The Concept of "Realism" as a Source of ConfusionGoldmann, Kjell
doi: 10.1177/001083678802300101pmid: N/A
The discussion of international politics remains preoccupied with a construct called "realist theory". In this article it is first shown that there is confusion in the literature about the substantive contents of "realist theory" and that the thoughts ascribed to this theory tend to be ambiguous, inconsistent, or trivial. It is then argued that three fundamental concerns of international politics theory, which are commonly considered in terms of realism versus idealism, are easier to comprehend if we rid ourselves of this burden and discuss them in their own terms. The three theoretical issues are (1) the explanatory power of anarchy, (2) the immutability of international politics, and (3) the amorality of international politics.
Decay and Revival of Détente. Dynamics of Center and Periphery in Superpower RivalryØsterud, Øyvind
doi: 10.1177/001083678802300102pmid: N/A
The article is an analysis of the relationships between regional questions and the strategic stance of the superpowers during the ebb and flow of détente. The exposition of the dynamics between "periphery" and "center" in East-West rivalry is mainly concentrated on the 1970s, with some lines on trajectories up to that decade, and a comment on later developments. The American and Soviet strategies towards the "grey zones" of influence are spelled out, and the interpretation of regional conflicts in the Third World as the blind spot of détente is substantiated at the level of intentional policies. The argument shows how détente was structurally flawed, and calls for a careful examination of causal strands in the fluctuations of superpower accommodation.
Image Research and Image Politics in International Relations — Transformation of Power Politics in the Television AgeRusi, Alpo
doi: 10.1177/001083678802300103pmid: N/A
This article comprises two parts. In the first one, a traditional psychological approach to the study of international relations is discussed. One way of looking at international politics is to focus attention on individuals, primarily the decision-makers. Concepts such as "Belief systems", "Images", "Perceptions" and "Deceptions" thus constitute the clues to the theoretical framework of this approach. In the second part, the increasing influence of mass communication in international relations and in image- making is dealt with. The physics of power is declining and consequently the psychology of power is rising. Power politics is under a process of transformation. A small and neutral country like Finland is especially sensitive to image policy problems, because image policy is more crucial for a state whose international position is not a historically institutionalized part of the system. It is time to take a more conscious attitude to the innately interdisciplinary nature of the study of international relations.
Foreign Policy Coordination Among Small European StatesDe Vries, Michiel S.
doi: 10.1177/001083678802300104pmid: N/A
In this research note an empirical analysis is presented into factors explaining the progress and deterioration of foreign policy coordination among small European states. Nearly 40 percent of the variance in shifts of foreign policy coordination processes could be explained by the theory of structural stability. This is important because only the foreign policies of small states are investigated, and the differences between them do not result in conflicts but at most in indifference. This points at the strength of the theory of structural stability for explaining developments in post-war Europe.
Models of Neutrality: The Traditional and ModernJoenniemi, Pertti
doi: 10.1177/001083678802300105pmid: N/A
In contemporary international relationsneutrality is not disappearing, nor is it fullyits old self. It is loaded with both problems andpromises. This duality calls for a discussion onthe space available for neutrality on twodifferent levels: the policies of the main actorsand the structural developments of internationalrelations and the level of understanding. Itappears, in broad terms, that the latter is aconstraint on the former. Neutrality appears to berich and promising in terms of its history andexisting reality, but an underdeveloped,fragmented and too dependent concept of dominantinternational relations theory. It is thereforethe constitutive aspects of neutrality and thespace delineated to it in the ordinary discoursethat deserve the prime attention in the on-goingdebate.
The Defense Council of the USSRKarlsson, Hakan
doi: 10.1177/001083678802300106pmid: N/A
The article contributes to the study of theSoviet decision-making structure in nationalsecurity affairs, focusing on one important butshadowy institution at the highest level of thepolitical system: the Defense Council of the USSR.An attempt is made to determine the status andresponsibilities of the council, as well as itslikely membership and operating procedures,through various analytical approaches. First, theevidence available from the official Sovietliterature on the Defense Council itself ismarshaled. Additional insight is gained from thematerial on historical antecedents, from information about analogous institutions in EastEuropean countries, and from statements by Sovietofficials. In analyzing the data, particularattention is paid to the question of the positionand influence of the Soviet military. The analysissupports the prop osition that currentinstitutional arrangements in the Soviet Uniongive the professional military privileged accessto the national security decision-makingprocess.
The Nordic Countries in International High-Technology Markets: PharmaceuticalsMøller, Kim
doi: 10.1177/001083678802300107pmid: N/A
The aim of this article is to investigate the possible competitive advantages commonto enterprises in more than one of the Nordic countries, and at least to some extentto explain them from specific societal or economic aspects common to the Nordicwelfare states. Pharmaceutical production and export is chosen as the case study, asthis is one example of an international competitive success common to most of theNordic countries. To some extent the source of competitive advantage is thesophisticated demand for pharmaceuticals, represented by the advanced Nordic healthcare systems. The so-called Scandinavian welfare model may in this context beconsidered the source of competitive advantage generally, and the Nordic market as anadvanced home market for the development of what are called welfare technologies andproducts.