Classical Realism

Question 1

Key classical realists

Answer 1

Thucydides
Machiavelli
Von Clausewitz
Morgenthau

Question 2

classical realism characteristics

Answer 2

1. recognizes that domestic relations affect the international atmosphere.
2. history is cyclical
3. use ethics (rooted in Biblical interpretation of human nature) to explain the international community , leading them to believe that states are self-interested and ultimately seeking unilateral power.
4. influence and power are different because influence is intangible while power is not.
5. Power = material capabilities

Question 3

Balance of power

Answer 3

Classical realism: the international cooperation in order to have a world order, the balance of power is a potential cause for conflict because even though they order/BoP my persist for some time it will destabilize because one unit may believe it is more powerful than the order it finds itself in.

Neorealism: balance of power is the natural equilibrium of international relations

English school: balance of power is an institution that must be decided upon by states, who share the same interests and values.

Question 4

interest and justice

Answer 4

justice is the foundation of community and order because it is the key to influence it easier for states to comply if the rules of self-restraint and it is the basis on which actors construct their interests because if you fashion your interests in alignment with the justice and morals in place more states (powerful states) will practice self-restraint.

Question 5

modernism

Answer 5

Change that leads to shift in identities and balance of power

Question 6

realism’s view of neorealism

Answer 6

1. Does not have strong foundations- does not accurately or fully define key concepts.
2. it is not falsifiable
3. Relies on a process of natural selection to shape the behaviour of units, doesn’t take into account units can have strategies that they pass down and they have agency.

Question 7

Kenneth Waltz

Answer 7

Father of neorealism

Question 8

community, order and stability

Answer 8

the communal bond between states is what maintains order and reduces conflict, not one dominant ruler, Thucydides and Morgenthau.

Question 9

Thucydides and Morgenthau views of modernism post-cold war

Answer 9

Thucydides- there is a need for a synthetic order, a mix of new and old
Morgenthau- order that defined post cold war as anarchic and states being unrestrained.

Question 10

classical realism view on theory

Answer 10

classical realism doesn’t says that general laws do not exist, the social world is too complex and containing of irrational actors to be limited by laws.

Question 11

Case of Iraq for realists

Answer 11

An example of when power is acquired the balance of power is broken, a tragic story.

Question 12

5 assumptions of classical realism

Answer 12

1. focus on state actors
2. all states have offensive military capabilities
3. survival is the first priority of states
4. states are rational actors with incomplete info