International Relations. A self-Study Guide to Theory

Self-study (2) 
Now read Putnam 1988. What is the “logic” of two-level games? 
2.3.
New liberalism as a contribution to multi-causal explanations
For Moravcsik, new liberal theory demonstrates that there is no “superiority” 
of systemic theories in IR. He criticizes the fact that over a long period of 
time the “image” of domestic theories was that they could only be used to 
explain those “anomalies” in international politics that could not be explained 
by a systemic theory. Moravcsik regards this as being inconsistent with the 
rationality assumption and empirically biased (Moravcsik 2008: 251). In-
stead, he holds that the converse is true: new liberal theory is “analytically 
prior” to neorealism and institutionalism because liberal theory defines the 
conditions upon which the assumptions of neorealism and neoinstitutionalism 
are based (Moravcsik 1997: 515-516). State behavior must be modeled in a 
multi-causal manner, as a “multi-stage process of constrained social choice” 
(Moravcsik 2008: 250). This kind of stage-model gives precedence to the 
variation in state preferences. States first define the state preferences and only 
then do they become engaged in bargaining processes and negotiations. This 
can be explained by liberal theories of state-society relations. Preferences 
therefore take analytical priority over strategic action and only after this do 
states reach agreement on institutional solutions, which can be explained by 
realists, institutionalists, and new liberal theories of strategic interaction (Mo-
ravcsik 2008: 250). This order means that the role of strategic factors, such as 
power and information, comes last. Moravcsik is convinced that new liberal-
ism can be synthesized with other theories to form a multi-causal explanation 
that is consistent with social theory (Moravcsik 1997: 515-516; 2008: 235).

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Step 3: 
Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions 
Key aspects