Realism Flashcards
does realism have an optimistic or pessimistic approach to international relations?
pessimistic (negative)
What are the three s’ that realist believe in as a concept
-state
-self help
-survival
How are the three s’ relevant to current times?
Self-help is particularly relevant in a COVID-19 context. If states can’t rely on international organisation then consequently they must help themselves
What do realists understand the world as being
Global Anarchy
States act rationally in their own interest seeking to maximise power and perhaps more portly the contact of COVID-19 security
What are the types of realism?
classical realism
neo/structural realism
What is classical realism
human beings and consequently nation states are motivated by the desire for power security
What is realism rooted in
Conservatism
what is neo/structural realism
nation states are the primary actors in global politics as the main motivation is on of self interest, global politics is necessarily anarchic as states compete for influence creating inherit instability within the system
What do realist believe of the human nature
-they see humans are selfish, greedy and power seeking
-they seek security in an uncertain world
-they place greater emphasis on instinct that reason
-do you believe that human nature is fixed-humans always behave in this manner
How do realism make decisions
Based on maximisation of the power and security
Because in realism nation states play the dominant role in national politics and make decisions based on maximisation of the power and security states live in a what ? environment
self-help environment and so are guided by pragmatic considerations of self interest
What did Hobbes describe life in the state of nature as
“ solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short “ and characterised by “ A war of all against all “
what did Hobbes believe about in the state of nature no one would be ?
Strong enough to live in total security
What does Hobbes say social order demands
Decisive and cohesive road for the state
What did Hobbes say that a strong state is most certain in?
Most certain Way of guarding against mankind tendency toward violence
What are the five main ideas of realism?
-states are key actors in global politics and the balance of power
-security dilemma
-balance of power
- John Dalton’s ballard ball model (international anarchy and its implications)
-inevitability of war
What is balance of power?
states may try to balance power by trying to match the military and economic resources of their rival (could lead to provoking them)
smaller states may join alliances with more powerful or smaller states
Explain The main idea of realism -Inevitability of war 
States are likely to try to maximise the power and influence, resorting to, or provoking, conflict if necessary
stays on her Italy selfish and likely to promote their own national interest, even if that means resorting to conflict
security dilemma
World system is anarchical so there is no authority capable of preventing
Who’s is the conservative core thinker?
Hobbes
What was the conservative core thinker quote
Hobbes memorably described life in a state of nature as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” and characterised by “a war of all against all.”
Explain Dalton’s Ballard ball model
Billard balls in the game represent nation states
The balls hard shells represent the national sovereignty of individual states
if one ball hits the others they will spread out across the table they will remain separate entities and we’re not merge together
What is Billard balls method referring to
it is explaining realism!!!!
What are consequences of the international anarchy
not all states will follow the rules especially those that don’t benefit them 
Explain how states are the key actors in global politics and balance of power
IGOs only exist because states created them
States often act outside IGOs
States still have the power to act unilaterally regardless of IGOs or treaties
fair trade only exist because states have agreed to it
