Realists/Liberals believe that: Realists are pessimistic about human nature which they consider to be self-seeking and motivated by power which inevitably leads to war whereas liberals are more optimistic as they believe people can act in a selfless fashion. This is significant because, as an example, the numerous conflicts we have seen since 2000, including in Afghanistan, may have been considered inevitable between selfish states reflecting human nature, according to realists, whereas liberals wouldn’t have seen recent conflicts as necessarily inevitable. Realists believe that the global system is largely anarchical, based on state sovereignty, whereas liberals believe in complex interdependence in a rules-based system. This is significant because some realists would argue that anarchy implies a lack of order in the state system which inevitably decreases the likelihood of cooperation in economic governance institutions like the IMF, W.Bank , WTO, G7 and G20 whereas complex interdependence implies a reduced likelihood of conflict and a greater opportunity for the success of economic governance institutions in tackling recent economic challenges such as the 2008 financial crisis or more recent economic challenges. They also provide different perspectives on regionalism and on the growth of the EU and/or Brexit. Realists believe that international organisations will not secure peace whereas liberals are far more supportive of these structures with the United Nations seen as a key development in bringing stability. This is a significant difference because international organisations such as the United Nations may not have stopped certain conflicts since 2000 (Ukraine)and may have been bypassed which supports the realist view but liberals may argue that they have reduced the likelihood and longevity of conflict and the UN did take action to support ISAF in trying to provide security in Afghanistan. Realists believe that states seek to maximise security through military strength and hard power whilst liberals believe in the value of soft power. This is significant because US action in Iraq appeared to be focussed on use of hard power initially with a shift to soft power in later years in an attempt to win hearts and minds and China continued to develop militarily power whilst also attempting to develop soft power relationships with both approaches subject to a great deal of controversy relating to effectiveness. Unlike realists, Liberals view the nature of the government of states as important in deciding the likelihood of cooperation over human rights and other issues such as the environment. There is important because it may or may not explain the challenges that the global community has faced in tackling environmental degradation and human rights abuses in recent years. 2023 Q2 Analyse the different explanations which realism and liberalism provide for recent developments in global politics since 2000. 12 marks Synoptic Element – Candidates may refer to the following when analysing core political ideas: Conservatism core ideas and principles and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy 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.