The Problem of Cooperation

Chapter 4 discusses the structure of the international system as seen by liberal theory, realist theory, and radical theory. This chapter builds on the description of each theoretical lens in chapter 3, so make sure you are familiar with that chapter. This exercise considers a central dilemma of world politics—the problem of cooperation—as it relates to the nature of the international system as seen through each theoretical lens.

I. Finding the Evidence. As an international affairs expert, you have been invited to a workshop for newly elected U.S. legislators. The workshop organizers expect you to help the legislators understand why it is so difficult to get states and other actors to work together toward common goals. You understand how the nature of the international system leads to multiple difficulties in building cooperative efforts in world politics. You also believe that international relations theories can help shed light on the problem of cooperation.

You decide to help the legislators by connecting current events to these explanations, and you prepare your presentation as follows.

1. The Problem of Cooperation in Current Issues. Use the Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com), the New York Times (www.nytimes.com), the Christian Science Monitor (www.christiansciencemonitor.com), or another national or international newspaper with good international coverage. From these sources, select at least five stories about international events that reveal a conflict between states and/or other important international actors. Organize your information into the following framework.

EVENT	ACTORS	ISSUE(S)	TYPE OF CONFLICT	CAUSE(S) OF CONFLICT

2. Explaining the Conflicts. Using these events, analyze how different theoretical lenses might explain the lack of cooperation in each case, especially noting how each theory would provide explanations for the conflict.

a. According to realists, conflicts such as these are best explained as a consequence of . . .

b. According to liberals, conflicts such as these are best explained as a consequence of . . .

c. According to radicals, conflicts such as these are best explained as a consequence of . . .

III. Conclusions. Based on the current events you have chosen, and the explanations you have offered from each theoretical perspective, summarize your evidence and analysis for the legislators and present to them what you believe are the three to five most significant explanations for why cooperation is so hard in world politics.