Key Thinkers Flashcards

1
Q

Thucydides: KEY WORKS

A

The history of the Peloponnesian war, Which recounts the struggle between Athens and Sparta in fifth century BC

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2
Q

Thucydides: MAIN IDEAS

A

War is inevitable

States cannot avoid war when a rising power begins to challenge a dominant state’s control — As seen in the Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta, emergent power Athens contested Spartan supremacy

the Thucydides trap — Tendencies for war to break out when a state’s power and dominance is challenged

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3
Q

Niccolo Machiavelli: MAIN IDEAS

A

Leaders should make decisions on behalf of their people it is not their responsibility to be liked or loved but instead to be feared and respected

States should provide stability and governance

People have their own ambitions and motivations and we must be wary of them as potential enemies — self-interest, humans are selfish and egoistic

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4
Q

Carl von Clausewitz: MAIN IDEAS

A

“war is merely the continuation of policy by other means” and a tool to achieve and secure national interests

Conflict is therefore inevitable

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5
Q

Hans Morgenthau: MAIN IDEAS

A

“International politics, like all politics, is a struggle for power”

Emphasised the importance of the national interest

Criticised the Vietnam war — the USA should Not have involved itself in the war as it would not have gained anything

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6
Q

Kenneth Waltz: MAIN IDEAS

A

neorealist theory on international anarchy

The system of anarchy creates the structural problem that there is no higher power to prevent the use of force so states can only ensure their survival through self-help

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7
Q

John Mearsheimer: MAIN IDEAS

A

States seek hegemony for security

Dismissed the democratic peace theory

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8
Q

Hedly Bull: MAIN IDEAS

A

Society of states — There is no world government or single commanding authority

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9
Q

Immanuel Kant: MAIN IDEAS

A

States do have a right to go to war again other states if another state threatens it or acts aggressively, but war should be a last resort

States are obliged to leave the state of nature and enter into a union of states

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10
Q

Joseph Nye: MAIN IDEAS

A

Complex interdependence — countries are connected by multiple social political and economic relationships

Smart power is the balance of hard and soft power

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11
Q

Francis Fukuyama: MAIN IDEAS

A

The end of the Cold War represented a triumph of liberalism and the new world order

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