Chapter 2 - Realism

Question 1

3 Assumptions of the World According to Realists

Answer 1

1. Groupism
   - Has evolved into the modern state
   - Very contextual, but group dynamics are based on similar things
2. Egoism
3. Power-centrism

Question 2

Realist FP - 3 Things

Answer 2

1. Ought to be oriented to the most powerful at any given time (not universalist)
2. Skeptical towards progressive foreign policies other than state interest
3. Skeptical of any state’s ability to transcend power politics

Question 3

Kyoto and Realism

Answer 3

They believe it was destined to fail as it expected global north states to give up relative power and pay for the damages of climate change

Question 4

What national interests are defined by

Answer 4

Opportunities and Threats

Question 5

Realism in Practice - 2 Things

Answer 5

1. Will try and find who has the most power in a given group and understand their interests
2. How can you best achieve your national interest given the balance of power?

Question 6

Classical Realism (HEHA)

Answer 6

1. Human nature determines state behaviour
2. Attempts at progress are misguided
3. Ethic of Prudence
4. History-based, not scientific

Question 7

Classical Realism and Major Events

Answer 7

• Came about in the concert of Europe, liked that sweet sweet balance of power
• Failure of the League of Nations
• Holocaust

Question 8

Melian People

Answer 8

They didn’t believe Athens would wage war because of democracy but they did.
They didn’t see the world the way it was, but the way it wanted.

Question 9

Ethic of Prudence

Answer 9

Your behaviour should be dictated by what you want to avoid before what you want to achieve

Question 10

Neo/Structural Realism

Answer 10

1. Wanted to be more quantitative, predictive, scientifically rigorous
2. Believe it’s all about that system level - anarchy dictates our behaviour
3. Balance of power = rational non-differentiated actors (unitary states) + condition of anarchy + differential in power
   - One must be wary of this and act on the world as such to promote peace

Question 11

Concert of Europe

Answer 11

The period following the Napoleonic wars and prior to WWI in which powerful European states decided their strategy would be to maintain a strict balance of power and fight those who tried to alter it.

Note - First time power really trumped prestige for states

Question 12

Defensive Realism

Answer 12

Maximize security
Varied policies, don’t scare others too much, but don’t appear weak.
Risk of over expansion, balancing

Question 13

Offensive Realism

Answer 13

Maximize power
Expansionist
Balancing is inefficient, security of competition
Hegemonic position

Question 14

5 Characteristics of Neoclassical Realism

ODTPF

Answer 14

1. Agree with structural realists that FP is defined by opportunity and threats at the systemic level
2. Disagree by claiming that policy is largely influenced by domestic factors
3. Recognize an imperfect transmission belt between FP inputs and outputs
4. They believe in moving away from prescriptions and moving towards probability
5. More FPA than theory of IR

Question 15

5 Neoclassical Realist Critique of Structural Realism

DDAIP

Answer 15

1. Doesn’t take domestic factors into account
2. Is too deterministic
3. Doesn’t account for agency
4. Doesn’t take intervening variables into account
5. They are poor predictors considering they claim to do just that

Question 16

Two Neoclassical Realist Critiques of Classical Realism

Answer 16

1. It’s a theory of history, not science or FP

2. Eurocentric

Question 17

Balance of Power Theory

Answer 17

External/internal balancing

Question 18

External/Internal Balancing

Answer 18

Internal - Building up military, technology, economies to be able to defend yourself
External - finding allies who are the enemies of your enemy to compensate for that which you don’t have
Internal is better because you can control yourself, don’t have to rely on others.

Question 19

Balance of Threat Theory

Answer 19

1. Aggregate Capabilities
   - Taking notes of the rise of other states
2. Geography
   - Your locale in relation to other states
3. Perceptions of Aggressive Intentions
   - Most important
   - One reason the EU has lasted

Question 20

HST

Answer 20

• If it most ideal if one state can create and maintain a system - it will be more stable
• Nothing to do with justice, just stability
• The more polars, the less stable
• Posits that peace hegemonic decline is unrealistic

Question 21

Power Transition Theory

Answer 21

• Tries to explain changes in hegemonic stability
• Makes the distinction between status quo and revisionist states
• Many believe you must look at revisionist states to understand the future

Question 22

Ethic of Prudence

Answer 22

Always watch your back first before expanding or looking elsewhere

Question 23

An agreement between all realists

Answer 23

You must recognize that the balance of power is what matters - you need to know your place and act accordingly

Question 24

Three Things Realists Say Must be Identified

Answer 24

Assumptions
- groupism, egoism, power-centrism
A scope condition 
- anarchy, world government, or global empire 
A general theory
- politics in anarchy is conflictual

Question 25

Things to Consider When Determining Which Realist Theory to Use

Answer 25

Need to consider the system of states

And establish scope conditions

Question 26

Realists and Attaining Peace

Answer 26

It is attained when people act upon the world the way it i while acknowledging power differentials.

Question 27

Balance of Power =

Answer 27

rational non-differentiated actors (unitary states) + condition of anarchy + differential in power

Question 28

Power v Reason

Answer 28

Standards of right and wrong defined by the power (not an ethical question)
Medium/Small sized states can’t do the same things

Question 29

Pitfall Of Realism as Guide

Answer 29

Poor predictors

Question 30

2 Major Lessons for Avoiding Pitfalls/Poor Predictions

Answer 30

1. Study your case very well

2. Recognize scope conditions

Question 31

Foxes and Hedgehogs

Answer 31

Hedgehogs - know one thing really well (Academic theorists)

Foxes - draw upon many things to produce quality analysis (don’t over commit to one theory)