Lecture 9 - Realism

Question 1

Def - Political Realism

Answer 1

worldview that assumes a fixed set of practices or tendencies of humans / states / ir

Question 2

What are the two forms of Political Realism?

Answer 2

1. Classical (Nature of humans/groups/states)
2. Structural (neorealism - predictive purpose, nature of the system)

Question 3

Why is the dishonesty of leaders necessary?

Answer 3

The deception is important for moral individuals to feel good about actions that might not have moral basis to them

Question 4

What are the assumptions of political realism?

Answer 4

1. Politics governed by forces with roots in human nature
2. Anarchy and Survival - cannot escape anarchy
3. Survival and Power - Interest defined by power
4. No Spatial/Temporal limits on morality of international politics (no universal morality)
5. International qualities of states are less relevant than domestic qualities - all states act the same
6. Panacea (cure-all) is skeptical (International organizations are sketchy)

Question 5

What is the Security Dilemma?

Answer 5

C - Cooperate
D - Defect
Purpose - lack of trust leads to defection/conflict
States are like prisoners, they will avoid suckers payoff

Question 6

Def - Structural Realism

Answer 6

Agent is powerful to the extent that he affects others more than he is affected by others

Question 7

What distinguishes Hegemonic Stability Theory from other forms of realism?

Answer 7

Hierarchy vs Anarchy

Question 8

What are the assumptions of Hegemonic Stability Theory?

Answer 8

1. Hegemon seeks to control system (difference between other structural realist approaches)
2. Policemen who provide public goods (financial structure, security)

Question 9

What are the shortcomings of Realism?

Answer 9

1. Explanatory Limits (can’t explain everything)
2. Fail to see Gendered Assumptions
3. Focuses on great powers at expense of ethics and smaller states