AO1Realists are pessimistic about human nature whereas liberals are more optimistic AO2 This is significant because war is considered inevitable between selfish states reflecting human nature according to realists but liberals are more optimistic about peace based on a positive view of human nature Liberals believe that cooperative human nature has allowed for the growth of international cooperative institutions whereas realists believe that human nature is reflected in absolute state dominance in global politics The importance of this difference is that state dominance would increase the likelihood of war and conflict in global politics whereas international institutions are considered to increase the likelihood of peace, harmony and cooperation Realists believe that the nature of government reflects the nature of human beings who are greedy, grasping and self-interested whereas liberals are more optimistic about the likelihood of cooperation between rational governments based on rational decision makers This has consequences for the likelihood of cooperation in many areas of concern such as tackling climate change, poverty, nuclear proliferation and human rights protection Liberals believe in complex interdependence as an alternative to pure power politics whereas realists believe in zero sum theory that states are power maximisers, set to take advantage of other states where possible Consequently realists believe that cooperation for power and influence is inevitable between states whereas liberals are more likely to believe that links between states are likely to grow and reduce tensions for the benefit of all Realists believe that survival is based on maximising hard power whereas liberals believe in the value of soft power. This is important because a realist focus on hard power is likely to lead to arms race with associated expenditure and escalation whereas liberals would see a lessening in the significance of military strength as time passes and an increase in consensus and persuasion. Synoptic - from Paper 1 Core Ideologies section AO1Conservatism core ideas and principles and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy AO2 Hobbes-and the consequences of this for the state system and for likelihood of cooperation, his negative view of human nature and the dangers to civil society and likelihood of conflict Socialism core ideas and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy. Greater optimism on human nature linked to the natural relationship among humans being cooperation and work for the common good – Marx - which makes the idea of a global society order and cooperation likely. Liberalism core ideas and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy. Emphasis on the benefits of mutual cooperation and order and avoidance of war from both an economic and practical position – Locke.