Chapter 7 of 'The Globalization of World Politics' explores contemporary mainstream approaches in international relations, focusing on neo-realism and neo-liberalism. Neo-realism, based on Kenneth Waltz's structural realism, emphasizes security and state behavior shaped by an anarchic international system, while neo-liberalism advocates for cooperation through institutions and recognizes the significance of absolute gains. The neo-neo debate highlights that both theories share underlying assumptions but address different aspects of global issues, particularly in the context of globalization.

1. Baylis, Smith & Owens:
The Globalization of World Politics 5e
Chapter 7
Contemporary mainstream
approaches:
neo-realism and neo-liberalism

2. Introduction
• Dominant debate in IR for last 20 years
• More than just theories: conceptual
frameworks
– Form people’s views of world
– Shape research priorities
– Influence policy debates
• Integrate rational choice and game
theory to be more rigorous

3. Introduction
• Both status-quo-oriented, problem-
solving theories
• Share many assumptions about actors,
values, issues and power arrangements
• Study different worlds (mostly)
– Neo-realists: issues of security, power,
survival
– Neo-liberals: political economy, institutions,
co-operation

4. Neo-realism
• Kenneth Waltz’s structural realism
– Structure of the international system is the
key factor shaping state behaviour
– Minimize importance of national attributes:
all states are functionally similar units
constrained by anarchy
– Accept traditional assumptions
• Force is important and effective
• Balance of power is central mechanism for
order

5. Neo-realism
• Two versions:
– Offensive neo-realists: states seek power
• Expansionism should be feared
• Relative power is all-important
– Defensive realists: often confused with
neo-liberal institutionalists
• Recognize the costs of war
• Assume that it usually results from irrational
forces in a society
• Co-operation is possible but with friendly states

6. Neo-liberalism
• Academically: refers most often to neo-
liberal institutionalism
• Policy-wise: identified with capitalism and
Western democratic values and institutions
• Shaped by commercial, republican,
sociological, & institutional liberalism
– Free trade and democracy promotion
• Other roots:
– Functional integration theory from 1950-60s
– Complex interdependence literature of 1970-80s

7. Neo-liberalism
• Neo-liberal institutionalists
– Institutions can achieve co-operation;
multilateralism can promote national
interest
– Regimes and institutions help govern a
competitive and anarchic international
system
– States cooperate to achieve absolute gains
– Greatest obstacle to cooperation is
cheating, not lack of mutual interest

8. Neo-neo debate
• Intra-paradigm debate: not polar
opposites
– Share epistemology, some assumptions,
some questions
– Neither can address certain challenges

9. Neo-neo debate
• Study different worlds
– Neo-realists: “high politics” - security and
military
– Neo-liberal institutionalists: “low politics” -
political economy, environmental issues,
and human rights
• Absolute vs. relative gains
– Neo-realists more cautious about
cooperation; neo-realists believe states
can be persuaded not to cheat to make
absolute gains

10. Neo-neo debate
• Globalization challenges state power
– Neo-realists: states are still principal actors
• Concern is new security issues from uneven
globalization
– Neo-liberals: most believe globalization is
positive force
• All states benefit from economic growth
• Some believe states should promote
institutions to manage consequences of
globalization to create positive consequences

11. Case Study
‘The underbelly of globalization’: toxic waste
dumping in the global South