The Tenet of Neoliberalism. The Main Difference between Neoliberalism and Neorealism
At the center of neoliberalism are the problems of international security and the renunciation of war. Moreover, global safety seems to be the most crucial goal of actors in foreign relations. An essential condition for achieving universal stability, world order, and social progress is developing world cooperation that promotes economic prosperity. The center of gravity shifts from international law and organizations to international morality (Nye & Welch 2013). According to neoliberals, anarchy in foreign relations is surmountable, whereas neorealists believe it is not. Neoliberals believe that the benefits of international cooperation are absolute; that is, cooperation is always beneficial. According to neorealists, the benefit is relative since no country would accept a less absolute benefit than any other (Dunne, et al., 2013). The reason for international cooperation, for neoliberals, is to maximize economic prosperity; for neorealists, it is to maximize military security.
The difference between relative and absolute gain. Role of these concepts play in neo-realist thinking
In international relations, the influence of states on the balance of power without considering other factors such as culture and economy is a relative benefit. Thus, the cooperation required for the balance of power may be limited by the state’s interests. The relative benefit is associated with a zero-sum game, which argues that wealth cannot be increased. That is, the only available way is to take away resources from another state. Relative benefits contrast from absolute ones because absolute advantages consider into account all circumstances. That is, the state’s strategy consists not only of attempts to maintain a balance of power but also includes all the factors that permit better forecasting of the international situation (Viotti & Kauppi 2019). The neorealist concept in international relations concludes that the international structure creates restrictions for states, so those players who count all factors win. Thus, the theory of absolute and relative advantages is a way of expressing it.
Influence of International Organizations
International organizations play a leadership role in standard-setting, accountability, security, and the rule of law in various fields. In addition, they afford a course of interaction between governments and society and create consistent norms of behavior among different countries (Keohane, 2020). Therefore, I believe that the application of the same measures of behavior can influence the foreign policy of states and prevent anarchy.
References
Dunne, T., Hansen, L., & Wight, C. (2013). The end of International Relations theory?. European Journal of International Relations, 19(3), 405-425.
Keohane, R. O. (2020). International institutions and state power: Essays in international relations theory. Routledge.
Nye, J. S., & Welch, D. A. (2013). Understanding global conflict & cooperation: intro to theory & history. Pearson Education.
Viotti, P. R., & Kauppi, M. V. (2019). International relations theory. Rowman & Littlefield.