Notes for Application of theory to political issues - IB | RevisionDojo
Application of theory to political issues Notes
Application of Theory to Political Issues
Political theory is a framework that helps us analyze, interpret, and understand political phenomena.
It provides lenses through which we can view complex issues, offering explanations and predictions about how the world works.
Note
Political theories are not one-size fits all solutions.
They offer different perspectives, each with its own strengths and limitations.
Key Political Theories in Global Politics
Realism
Focus: Power, security, and state interests
Core Assumptions:
The international system is anarchic (lacking a central authority).
States are the primary actors, driven by self-interest and the pursuit of power.
Conflict is inevitable due to competition for resources and security.
Case study
China’s Actions in the South China Sea
What happened:
China has built artificial islands, deployed military infrastructure, and asserted territorial claims over most of the South China Sea, despite overlapping claims from countries like Vietnam and the Philippines.
Structural realist analysis:
In an anarchic international system, China cannot rely on other states or international institutions to guarantee its security.
By militarizing the South China Sea, China is asserting control over vital trade routes and creating a buffer zone against potential U.S. or regional threats.
This pursuit of regional hegemony is a rational strategy to increase its security and influence, especially as the U.S. maintains a strong military presence in Asia.
Outcome:
China’s assertiveness leads to balancing behaviour from other states (e.g. U.S. freedom of navigation operations, AUKUS, Quad alliance), illustrating the security dilemma.
China's Nine-Dash Line
Liberalism
Focus: Cooperation, institutions, and interdependence
Core Assumptions:
States and non-state actors (e.g., international organizations) are important.
Cooperation is possible through institutions and norms.
Economic interdependence reduces the likelihood of conflict.
Case study
The EU as a Liberal Institution
Cooperation: Built to prevent war through economic and political integration.
Interdependence: Shared markets and currency reduce conflict.
Democracy & Rights: Promotes liberal values through membership rules and legal accountability.
Institutions: Uses law and negotiation to manage disputes, not force.
Soft Power: Spreads influence via trade, diplomacy, and aid, not military might.
EU
Constructivism
Focus: Ideas, identities, and social constructs
Core Assumptions:
The international system is shaped by socially constructed norms and identities.
State behavior is influenced by ideas and beliefs, not just material factors.
Change is possible through the evolution of norms and identities.
Case study
Syria and the Chemical Weapons Norm (2013)
In 2013, the Assad regime in Syria used chemical weapons (sarin gas) in Ghouta, killing over 1,000 civilians.
The attack sparked international outrage and threats of military intervention by the U.S. and its allies.
Constructivist Analysis:
The strong global reaction wasn’t just about the number of deaths (conventional weapons had already killed many more).
It was due to the violation of a deeply embedded international norm: the taboo against chemical weapons.
The pressure led Syria to join the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and dismantle much of its stockpile, showing that norms and identities can constrain state behaviour.
Syria's Chemical Weapons
Marxism
Focus: Economic structures, class struggle, and inequality
Core Assumptions:
The international system is driven by economic interests and capitalist exploitation.
Global inequality is perpetuated by the dominance of wealthy states and corporations.
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Question 1
Recap question
A revolutionary movement frames its struggle in terms of a global class identity and calls for overthrowing capitalist structures to achieve equity. Which theoretical analysis best accounts for this movement’s focus on economic exploitation and calls for revolutionary change?
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Note
Introduction to Political Theory
Political theory is a framework that helps us analyze, interpret, and understand political phenomena.
It provides lenses through which we can view complex issues, offering explanations and predictions about how the world works.
NotePolitical theories are not one-size-fits-all solutions. They offer different perspectives, each with its own strengths and limitations.DefinitionPolitical TheoryA set of ideas and principles that explain how political systems work and how power is distributed.Analogy
Think of political theories like different types of glasses - each one helps you see the world in a unique way, highlighting certain details while potentially overlooking others.
