Following Week 3's live session, I had a few more thoughts regarding the question of "interests or ideas." In the Goldstein and Keohane chapter, they argue that while ideas may not be the main motivational force in the decision-making by states, they do have a role in actions that states take. I agree with this position but would suggest that ideas play a role only when those ideas align with the interests of a state.
Throughout the various discussions that took place during the live session and breakout session, I kept coming back to this idea. It seems that when a state can choose to promote their beliefs at the cost of their best interests that the state will choose to promote their best interests.
I also followed --and elaborated on-- this same thought in this week's Module 2 Interactive Activity assignment. (The presentation can be seen below.)
Leave you thoughts in the comments section below.
-SC
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