Realism

Question 1

What is Realism?

Answer 1

paradigm based on the premise that world politics is essentially and unchangeably a struggle among self-interested states for power and position under anarchy, with each competing state pursuing its own national interests.

Question 2

John Mearsheimer, U of Chicago

Answer 2

Mearsheimer is best known for developing the theory of offensive realism, which describes the interaction between great powers as being primarily driven by the rational desire to achieve regional hegemony in an anarchic international system
– believes that China’s growing power will likely bring it into conflict with the United States.

Question 3

What is the Realist Worldview?

Answer 3

• Views states as most important actor
• Primary goal is national interest
• Repetitive struggle for power
• Security dilemma → perpetuates self-help
• Stability maintained with a balance of power
• Cooperation is difficult

Question 4

Self-help

Answer 4

principle that, because in international anarchy all global actors are independent, they must rely on themselves to provide for their security and well-being.

Question 5

Relative gains

Answer 5

conditions in which some participants in cooperative interactions benefit more than others.

Question 6

National interest

Answer 6

goals that states pursue to maximize what they perceive to be selfishly best for their country.

Question 7

Security dilemma

Answer 7

tendency of states to view the defensive arming of adversaries as threatening, causing them to arm. In response to that, all states’ security declines.

Question 8

Balance of power

Answer 8

theory that peace and stability are most likely to be maintained when military power is distributed to prevent a single superpower hegemony or bloc from controlling the world.

Question 9

Realisms Connections

Answer 9

Anarchy & Rational States → Existential Threat → Pursuit of Security and National Interests → Competition for Pow → Security Dilemma → Balance of Power (Stability or Hegemony)

Question 10

Limitations of Realist Thought

Answer 10

• Questions about use of terms power and national interest
• Offered no criteria for evaluating its claims
• Did not account for new developments in world politics
  — Overly focused on war and conflict
  — Rise of Liberal Internationalism, Constructivism