Chapter 10: Realism as an intellectual project Flashcards
What were some reasons for the decline of liberal internationalism in the 1930s?
- The Wall Street crash and the Great Depression.
- The rise of fascism in Italy, Germany, and Japan.
- The failure of the League of Nations to prevent aggression from Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union.
What event appeared to confirm the critiques of liberal internationalism and contributed to its decline?
The start of the Second World War
What distinguishes classical realists, like Hans Morgenthau, from liberal internationalists?
Classical realists argue for a non-moralistic approach to judgment and action in international politics, emphasizing the detachment from moral ideals like justice.
What does Hans Morgenthau argue about the role of power in international politics?
Morgenthau argues that politics is governed by “objective” laws rooted in human nature, where the pursuit of power is inevitable due to humans’ desire to dominate.
What are the six principles of international politics according to Hans Morgenthau?
- Politics are governed by objective laws rooted in human nature.
- National interest is defined in terms of power.
- Power is an objective category universally true.
- Universal moral principles should not be applied to a state’s actions.
- There’s a distinction between a state’s moral aspirations and universal moral principles.
- The political sphere is autonomous.
How have revisionist scholars challenged the portrayal of Morgenthau?
Revisionist scholars argue that Morgenthau’s theory is more sophisticated and nuanced than a simple reduction to pure power politics, challenging the idea that classical realism is opposed to ethics and morality.
How does neorealism differ from classical realism?
Neorealism, unlike classical realism, locates the cause of war and conflict at the systemic level rather than on human nature. It emphasizes the importance of the international system’s structure in explaining the behaviour of states.
Neorealism focuses on system-level factors in generating explanations for international politics, such as the anarchical structure of the international system, while classical realism tends to emphasize human nature and individual state behavior.
What are the three elements of the international system according to Kenneth Waltz?
- Anarchy as the ordering principle, meaning there is no hierarchical order like a world government.
- Sovereign states as the units of the system.
- The distribution of capabilities between states, which refers to the relative power of states in relation to each other.
What does Waltz argue about the behavior of states in the international system?
Waltz argues that the anarchical structure of the international system compels all states to operate according to the principle of self-help, leading to a “security dilemma” where war and conflict are ever-present possibilities.
How do neorealists view the domestic character of individual states?
Neorealists regard the domestic character of individual states as irrelevant to their behavior in international politics. It is irrelevant whether a state is a democracy or any other regime type because all states are compelled to act in a self-interested way due to the structure of anarchy.
What is classical realism?
Focuses on human nature: Classical realists, such as Hans Morgenthau, construct a theory of international politics based on a pessimistic understanding of human nature, emphasizing the desire to dominate and the pursuit of power.
Emphasizes moral detachment: Classical realists argue for a non-moralistic approach to judgment and action in international politics, stressing the detachment from moral ideals that might have significance in domestic politics.
Concerned with national interest: National interest, defined in terms of power, guides foreign policy in classical realism. Moral progress is considered impossible in international politics.
What is structural realism? (neorealism)
Focuses on systemic level: Structural realists, like Kenneth Waltz, locate the cause of war and conflict at the systemic level, emphasizing the anarchical structure of the international system as the most important factor in explaining state behavior.
System-level explanations: Neorealism seeks to provide a coherent framework of explanation for the dynamics of international politics, focusing on the distribution of capabilities between states and the implications of anarchy.
Irrelevance of domestic politics: Neorealists regard the domestic character of individual states as irrelevant to their behavior in international politics, emphasizing the primacy of the international system’s structure.
What is the role of science and morality in the realist intellectual tradition?
Science
Proponents of realism often present their theories as scientific explanations of international politics, emphasizing objectivity, systematic analysis, and empirical evidence.
Critics argue that while realists claim scientific rigor, their theories often rely on abstract concepts and simplified models that may not accurately capture the complexity of international relations.
Overall, while realism aspires to scientific credibility, its application of scientific methods and principles is subject to scrutiny and interpretation.
Morality
Classical realists, such as Hans Morgenthau, advocate for a morally detached approach to international politics, arguing that the pursuit of power and national interest should take precedence over moral considerations.
Critics argue that the realist rejection of morality leads to a cynical view of international relations, where ethical considerations are sidelined in favor of power calculations and self-interest.
The role of “science” and “morality” in the realist tradition is complex and contested.
What is the relation between knowledge and power in realist theorising
Realists argue that power dynamics influence what knowledge is produced and accepted in international relations. States with greater power often control institutions, resources, and platforms that shape dominant narratives and discourses.
Realists recognize the role of knowledge and information in the pursuit and maintenance of power. States seek to gather intelligence, analyze data, and understand the intentions of other actors to enhance their strategic advantage.
Realists acknowledge the existence of epistemic communities—groups of experts, policymakers, and scholars who share common knowledge, values, and assumptions about international relations. These communities can influence policy outcomes and power dynamics by shaping perceptions, framing issues, and advocating for particular policy solutions.
The relationship between knowledge and power in realist theorizing is characterized by a dynamic interplay, where power shapes the production and dissemination of knowledge, while knowledge informs and reinforces power dynamics in international relations
