Realism Flashcards
What does classical realism say is the cause of war?
Human Nature
What does neo-realism say is the cause of war?
Anarchy
Who are some of the ancient and pre-modern thinkers that classical realism is based upon?
Thucydides, Machiavelli & Hobbes
The lessons of which conflict led to the emergence of Realism as a critique of the liberal internationalist thinking during the inter-war period?
World War Two
Who said that liberal internationalism is dangerously normative and that scarcity is the cause of conflicts- between the ‘have’ and ‘have-nots’
E. H. Carr
How does Carr view liberalism?
Liberalism is ‘utopian’ and normative- it focuses on what should be, rather than what is.
What does Carr see as shaping international relations?
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’.
What does Carr see as the only way to change the configuration of power?
War
E.H. Carr belongs to which school of IR thought?
Classical Realism
Morgenthau belongs to which school of IR thought?
Classical Realism
What kind of methodology does Morgenthau promote?
Positivist
Which text did Morgenthau release in 1948?
‘Politics Among Nations’
Whose concept of ‘human nature’ does Morgenthau employ in his explanation of the source of conflict?
Hobbes- ‘Nature of Man’, not ‘scarcity’ is the source of conflict
What is Hobbes’ concept of ‘human nature’?
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
What are Morgenthau’s propositions about states?
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
What kind of theory does rationalism claim to be?
Rational
What do classical realists say states should avoid if they wish to avoid conflict?
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
In what ways is neo-realism similar to classical realism?
Overriding goal of states: survival
States can increase their likelihood of surviving only by increasing their power
In what ways is neo-realism different to classical realism?
Systemic analysis (human, state, international)
Anarchy as the overriding rule of international relations
Who was the ‘founder’ of neo-realism?
Kenneth Waltz
What are Kenneth Waltz’s most influential texts?
‘Man, The State, and War’ (1959)
‘Theory of International Politics’ (1979)
What are the key ideas within neo-realists claim of anarchy?
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
How likely do neo-realists view the possible creation of a world government?
Very unlikely
What do defensive and offensive neo-realists fundamentally agree and disagree about?
Both agree that states’ desire for security is compelled by the anarchic structure of the international system
Disagree over how much power is needed
Who are some influential defensive neo-realists?
Van Evera, Walt, Snyder and potentially Waltz
What is the defensive neo-realist view concerning how states seek to secure themselves?
To secure themselves, states seek to maintain their position so they aim for an appropriate amount if power in balance with other states
What is the defensive neo-realist view concerning states’ power?
More power can lead to less security, so the rational state has little incentive to seek additional power once it feels secure
Name an influential offensive neo-realist
Mearsheimer
What is the offensive neo-realist view concerning how states seek to secure themselves?
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
What is the offensive neo-realist view concerning states’ power?
Conquest or domination is good in itself but that having overwhelming power is the best way to ensure one’s own survival
Who came up with the concept of ‘security dilemmas’?
Johan. H. Herz, ‘Idealist Internationalism and the Security Dilemma’ (1950)
What is meant by the term ‘security dilemma’?
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
What are the fundamental beliefs inherent to classical realism?
Power comes from the state
Unit-based, states the main actors
Human nature at root of power maximising behaviour states
Empirical, deductive
What are the fundamental beliefs inherent to neo-realism?
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)
What is meant by the term ‘balance of power’?
Balance of power: equilibrium of power where no state or ‘coalition of states’ in a position to dominate others
What is meant by the phrase ‘balanced multipolar’?
More than two major powers with roughly equal power capabilities
What is meant by the term ‘unbalanced multipolar’?
More than two major powers, one state markedly powerful than its neighbours (a potential hegemon)
What are some benefits of a multipolar system?
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
What are some benefits of a bipolar system?
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
What are some flaws of a multipolar system?
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
What are some criticisms surrounding realism and its attitude towards states?
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?
What are some broader criticisms towards realism?
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?
What is one of the core teachings of Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ (1532)?
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.
