GP- Comparative Theories: Realism Flashcards
Realism -
A theory of global politics based on the principle that nation states are the main actors in international relations and that conflict is more likely than cooperation.
International anarchy -
The lack of any supranational authority above state level in global politics, meaning that states’ behaviour cannot be controlled.
Security dilemma -
Nation states boost their military power because they feel they must protect themselves from threats.
However, since all nation states act in the same way this leads to arms races and alliance building, meaning a state’s defensive actions may have made it more vulnerable. That is the security dilemma.
Comparative theory helps with what in global politics?
Understanding and predicting the behaviours of states.
What are the two main comparative theories?
Realism and liberalism.
How do realism and liberalism differ in their approaches?
They have very different priorities and approaches to how nation states should interact with each other.
What core political ideas should be referenced in the 12-mark question?
Ideas expressed in liberalism, conservatism and socialism.
What kind of question requires candidates to discuss relevant core political ideas?
The compulsory 12-mark question on realism and liberalism.
Which key thinker’s negative view of human beings aligns with realism?
Thomas Hobbes.
Which liberal thinkers have a positive view of humanity?
John Locke and John Stuart Mill.
Which socialist thinkers share a positive view of humanity once freed from capitalist exploitation?
Marx and Engels.
What is realism rooted in?
Thomas Hobbes’ dark view of human character and motivation.
According to Hobbes, what are human beings motivated by?
‘A perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceaseth only in death’.
Who said, ‘The social world is but a projection of human nature onto the collective plane’?
Hans Morgenthau.
What is classical realism founded on?
The belief that since human beings are motivated solely by self-gain, nation states act in the same way, continually seeking power and prestige at the expense of lesser states.
What does state egoism mean according to realism?
There will always be a struggle for influence between ‘power-maximising’ rival states.
What does neo/structural realism add to classical realism?
Since nation states are sovereign as well as being self-seeking, international relations are inherently anarchic.
Why are international relations anarchic according to neo/structural realism?
Independent nation states will never accept the authority of any supranational institution able to compel their obedience.
What is the risk due to the anarchic nature of international relations?
The risk of conflict since no institution of global governance has sufficient authority to ensure nation states act according to international law.
What do nation states prioritize according to realism?
Their national interests above anything else.
What are the main points of realism?
Nation states are the most important actors in global politics, no other actor has the authority to control or limit the behaviour of nation states, states should become as powerful as they can, to deter the potential aggression of other states, since global relations are anarchic and there is ‘no night watchman’ to maintain order, nation states must prioritise their own security rather than rely on flawed institutions of global governance like the United Nations, and since the highest goal for a nation state is survival in a hostile anarchic world order, liberal principles like encouraging the spread of liberal democracy, human rights, free trade and the rule of law are irrelevant and potentially dangerously destabilising.
What does international anarchy mean for nation states according to realists?
Nation states must prioritize their own national interests and security, as there is no authority beyond states that can control or limit their behaviour.
What kind of world order do states live in according to realism?
A ‘self-help’ world order.
How can states maximize their security according to realism?
Through increased military spending and by joining powerful military alliances.
What is the purpose of maximizing security according to realism?
To deter the potential aggression of other powers since they have no incentive to risk confrontation with such a powerful adversary
Who said, ‘In the anarchic world of international politics, it is better to be Godzilla than Bambi’?
John Mearsheimer.
What does realism seek to achieve?
A balance of power in which military strength is evenly distributed between states, so discouraging the use of force because the risks are too great.
What is the security dilemma faced by realist thinkers?
A nation state maximizing its security is likely to encourage potential adversaries to do the same, leading to arms races, which create suspicion and hostility, so that strategies designed to increase the security of a nation state may put it at greater risk.
What is the inescapable security dilemma?
That the defensive actions states take may increase the likelihood of war.
What happened with NATO after the end of the Cold War?
NATO continued to add new members from states previously allied to the Soviet Union.
What attempts were made between Russia and NATO?
Attempts to improve dialogue.
What did Russia frequently say about NATO?
That NATO was a national security threat.
What military defensive operations did NATO continue?
Military defensive operations in Western Europe and expanded its military action beyond Europe (e.g. in Afghanistan and Libya).
What military actions did Russia continue?
Russia, too, continued to expand its military action in conflicts in the region (e.g. in Georgia) and beyond in Syria.
What happened in Crimea in 2014?
Russia invaded Crimea and annexed the region from Ukraine.
What happened in Ukraine in 2022?
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine after demanding that Ukraine declare neutrality and pledge not to join NATO.
Why did Russia invade Ukraine?
As Ukraine remained committed to joining NATO.
What did the invasion of Ukraine lead to?
A war between the two nations.
What have both Russia and NATO tried to do?
Carefully match their military power, without successfully eliminating the other as a security threat.
