Realist And Neoliberal Views On International Regimes

In “The False Promise of International Institutions” John Mersheimer states the “… institutionalist theories is largely a response to realism, and each directly challenges realism’s underlying logic…” This implies that institutionalism is a reply to realism. Realists dispute the claim that institutions promote stability. Instead, they argue that states are self-interested actors who are constantly trying to become stronger and take advantage of other states. States are constantly improving their s

According to the institutionalists cheating is a major concern of states in international relations. Organizations erase that fear by making information widely available. Organizations also promote cooperation between states by lowering transaction costs. Neoliberal institutionalists also believe that common interests of states promote cooperation and make institutions necessary. A neoliberal institutionalist for example would argue that the MedPlan encouraged cooperation by creating a regime, which concerned an important issue for the Mediterranean region. The ties created by the MedPlan encourage further cooperation and promoted stability of the Mediterranean region. Institutions, according to a neoliberal institutionalist create economic bonds between states. These bonds reinforce state relations, and reduce chances of conflict. In his article Mersheimer tends to overlook the formation of these bonds, focusing rather on the possibility of explosive conflict. In general realism seems to be less interested in economic relations between states than on the possibility of a country suddenly attacking another country. In today’s interdependent world where many of the countries economies are connected to other countries the possibility of a spontaneous war seems highly unlikely. However, if one were to erupt institutions would for the most part be unable to stop it.

Realists also argue that institutions are powerless in issues of distribution and distribution conflicts. Institutionalists however argue the opposite. They claim that r

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