Core tenets of realism

Question 1

what is understood by survival?

Answer 1

In an anarchic international system, the primary objective of all states is survival as conflict is omnipresent. Decision-makers must consider survival as their supreme interest as it is their responsibility as state leaders.

Question 2

What is the state of war?

Answer 2

Realists assume that due to a lack of central authority the international system is at a state of war at any time; that means, even if there is no actual conflict, states always have to be aware of the constant threat of aggression or war.

Question 3

What reasons do we have to think that the 21st century will be a realist century?

Answer 3

Reasons for thinking of the 21st century as a realist century are, among others, given by the continuous prevalence of national interests within an often idealized Europe, as well as the ambivalence of the West in sanctioning human rights violations - as for example in China or Russia, where economic interests seem to prevail.

Question 4

what are the core principles of realism?

Answer 4

1. Statism
2. Survival
3. Self-help

Question 5

(1. Statism) (that state is main actor & distinguished by sovereignty) principles

Answer 5

• 1. Organise power domestically

* 2. Gain power internationally

Question 6

sovereignty

Answer 6

supreme authority to make and enforce laws

Question 7

(1. Statism)Statism- realists assume

Answer 7

that domP & order is already sorted, but not in IS due to anarchy
• States compete w eachother for power & security in anarchic system. Comp viewed in zero-sum (more for 1 actor= less for another)

Question 8

(1. Statism)Statism- concepts of power

Answer 8

o 1. relational concept, it’s exercised in relation to other entities
o 2. Relative concept, need to calculate own and other states’ power capabilities

Question 9

Survival

Answer 9

Waltz (1979) precondition for attaining all other goals

Question 10

(2. Survival)precondition of survival

Answer 10

provides alt. moral code for state leaders

Question 11

(2. Survival))Survival & defensive theory

Answer 11

security:main interest, states only want enough power to pursue security

Question 12

(2. Survival)Survival is guided by

Answer 12

o 1. Morally relativist notion of Ethic of responsibility- weighing up consequences, acceding some immoral individual action for greater good (ie Machiavelli–> need dif realm of moral & ethics for ruling vs how individual should)

Question 13

(2. Survival)What is main issue with realist formulation of ethic of responsibility?

Answer 13

it doesn’t tell leaders how they should weight these consequences (Smitth 1986)

Question 14

3. Self-help

Answer 14

• States must defend themselves, unlike citizens in states (no anarchy & they have security).  self-help is the principle of action, but this process inevitably causes other states to feel uncertain and leads to…

Question 15

(3. Self-help)Self-help is the principle of action but this process inevitably causes states to feel uncomfortable, leading to…

Answer 15

1. security dilemma

2. relative gains issue

Question 16

(3. Self-help)Security dilemma definition

Answer 16

One states quest for seucirty is often another state’s source of insecurity

Question 17

(3. Self-help)What is the solution to the security dilemma?

Answer 17

form alliances to attain some balance of power by having checks & balances against other powerful actors
— balance must be constructed
o 1. Internally (expanding state capabilities)
o 2. Externally (forming alliances w. other states)

Question 18

(3. Self-help)What does the collapse of balance of power mean?

Answer 18

states can mitigate but can’t escape security dilemma

Question 19

relative gains isse

Answer 19

despite comparative advantage theory: all states wealthier if we had free mvt of goods across borders, but individual states can see ways to increase their wealth through protectionist policies so they won’t do this, causing others to be protectionist too

Question 20

(Realism today:)• Despite rise of transnational corporations,

Answer 20

state still dominant actor

Question 21

(Realism today:) • Globalisation part of

Answer 21

power dish

Question 22

(Realism today:)• Despite 9/11 being commited by non-state actors, to Waltz & Colin Gray it was

Answer 22

‘business as usual’

o Waltz: affirmed tendency of v. powerful states to misuse power

Question 23

(Realism today:) • Iraq War:

Answer 23

Mearsheimer & Walt warn of dangers of neglecting national interests

Question 24

(Realism today:) • Realist view of globalisation: rudimentary transnational governance

Answer 24

possible but depends on power dist

Question 25

(Realism today:) • Argued that rather than transforming WO like liberalism tried to do in 20th century, realism may

Answer 25

need to be asserted in order for these western values/traditions to survive.