States, Institutions, and Anarchy

Mgr. Mohamad Ali Youssef Khadra, BA

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The purpose of this research is to study the utility of Realism as it relates to accounting for states’ pursuit of cooperation via increasingly institutionalized arrangements. The question of how and why states pursue these modes of cooperation has been largely dominated by the Liberal school of International Relations, with some Realist engagement. As such, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will be taken as a case study. The OSCE is chosen for its uniqueness as one of the few regional collective security organizations where two superpowers, and their corresponding blocs, during the Cold War (1945-1991) and its aftermath, would come together. Anarchy in international relations need not be overcome by a world government as states are capable of achieving Realist ends through means other than zero-sum pursuits.

Abstract:

The purpose of this research is to study the utility of Realism as it relates to accounting for states’ pursuit of cooperation via increasingly institutionalized arrangements. The question of how and why states pursue these modes of cooperation has been largely dominated by the Liberal school of International Relations, with some Realist engagement. As such, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will be taken as a case study. The OSCE is chosen for its uniqueness as one of the few regional collective security organizations where two superpowers, and their corresponding blocs, during the Cold War (1945-1991) and its aftermath, would come together. Anarchy in international relations need not be overcome by a world government as states are capable of achieving Realist ends through means other than zero-sum pursuits.

Keywords

Realism, Liberal school of International Relations, OSCE, States, Institutions, Anarchy

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 3. 6. 2022

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 7. 6. 2022
• Supervisor: dr. Dalibor Roháč
• Reader: Ing. Mgr. Dominik Stroukal, Ph.D.

CEVRO Institute

Master programme / field:
Philosophy, Politics, Economics / Philosophy, Politics, Economics