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International Relations > Realism > Flashcards

Realism Flashcards

1
Q

What does classical realism say is the cause of war?

A

Human Nature

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2
Q

What does neo-realism say is the cause of war?

A

Anarchy

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3
Q

Who are some of the ancient and pre-modern thinkers that classical realism is based upon?

A

Thucydides, Machiavelli & Hobbes

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4
Q

The lessons of which conflict led to the emergence of Realism as a critique of the liberal internationalist thinking during the inter-war period?

A

World War Two

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5
Q

Who said that liberal internationalism is dangerously normative and that scarcity is the cause of conflicts- between the ‘have’ and ‘have-nots’

A

E. H. Carr

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6
Q

How does Carr view liberalism?

A

Liberalism is ‘utopian’ and normative- it focuses on what should be, rather than what is.

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7
Q

What does Carr see as shaping international relations?

A

Power NOT morality shapes international relations- so we should understand the realities of power.

Consensus happens but as an outcome of temporary power configurations, not a ‘harmony of interests’.

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8
Q

What does Carr see as the only way to change the configuration of power?

A

War

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9
Q

E.H. Carr belongs to which school of IR thought?

A

Classical Realism

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10
Q

Morgenthau belongs to which school of IR thought?

A

Classical Realism

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11
Q

What kind of methodology does Morgenthau promote?

A

Positivist

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12
Q

Which text did Morgenthau release in 1948?

A

‘Politics Among Nations’

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13
Q

Whose concept of ‘human nature’ does Morgenthau employ in his explanation of the source of conflict?

A

Hobbes- ‘Nature of Man’, not ‘scarcity’ is the source of conflict

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14
Q

What is Hobbes’ concept of ‘human nature’?

A

Emotions, thoughts and reasoning are products of self-interest seeking nature of humans

The aggressive, power-seeking characteristic of states reflect the basic nature of human beings

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15
Q

What are Morgenthau’s propositions about states?

A

Stats are key actors

They have interests, which dominate their behaviour

Are egoists and never sacrifice themselves, they are rational

Seek power to achieve their goals

International relations is about rational states pursuing interests defined in terms of power

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16
Q

What kind of theory does rationalism claim to be?

A

Rational

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17
Q

What do classical realists say states should avoid if they wish to avoid conflict?

A

States should avoid ‘crusades’ of moral and ideological natures.

Moral excess has destroyed nations and civilisations. Better to pursue policies that respect other nations’ interests but promote ours at the same time

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18
Q

In what ways is neo-realism similar to classical realism?

A

Overriding goal of states: survival

States can increase their likelihood of surviving only by increasing their power

19
Q

In what ways is neo-realism different to classical realism?

A

Systemic analysis (human, state, international)

Anarchy as the overriding rule of international relations

20
Q

Who was the ‘founder’ of neo-realism?

A

Kenneth Waltz

21
Q

What are Kenneth Waltz’s most influential texts?

A

‘Man, The State, and War’ (1959)

‘Theory of International Politics’ (1979)

22
Q

What are the key ideas within neo-realists claim of anarchy?

A

Anarchy is not a ‘lack of order’, but lack of an ‘orderer’

Hierarchy and anarchy

Capacity of each state to pursue and achieve survival and power varies according to its placement in the international system and its relative power

In anarchic system, the best chance for states to survive is to maximise their power

Conflict is always a possibility

23
Q

How likely do neo-realists view the possible creation of a world government?

A

Very unlikely

24
Q

What do defensive and offensive neo-realists fundamentally agree and disagree about?

A

Both agree that states’ desire for security is compelled by the anarchic structure of the international system

Disagree over how much power is needed

25
Q

Who are some influential defensive neo-realists?

A

Van Evera, Walt, Snyder and potentially Waltz

26
Q

What is the defensive neo-realist view concerning how states seek to secure themselves?

A

To secure themselves, states seek to maintain their position so they aim for an appropriate amount if power in balance with other states

27
Q

What is the defensive neo-realist view concerning states’ power?

A

More power can lead to less security, so the rational state has little incentive to seek additional power once it feels secure

28
Q

Name an influential offensive neo-realist

A

Mearsheimer

29
Q

What is the offensive neo-realist view concerning how states seek to secure themselves?

A

Security is elusive in a self-help system so states aim to attain as much material power as possible, to become global or regional hegemon. They pursue aggressive, expansionist policies

30
Q

What is the offensive neo-realist view concerning states’ power?

A

Conquest or domination is good in itself but that having overwhelming power is the best way to ensure one’s own survival

31
Q

Who came up with the concept of ‘security dilemmas’?

A

Johan. H. Herz, ‘Idealist Internationalism and the Security Dilemma’ (1950)

32
Q

What is meant by the term ‘security dilemma’?

A

Under anarchic self-help system, difficult to built trust and cooperation

Security dilemma- states arm to protect themselves, but may create fear among other states

Fears associated with shifts in the balance of power

33
Q

What are the fundamental beliefs inherent to classical realism?

A

Power comes from the state

Unit-based, states the main actors

Human nature at root of power maximising behaviour states

Empirical, deductive

34
Q

What are the fundamental beliefs inherent to neo-realism?

A

Power is structural- not from the units (states) themselves, but from the place of the units in the system

Structure-oriented, structure of anarchy has causal power

Behaviour of states stems from their place in the system, human nature has no role

Observable, repeatable patterns at the system level (science, search for generalisable laws, inductive)

35
Q

What is meant by the term ‘balance of power’?

A

Balance of power: equilibrium of power where no state or ‘coalition of states’ in a position to dominate others

36
Q

What is meant by the phrase ‘balanced multipolar’?

A

More than two major powers with roughly equal power capabilities

37
Q

What is meant by the term ‘unbalanced multipolar’?

A

More than two major powers, one state markedly powerful than its neighbours (a potential hegemon)

38
Q

What are some benefits of a multipolar system?

A

More great powers, better prospects for peace

Deterrence easier and more credible

Less hostility between powers compared to bipolar system: more players to focus on, less attention to specific states

39
Q

What are some benefits of a bipolar system?

A

Power imbalances less likely

Easier to understand intentions of other states- less potential for miscalculation and war

No problem of ‘passing the buck’, i.e. the collective action problem as in multipolarity

40
Q

What are some flaws of a multipolar system?

A

More great powers, unevenly distributed wealth and population- imbalance. Stronger states take advantage of weaker states

The possibility of uniting as a group against a state in multipolar systems can be destabilising

41
Q

What are some criticisms surrounding realism and its attitude towards states?

A

States seen as trapped in the system and powerless to change it- but then how does change happen?

Is anarchy a given or is it a creation of states?

Most states have learnt to transcend their violent instincts and resolve conflicts through peaceful means

State-centred

Is the state still the most powerful actor in international relations?

Can we assume states are rational?

42
Q

What are some broader criticisms towards realism?

A

Western-centric and gendered

Status quo oriented: serves the interests of those who benefit from the current system

Scientific ambition and aims to predict but poor record of predicting

Is international politics really isolated from domestic politics?

43
Q

What is one of the core teachings of Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ (1532)?

A

A leader’s primary concern is to promote national security. The leader needs to be alert and cope effectively with internal and external threats to his rule.

Must be willing to use violence when necessary to guarantee the survival of the state.

International Relations (2 decks)

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