Lecture 2 Realism Flashcards
Thucydides
greek/athenian general (460-395)
hitory of the poloponesian war 27 yrs athens sparta
father of modern of IR theory
right - question between equal powers
strong do as can weak as must
cause of evils lust of power, passion creates violence
Morgenthau’s Principles 1
1) objective laws rooted in human nature
politics explained by theory (objective laws)
“facts” giving “meaning through reason” logic
Morgenthau’s Principles 2
2) motivation / interest defined by power
states act because of power
Morgenthau’s Principles 3
3) interest defined by power not fixed over times
interests change and depend on political/cultural context
obama / clinton / carville - bend break
Morgenthau’s Principles 4
4) morality tempered by consideration and consequences / prudence
moral principle of “national survival”
Morgenthau’s Principles 5
5) moral aspirations of a nation not moral laws nature
blasphemous conviction God on ones side
Morgenthau’s Principles 6
6) autonomy of politics -
intellectual outlook of facets of human nature
prudence
the weighing of - the consequences of alternative political action – to be the supreme virtue in politics.”
Kenneth Waltz
Father of Neo-Realism / Structural Realism
Theory of Internaitonal Politics, and Man, State, and War
argument - more nuclear weapons better
Why Iran should get the Bomb
Neo-Realism Distinction
Unit and structure
Unit
Nation
Structure
Anarchical system of International Politics
How do we know if there is a structure?
unintended outcomes despite variety at the unit level
State (Weber)
Monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force in the upholding of order
Anarchy
the lack of such a higher authority amongst states.
self-help
citizens prepared to defend themselves
national system not, international yes
Neo-Realism Domestic
Hierarchical
Composed of Differentiated Units
each with Varying Capabilities
Neo-Realism International
Anarchical
Composed of Like Units
each with Varying Capabilities
Relative Capabilities
Division of labor and differentiation or specialization across states (cooperation) becomes difficult because states ask not “will both of us gain” but “who will gain more.”
Collective Action Problem
tyranny of small decisions
who will gain more
Prison as Psuedo-Anarchy
crips and bloods - in prison join collective
balance of power
waltz and morgethau agree weaker states ally with each other to achieve balance with the powerful state
