Dimopoulos Dimosthenis Realism and Complex Interdependence Summary
In Keohane and Nye, “Realism and Complex Interdependence”, Chapter 1-3, two major questions are attempted to be answered: what are the major features of world politics when interdependence, particularly economic interdependence, is extensive; and how and why do international regimes change.
In these chapters, Nye and Keohane, as they attempt to explain power and interdependence, articulates two main forms of interdependence: sensitivity and vulnerability. They opt to contrast their theory of world politics, which is called Complex Interdependence with Realism.
Realism has three main characteristics: a) states are the key actors in world politics; b) force is a useable and competent tool for states and c) world politics issues are organized hierarchal with military security as their pinnacle. On the other hand, Complex Interdependence is based on the following: a) the key actors in world politics are states; transnational actors and organizations, which communicate via informal and formal channels, b) there is no clear hierarchy in world politic issues and c) force is not used when complex interdependence prevails on a set of issues.
Keohane’s and Nye’s theory gives rise to political processes which translate power into outcomes, such as: a) Because there is no clear hierarchy of issues, state goals will vary by issue, as will the distribution of power and the political process associated with the issue; b) the politics of agenda formation and control will become more important because there is no clear hierarchy (domestic and other groups may be able to politicize issues that would not otherwise make the international agenda); c) the line between domestic and international politics becomes blurred because there are multiple channels of interaction and d) the increasingly significant role for international organizations. Subsequently, they provide four possible models under which international regimes change and they seek to combine them in their efforts to
In these chapters, Nye and Keohane, as they attempt to explain power and interdependence, articulates two main forms of interdependence: sensitivity and vulnerability. They opt to contrast their theory of world politics, which is called Complex Interdependence with Realism.
Realism has three main characteristics: a) states are the key actors in world politics; b) force is a useable and competent tool for states and c) world politics issues are organized hierarchal with military security as their pinnacle. On the other hand, Complex Interdependence is based on the following: a) the key actors in world politics are states; transnational actors and organizations, which communicate via informal and formal channels, b) there is no clear hierarchy in world politic issues and c) force is not used when complex interdependence prevails on a set of issues.
Keohane’s and Nye’s theory gives rise to political processes which translate power into outcomes, such as: a) Because there is no clear hierarchy of issues, state goals will vary by issue, as will the distribution of power and the political process associated with the issue; b) the politics of agenda formation and control will become more important because there is no clear hierarchy (domestic and other groups may be able to politicize issues that would not otherwise make the international agenda); c) the line between domestic and international politics becomes blurred because there are multiple channels of interaction and d) the increasingly significant role for international organizations. Subsequently, they provide four possible models under which international regimes change and they seek to combine them in their efforts to