | Neoliberal Institutionalism |
| | Encompasses those theories which argue that international institutions play an |
| | important role in coordinating international cooperation. Proponents begin with the |
| | same assumptions used by realists, except for the following: where realists assume |
| | that states focus on relative gains and the potential for conflict, neoliberal |
| | institutionalists assume that states concentrate on absolute gains and the prospects |
| | for cooperation. Neoliberal institutionalists believe that the potential for conflict is |
| | overstated by realists and suggest that there are countervailing forces, such as |
| | repeated interactions, that propel states toward cooperation. They regard cheating as |
| | the greatest threat to cooperation and anarchy as the lack of organization to enforce |
| | rules against cheating. Institutions are described by neoliberals as 'persistent and |
| | connected sets of rules (formal or informal) that prescribe behavioral roles, constrain |
| | activity, and shape expectations' (Keohane, R. 'International Institutions: Two |
| | Approaches', in International Studies Quarterly 32, 1988). Robert Keohane is the |
| | scholar most closely identified with neoliberal institutionalism. |
| | Http://www.irtheory.com/know.htm |
| | ================================ |
| | Interdependence always carries with it costs - since interdependence restricts |
| | autonomy. Can not specify if benefits exceed the costs - depends on values of actors |
| | and nature of relationships. Interdependance has two dimensions : sensitivity |
| | [degrees of responsiveness within a policy framework] and vulnerability [actors |
| Wednesday, 07 May, 2003 | 8:24:27 AM | Page 18 of 27 |