Marxist Theory Of International Relations

Marxist Theory Of International Relations

Introduction • The Great Experiment had failed…. • • • •

Bolshevik Revolution = Creation of USSR Cold War = End of USSR Marxist Theory = Dustbin of History World = Liberal Democracy and Capitalist

• But… Marxist Thought refuses to go away – Two reasons for renaissance • Failure of USSR embarrassment to Marxist – USSR = Didn’t truly follow Marx – Marxist now can promote communism without having to defend USSR Behavior

• Marxist Theory becoming more relevant in the world of Globalization – All events take place in and are a consequence of the Global Capital System – Many of Marx predictions of GCS are coming true

Elements of Marxism • Karl Marx – Communist Manifesto – Outlined and provided critical critique of Capitalism – Prophesized rise of working class socialist societies – Never discussed international relations

– Schools of Thought emerged inspired by Marx • Four Major Strands have Developed that share Key Marxist Ideology – Social World (Sciences) Should be viewed as a Totality » Non can be understood without the knowledge of others – Materialist Conception of History » Historical change reflection of the economic development of society » Means of Production conflict with Relations of Production and forms Economic Base which will determine the Superstructure of Society

Continue – Means of Production » The elements that combine in the production process (Labor, tools, technology, etc…) – Relations of Production » Link and organize the Means of Production » Technical and institutional relationships that allow production process » Structure that govern process and control end products – Economic Base » Economic system of a society = power and control » When one changes (MoP or RoP) then EB will be forced to change – Superstructure » Political, legal, cultural, etc… norms and institutions grow out of and reflect and reinforce the power and control of the economy

Continue – Class Structure » Society is prone to class conflict • Bourgeoisie = The Capitalist • Proletariat = The Workers » Emancipation • Marx thought philosophers should be actors in creating change • Overthrow the existing/prevailing order and replace it with a communist society • Replace wage labor and private property with a new social order • The definition and terminology of emancipation is debated among contemporary Marxist

Four Marxist Theories • World-System Theory – Developed in response to… • Imperialism – Monopoly Capitalism = capital becoming consolidated in the hands of wealthy nations » Core » Periphery – Harmony of Interests = pacifying the working class in the core with economic gain from the Periphery

• Declining Terms of Trade – Price of Manufactured goods increased more rapidly than that of raw materials – Periphery become poorer relative to the core » Takes more coffee grown to buy a refrigerator

Continue – Key Features of World-System Theory • Prominent Protagonist = Immanuel Wallerstein – History = rise and fall of a series of WS » Current System Formed in 16th Century • Birth of Age of Discovery (Globalization) • Catalyst = Capitalism – Interrelationships in the World Economy » Core • Democratic, welfare state, and high standard of living • Imports = raw materials, Exports = manufactures » Semi-Periphery • Provides home for this industries that con no longer function in profitably in the Core • Stabilizing factor of WST • Authoritarian, low welfare services and standard of living • Imports and exports both » Periphery • Non-Democratic Gov and no welfare services • Imports = manufactures, Exports = raw materials

Continue • Three zones are linked in exploitive relationship – Wealth is drained form the Periphery to the core – Temporal Dimensions of world-economy » Cyclical Rhythms • Capitalism goes through series of expansions (booms) and contractions (busts) over time » Secular Trends • Long-term growth of world economy in association with cyclical rhythms • Each cycle starts/stops at different places » Contradictions • Makes one set of behavior optimal for the long run, while another set of behaviors are optimal for the short run… • Often not possible to follow both » Crisis • Cyclical Rhythms, Secular Trends, and contradictions counter act and bring end to world system and replaced by a new world system

Continue • Gramscianism – Named after Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci • Important contributions to the study of International Political Economy • Founded Italian Communist party and jailed in 1926 for beliefs, spent rest of life in jail • Wrote Prison Notebooks – Key Questions » Why had it proven to be so difficult to promote revolution in Western Europe? • Marx predicted revolution would take place in most industrialized societies, but reality revolution took place in underdeveloped societies • Capitalist Society -> Revolution -> Socialist Society

Continue • Answer = Hegemony – Coercion and consent » Coercion = fear of… keeps the exploited and alienated majority in society from rising up and over throwing the system that is the cause of their suffering • Laws, norms, regulations, etc… » Consent = allows the moral, political, and cultural values of the dominant group to become dispersed to the subordinate groups and classes • Media, education, religion, etc… – Society can only be changed through Counter-Hegemonic struggle

– Robert Cox • Modern proponent of Gramscianism • Knowledge cannot be objective and timeless

Continue – Ideas and Values are reflection of social relations and are transformed by those social relations means all knowledge must reflect a certain, context, time, and space – All Theorist inevitable bring their values to bear on their analysis » No separation of facts and values » Theories are for and serve the interest of those who prosper under the prevailing order • Consent and coercion and Harmony of Interest • Reinforcing the ruling hegemony

• Hegemony is important for maintaining stability and continuity – Dominant powers have to shape a world order that suits their interest » Free Trade – promoted by hegemony and accepted by masses, though it does not benefit the masses

Continue • Critical Theory – Challenges the prevailing order by seeking out, analyzing, and where possible, assisting social processes that can potentially lead to emancipatory change • Born from Frankfurt School • Left-Wing German Jews • Nazism forced into exile, worked in the US

– Focuses almost entirely on Superstructural aspects of society – Cultural, bureaucracy, politics, family structure, etc…

– Argue working class has been absorbed by the system and no longer is a treat to it – Results from rise of Mass Media and mass culture

Continue – Explores the meaning of Emancipation • Barbaric and Immoral behavior conducted in the name of Emancipation – Stalinism and Imperialism

• Domination of nature and humanity to common – Seeks reconciliation with nature and humanity

• Radical Democracy – Widest possible participation in democracy by eliminating barriers (social, economic, or cultural) – Should extend beyond state » Andrew Linklater – main contemporary Critical Theory • Borders of the sovereign sates have lost their ethical and moral significance • European Union

Continue • New Marxism • Return to the fundamental tenets of Marxist thought • Critical of stands that distort or neglect original intent • Focuses on International Relations where Marx was vague

– Justin Rosenberg – main contemporary • International System changes with each new period of time and Relations of Production • Relations of Production impact state society • State society interacts globally • Relations of Production impact global society • Change in Relation of Production in state will impact international society

Continue • Benno Teschke – Other Main Contemporary – Social Property Relations • Examines the way in which class relations, forms of exploitation, and control of the means of production have changed in different historical epochs

– Two major transformations in IR • Feudal System -> Early Modern (Monarchies) • Early Modern -> Modern (Capitalist States)

Globalization and Marxism • Marxism v. Globalization – Marxist don’t deny the relevance and importance of Globalization – Do deny that it is new or novel • Just latest phase of Capitalist expansion and exploitation of non-capitalist or semi-capitalist nations • The Globe is dominate by capitalism, all people and institutions are by capitalism through globalization, as integration and interdependence increase the trend will continue to grow • Boarders may become obsolete, but capitalism is still king