Structuralism in IR

Understanding Structulalism in IR

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What is Structuralism?

• Structuralism is a theory in international relations that focuses on the global economic structures and how they shape the relationships between states, particularly the disparity between the wealthy "core" and the less developed "periphery."
• It argues that the international system is inherently unequal and that this inequality perpetuates conflict and underdevelopment.
• The core exploits the periphery for resources and labor, maintaining its dominance.

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Glocalization

What's the difference between global south and global north?

Entendiendo el estructuralismo en las RI

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¿Qué es el estructuralismo en las RI?

• El estructuralismo es una teoría de las relaciones internacionales que se centra en las estructuras económicas globales y cómo dan forma a las relaciones entre los estados, en particular la disparidad entre el "núcleo" rico y la "periferia" menos desarrollada.
• Sostiene que el sistema internacional es inherentemente desigual y que esta desigualdad perpetúa el conflicto y el subdesarrollo.
• El centro explota la periferia en busca de recursos y mano de obra, manteniendo su dominio.

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Glocalización

La diferencia entre el norte y el sur global... ¿sabes de dónde proviene?

There are four main common ideas underlying Structuralism as a general movement: firstly, every system has a structure; secondly, the structure is what determines the position of each element of a whole; thirdly, "structural laws" deal with coexistence rather than changes; and fourthly, structures are the "real things" that lie beneath the surface or the appearance of meaning.

Philosophy Basics

"Structuralism argues that a liberal capitalist world economy tends to preserve or actually increase inequalities between developed and less developed economies." ~ Robert Gilpin

Efecto WOW

Key Principles of Structuralism

• Economic determinism: Economic factors are the primary drivers of international relations.
• Core-periphery model: The world is divided into a wealthy core and a poor periphery.
• Dependency theory: The periphery is dependent on the core for trade, investment, and technology.
• Unequal exchange: The core benefits from trade with the periphery at the expense of the periphery.
• World-systems theory: The global capitalist system is inherently exploitative and perpetuates inequality.

Principios Clave del Estructuralismo

• Determinismo económico: Los factores económicos son los principales impulsores de las relaciones internacionales.
• Modelo centro-periferia: El mundo está dividido en un núcleo rico y una periferia pobre.
• Teoría de la dependencia: La periferia depende del núcleo para el comercio, la inversión y la tecnología.
• Intercambio desigual: El núcleo se beneficia del comercio con la periferia a expensas de esta última.
• Teoría de los sistemas mundiales: El sistema capitalista global es inherentemente explotador y perpetúa la desigualdad.

'How, when or where can we observe this theories in action or practice?

¿Cómo, dónde o cuándo podemos ver estas teorías estructuralistas en acción o en la práctica?

Observation scenarios (Examples)

Economic determinism

Core-periphery model

Dependency theory

Unequal exchange

World-systems theory

Escenarios de observación (Ejemplos)

Determinismo económico

Modelo centro-periferia

Teoría de la dependencia

Intercambio desigual

Teoría del Sistema-mundo

Prominent Structuralist Theorists

Immanuel Wallerstein

Developed the world-systems theory, emphasizing the historical and structural nature of global inequality.

Raul Prebisch

Argued that the terms of trade between the core and periphery are inherently unequal, leading to the underdevelopment of the periphery.

Andre Gunder Frank

Contributed to dependency theory, highlighting the exploitative relationship between the core and periphery.

Teóricos Estructuralistas Destacados

Immanuel Wallerstein

Desarrolló la teoría de los sistemas-mundo, enfatizando la naturaleza histórica y estructural de la desigualdad global.

Raul Prebisch

Sostuvo que los términos de intercambio entre el centro y la periferia son inherentemente desiguales, lo que conduce al subdesarrollo de la periferia.

Andre Gunder Frank

Contribuyó a la teoría de la dependencia, destacando la relación de explotación entre el centro y la periferia.

Synthesis

• Structuralism offers a critical perspective on international relations, highlighting the inherent inequalities in the global economic system.
• It challenges the notion that all states have equal opportunities for development and prosperity.
• By understanding the principles of structuralism, we can better understand the challenges faced by many countries in the Global South and work towards a more just and equitable world order.

Síntesis

• El estructuralismo ofrece una perspectiva crítica de las relaciones internacionales, destacando las desigualdades inherentes al sistema económico global.
• Desafía la noción de que todos los estados tienen iguales oportunidades de desarrollo y prosperidad.
• Al comprender los principios del estructuralismo, podemos comprender mejor los desafíos que enfrentan muchos países del Sur Global y trabajar por un orden mundial más justo y equitativo.

References

• Economic determinism: Economic factors are the primary drivers of international relations.
• Core-periphery model: The world is divided into a wealthy core and a poor periphery.
• Dependency theory: The periphery is dependent on the core for trade, investment, and technology.
• Unequal exchange: The core benefits from trade with the periphery at the expense of the periphery.
• World-systems theory: The global capitalist system is inherently exploitative and perpetuates inequality.

The historical relationship between European colonial powers and their colonies in Africa and Asia exemplifies the core-periphery model. The colonies were exploited for their resources and labor, contributing to the wealth and development of the colonizers while remaining underdeveloped themselves.

Debt crisis in 80s

The debt crisis of the 1980s, in which many developing countries struggled to repay their loans to Western banks, is often cited as evidence of dependency theory. These countries were trapped in a cycle of debt and dependence, limiting their ability to pursue independent development strategies.

• Adapting a global product or service to meet the needs of a local market
• Incorporating local culture, customs, and traditions into a product or service
• The process of adopting elements of global culture to local cultures

Glocalization

Refers to the idea that local conditions should be considered when globalizing something. It can mean:

Economic determinism

This principle posits that economic factors, such as the mode of production and distribution of wealth, are the primary drivers of international relations. It suggests that political and social structures are ultimately shaped by the underlying economic system.

Core-periphery model:

This model divides the world into two main categories: the wealthy, industrialized "core" countries and the less developed "periphery" countries. The core countries dominate the global economy and exploit the periphery for resources and cheap labor, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and underdevelopment.

Reference: Gereffi, G. (1990). Paths of industrialization in Latin America and East Asia

Industrialization strategies in the 1960s and 1970s of many developing countries

The decision of many developing countries to adopt export-oriented industrialization strategies in the 1960s and 1970s can be seen as an example of economic determinism. These countries prioritized economic growth over other considerations, hoping to catch up with the developed world.

• What do you know about "Milagro mexicano"?

El estructuralismo (o macroteorías) es la escuela de pensamiento que sostiene que el comportamiento humano debe entenderse en el contexto del sistema social (o estructura) en el que existe. Las personas no son simplemente actores independientes que toman decisiones independientes, son el producto de las condiciones sociales en las que viven.

Tutor2U.(n.d.). Structuralism

Estructuralismo

Structuralism (or macro theories) is the school of thought that human behaviour must be understood in the context of the social system – or structure – in which they exist. People are not just independent actors making independent decisions, they are the product of the social conditions in which they live.

Tutor2U. (n.d.). Strcuturalism.

Structuralism

En esta línea el concepto de Sur Global, que adquiere fuerza desde inicios del siglo XXI, reconoce las reivindicaciones sociales, políticas, económicas y culturales de las sociedades de África, Asia, América Latina y el Caribe. Sus luchas y sus experiencias, así como sus saberes y desarrollos intelectuales que, incluso, comparten con actores sociales marginados en el Norte Global

Vergara Agámez, J. (s.f.). Las voces del Sur Global cuentan cómo se relaciona el mundo

Términos como periferia, tercer mundo, No-Alineados, países en vías de desarrollo, países de ingreso bajo hacen referencia a un conjunto de estados cuyos procesos de desarrollo han sido distintos a los de las potencias industrializadas dominantes (principalmente Europa Occidental y Estados Unidos). Además, desde el siglo XVIII, han sido referentes en la producción y divulgación del conocimiento.

Vergara Agámez, J. (s.f.). Las voces del Sur Global cuentan cómo se relaciona el mundo

In this line the concept of Global South, which gains strengths since the beginning of the 21st century, recognizes the claims social, political, economic and cultural of the societies from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Their struggles and their experiences, so like your knowledge and developments intellectuals that even share with social actors marginalized in the Global North.

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Terms such as periphery, third world, Non-Aligned, developing countries, low-income countries refer to a set of states whose processes of development have been different fro those of the dominant industrialized powers (mainly Western Europe and USA). Furthermore, since the century XVIII, have been references in the production and dissemination of knowledge.

Mass Comunication Talk

Dependency Theory

This theory argues that the periphery's reliance on the core for trade, investment, and technology creates a relationship of dependency. The periphery is unable to develop independently and is trapped in a subordinate position within the global economic system.

Unequal exchange

This concept highlights the unequal terms of trade between the core and periphery. The periphery exports raw materials and agricultural products at low prices, while importing manufactured goods from the core at higher prices. This leads to a net transfer of wealth from the periphery to the core.

World-system theory

Developed by Immanuel Wallerstein, this theory views the global capitalist system as a single, interconnected entity. It emphasizes the historical and structural nature of global inequality, arguing that the core's dominance is not accidental but a result of centuries of exploitation and colonization.

Unequeal exchange

The persistent trade deficits of many developing countries, particularly in the agricultural sector, illustrate the concept of unequal exchange. These countries export primary commodities at low prices, while importing manufactured goods at higher prices, leading to a net outflow of wealth.

Economic determinism

This principle posits that economic factors, such as the mode of production and distribution of wealth, are the primary drivers of international relations. It suggests that political and social structures are ultimately shaped by the underlying economic system.

Mass Comunication Talk

Dependency Theory

This theory argues that the periphery's reliance on the core for trade, investment, and technology creates a relationship of dependency. The periphery is unable to develop independently and is trapped in a subordinate position within the global economic system.

World-system theory

Developed by Immanuel Wallerstein, this theory views the global capitalist system as a single, interconnected entity. It emphasizes the historical and structural nature of global inequality, arguing that the core's dominance is not accidental but a result of centuries of exploitation and colonization.

Unequal exchange

This concept highlights the unequal terms of trade between the core and periphery. The periphery exports raw materials and agricultural products at low prices, while importing manufactured goods from the core at higher prices. This leads to a net transfer of wealth from the periphery to the core.

Core-periphery model:

This model divides the world into two main categories: the wealthy, industrialized "core" countries and the less developed "periphery" countries. The core countries dominate the global economy and exploit the periphery for resources and cheap labor, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and underdevelopment.

The historical relationship between European colonial powers and their colonies in Africa and Asia exemplifies the core-periphery model. The colonies were exploited for their resources and labor, contributing to the wealth and development of the colonizers while remaining underdeveloped themselves.

Debt crisis in 80s

The debt crisis of the 1980s, in which many developing countries struggled to repay their loans to Western banks, is often cited as evidence of dependency theory. These countries were trapped in a cycle of debt and dependence, limiting their ability to pursue independent development strategies.

Unequeal exchange

The persistent trade deficits of many developing countries, particularly in the agricultural sector, illustrate the concept of unequal exchange. These countries export primary commodities at low prices, while importing manufactured goods at higher prices, leading to a net outflow of wealth.

Reference: Gereffi, G. (1990). Paths of industrialization in Latin America and East Asia

Industrialization strategies in the 1960s and 1970s of many developing countries

The decision of many developing countries to adopt export-oriented industrialization strategies in the 1960s and 1970s can be seen as an example of economic determinism. These countries prioritized economic growth over other considerations, hoping to catch up with the developed world.

• What do you know about "Milagro mexicano"?

• Adapting a global product or service to meet the needs of a local market
• Incorporating local culture, customs, and traditions into a product or service
• The process of adopting elements of global culture to local cultures

Glocalization

Refers to the idea that local conditions should be considered when globalizing something. It can mean: