Through this weeks lecture we learned that actors' actions are driven by either interests or ideas. Interest is defined as the intersection between preference and some external constraints. Essentially, a rational calculation on how to achieve a certain outcome or preference. Reversely, an idea is defined as certain norms or values which are instilled in a person through culture, etc. Goldstein and Keohane define ideas as "beliefs held by individuals." An important question brought up at the end of the lecture was how does one determine what a state's interests or beliefs are.
The fact that states are comprised of individuals makes it easier for us to analyze what ideas drive a certain state. This can be done easily enough by examining a state's culture, religion, etc. These cultures and beliefs create the norms or ideas of individual actors and therefore the state formed by those actors. The harder part comes when trying to examine a state's interests.
Ideally, a state uses interest to drive an action when it makes a rational calculation on how to get what it wants. Theoretically, it is important to note that when making such actions, the majority of the individuals making up the state have to agree with the ways and outcome performed by the state. For instance, a Catholic state, such as Ireland, would not legalize abortion because the individuals making up the state would not agree with it. This raises the question is the state's actions motivated by interest or idea? Therefore, I do not believe that a state can apply rational logic in a situation because that logic is influenced by ideas. I believe that states apply logic and reasoning to their existing ideas to achieve national interests.
Through these readings and lecture, I have found that you can not have interest and ideas without the other. If ideas are intrinsic then we use these everyday when applying reason and logic without even realizing it. If states are composed of individual actors than the same could be said about the actions of a state. If interests and ideas are linked then what drives a state's actions when two different cultures and intrinsic values make up that state?
Dori, I had the exact same though to your point: " Therefore, I do not believe that a state can apply rational logic in a situation because that logic is influenced by ideas..." Because as you said, at the end the state is made up of people. So it really doesn't matter whether we look at the individual in that sense or whether we look at the state. The only difference might be the degree...
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