Are states the only actors in international relations?

We recently got posed this question in a seminar, and it's thrown me a little :s-smilie:

I haven't found any of the reading on it too helpful either.
Would it be correct to argue that whilst the realist perception of the state as the only (significant) actor on a global scale isn't correct, particularly in an era of globalisation, that states still remain the most important actors in IR?
Rep for anyone who helps :smile:

Reply 1

AliciaJ703

Realists believe states are the only viable actor in the international system, however, today, states, institutions (i.e. intergovermental and non - governmental institutions), and individuals are all inclusive actors. Check out this literature:

Alger, Chadwick. “The Emerging Roles of NGOs in the UN System: From Article 71 to a People’s Millennium Assembly.” Global Governance 8, no. 1 (2002): 93 – 117.

Cels, Johan and Sadako Ogata. “Global Insights: Human Security – Protecting and Empowering the People.” Global Governance 9 (2003): 273 – 282.

Greico, Joseph M. “Anarchy and the limits of cooperation: a realist critique of the newest liberal institutionalism.” In Controversies in International Relations Theory edited by C. Kagley Jr., 485 – 507. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1995.

Keohane, Robert O. and Lisa L. Martin. “The Promise of Institutionalist Theory.” International Security 20, no. 1 (1995): 384 – 396.

Mearsheimer, John J. “The False Promise of International Institutions.” International Security 19, no. 3 (1994/1995): 329 – 383.

Newman, Dwight. “A Human Security Council? Applying A “Human Security” Agenda to Security Council Reform.” Ottawa Law Review 31, no. 2 (1999 – 2000): 1 – 24.

Reply 2

Laurah5498

You've got to consider the work of groups such as the EU and NATO. States being the only actors is a realist point of view.

Have a mooch through some IR textbooks. Sorensen and Jackson (Introduction to International Relations, Theories and Approaches) is pretty good. Nicholson (International Relations, a conscise introduction) is a nice one too :smile:

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