IR Theories and Cooperation

Cooperation is difficult.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

States can cooperate with each other.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

States care about relative gains rather than absolute gains.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

Cooperation is most likely between states with convergent identities.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

States can be socialized to norms of cooperation.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

Sharing similar democratic institutions can foster cooperation among states.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

Economic interdependence can foster cooperation.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

States have incentive to cheat and renege from commitments with other states.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

International institutions facilitate negotiations that can lead to cooperation.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism

International law is not effective to bind states to cooperate since there is no enforcement.

• Realism

• Liberalism

• Constructivism