Lecture 3 - Classical Realism

Question 1

background realism

Answer 1

oldest school of thought in IR, dominant in post-WW2 era.

theory to which other theories reacted

roots: machiavelli / hobbes

Question 2

idealism

Answer 2

assumes essential goodness & infinite malleability of human nature

blames the failure of social order to measure up to the rational standards

believes that a rational and moral political order, derived from universally valid abstract principle can be achieved

trust in education, reform, sporadic use of foce to remedy these defects

Question 3

classical realism

Answer 3

imperfect world is the result of forces inherent in human nature

a world of opposing interests and of conflict

moral principles can never be fully realized

solution = temporary balancing of interests / system of checks and balances –> aims at lesser evil than absolute good

appeals to historic precedent rather than abstract principles

Question 4

with whom does Morgenthau situate himself with in a discussion?

Answer 4

idealism

Question 5

principle 1 = politics is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature

Answer 5

it distinguishes between truth and opinion

international politics should be about what is true objectively and rationally, supported by evidence - no motives or preferences

human nature = interest in power (actor based theory)

Question 6

Why develop a rational theory of international politics?

Answer 6

To avoid two fallacies:

• Concern with motives.
• Concern with ideological preferences.

If you let your own ideas, motives and ideological preferences get in the way of your theorizing, that is dangerous.

Theories should not be made by and judged by morals

Question 7

principle 2 = Interest is defined in terms of power

Answer 7

political sphere thinks in terms of power, so all politics is a struggle for power.

sets politics apart from economics / religion / ethics

domestic leval has laws / norms / institutions that restrain individuals, international level does not

Question 8

principle 3 = interest defined as power is an objective category that is universally valid

Answer 8

interest = power goes for everyone

the exact meaning of power is not fixed. power can be described as military / economically / territorially / influence etc.

but the essence of power is unaffected by the circumstance of time and place. what kind of power is relevant is dependent of in which time we live, with its own political / cultural context

so the kind of interest determining political action dpeneds on political / cultural context

Question 9

principle 4 = only moral rule is prudence (weighing the consequences of alternative political action)

Answer 9

virtue of politics is prudence

duty of leaders is to act in the national interests

rational foreign policy is a good policy

Question 10

principle 5 = exactly the concept of interest defined in terms of power, saves us from both moral excess and political folly

Answer 10

by defining interests as power, you do not clothe your particular aspirations and actions in the moral purposes of the universe, because that will distract you from doing what is the most rational

Question 11

principle 6 = realism maintains the autonomy of the political sphere

Answer 11

duty of politcal realists is to protect the political sphere from other interests than power (moral or economic)

Question 12

balance of power

Answer 12

aspiration for power on the part of several nations, each trying either to maintain or overthrow the status quo, leads of necessity to a configuration that is called the balance of power and to policies that aim at preserving it.

purpose = maintain the stability of te system without destroying the elements composing it

Without a state of equilibrium (balance) among states, one state will gain ascendancy over the others, encroach upon their interests and rights, and may ultimately destroy them

no choice to join this sytem, because of the nature of the system. every state has the tendency for wanting to be superior, and a balance is in favour of all nations

so balance of power is necessary, inevitable and essential for the states, because without a balance, another country may overtake them

Question 13

two typical patterns in balance of power

Answer 13

direct opposition

competition

Question 14

patterns balance of power: direct opposition

Answer 14

clash between two nations, where one nation wants to establish its power over another nation.

yet this nation refuses to yield and will in turn try the same

this balancing and opposing will continue until nations (or one) change their objective or if one becomes the stronger one.

Question 15

patterns balance of power: competition

Answer 15

country A en B try to safeguard the independence of country C against enroachments by the other

Question 16

there are three factors that determine the neutrality of state C

Answer 16

1. balance of power
2. the protection of the dominant state
3. unacttrativeness concerning imperialistic aspirations

Question 17

different methods of balance of power

Answer 17

divide and rule

compensation

armaments

alliances

Question 18

divide and rule

Answer 18

a tactic to keep competitors weak by dividing them or keeping them divided.

Question 19

compensation

Answer 19

countries will only agree to concede political advantages to another nation with the expectation of receiving proportionate advantages in return

this could be pieces of their own land or from their colonies. fertility of the soil and number of the equality of the populations were used to determine the worth of the territory.

Question 20

armaments

Answer 20

the principal means of handling disputes. states try to keep up, if not outdo, each other with a superior military force - cold war

high level of competitiveness and uncertainty

can also stabilize balance of power by a reduction of armaments

Question 21

alliances

Answer 21

Alliances are a necessary function of the balance of
power operating within a multiple-state-system

three choices to maintain relative power positions
1. increase own power (armaments)
2. add to their own power the power of others
3. withold the power of other nations from adversary

an alliance requires of necessity a community of interests for its foundation

Question 22

problems of balance of power

Answer 22

uncertainty = exact power difficult to measure

unreality = Requires to always seek maximum power/superiority which can, however, never really be achieved -> limitless aspiration for power.

its use as an ideology = To disguise, legitimize, justify use of power through appeal to principles

Question 23

How useful is then a BoP for the Preservation of Peace and Security? - pro’s

Answer 23

No universal dominion by a single state since 1648;

Between 1648-1795 [partitions of Poland], all members of the state system were preserved

Question 24

How useful is then a BoP for the Preservation of Peace and Security? - cons

Answer 24

BoP kept at the price of many wars and of states having been eliminated;

BoP only functions at the cost of much violence and warfare