Realism

Question 1

What are the three core assumptions?

Answer 1

Statism, Self- Help and Survival

Question 2

Define Statism

Answer 2

Term given to the idea of state as legitimate representative of collective will of the people.

Question 3

Who is the principle actor?

What does legitimacy of state enable?

Answer 3

• sovereign state has been the principle actor in international politics.
• enables state to exercise authority within its domestic borders; hence why we have order and security in domestic realm. But this order and peace can only be enjoyed within a state.

Question 4

However, what is the other part of statism?

Answer 4

Distinction between domestic and international realm.
international realm; condition of anarchy, International politics takes place in an arena that has no central authority above individual sovereign states.
- no-one to answer to, so more insecurities and threats.

Question 5

Explain Survival, What is it motivated by?

Answer 5

idea of the international realm being anarchic motivates state leaders to prioritise own survival, (Core national interest) survival in this environment cannot be guaranteed. (state competition, possibility of war always) mistrustful of others. (Hence the security dilemma)
International politics= struggle for power (more power for state A means less power for state B) make sure you have enough as only way to ensure survival.

Question 6

Explain self help

Answer 6

Always look out for yourself, unable to trust other states/self-reliant. self help is fundamental principle of state action.
Only way to ensure safety is helping themselves.

Question 7

Implication of self help system?

Answer 7

Cooperation is difficult because even when strong incentives they are guided by the anarchy state. There is a self help system, where survival is the national interest/ do not trust anyone else states will pursue individual interests over collective interests.

Question 8

Realism perspective on progress?

Answer 8

Unlike liberals, realists do no believe in progress in the international realm. inherently always conflict.
cyclical patters of war and conflict; continuity rather than change.

Question 9

List the strands of realism

Answer 9

Classical Realism 
Structural Realism (neorealism)
Neoclassical Realism

Question 10

When did Classical Realism come about?

Why is there perpetual conflict in the international realm?

Answer 10

Thucydides - 20th century
Human’s inherently desire power and are self interested; Human nature drives conflict and competition in the international realm because the behaviour of the state as a self seeking egoist is a reflection of Human beings.

Question 11

What will states continually look to do?

Classical Realism

Answer 11

States will continually look for opportunities to increase own power and dominate others.
This stems from survival; can only ensure survival if we are powerful.
(as do not trust anyone else)
Human nature can be tamed in domestic realm but not I.R.

Question 12

What are classical realists sceptical of?

Find out more on this

Answer 12

Universal morality; do not believe in it.
-prudent pursuit of national interest is a matter of ethical obligation.
do not believe in appealing to universal form of morality.

Question 13

Describe Balance of Power

(Still Classical Realism

Answer 13

if state survival is threatened by hegemonic state/ coalition of stronger states, it should form an alliance, preserve is independence by checking power on opposite side.

Question 14

When did structural realism come about and by whom?

Answer 14

1979, Kenneth Waltz, “Theory of international relations”

Question 15

Main distinction with Classical Realist’s?

Answer 15

It is not human nature but the anarchical system that fosters fear and insecurity.

Question 16

What does the lack of overarching authority cause?

Answer 16

security competition, interstate conflict, and difficulty to achieve cooperation all results from lack of higher authority over sovereign states.

Question 17

Structural realism has three elements, list them.

Answer 17

1. Organising principle
2. Character of the Units
3. Distribution of capabilities.

Question 18

Describe organising principle?

Answer 18

anarchy (drawing distinction between domestic (hierarchic) and international (anarchic)

Question 19

Describe Character of the units?

Answer 19

States are all functionally similar (each state is a separate autonomous and formally equal political unit) it will ignore regime type, doesn’t matter if it is a democracy. assumed to be alike, performs same tasks. (taxes ect.)

Question 20

Describe Distribution of capabilities ?

Answer 20

relative power and relative distribution of power.
Waltz believed like classical that international politics is about the struggle for power.
The distribution of power is the key variable when trying to understand matters of war and peace, alliance politics ect.
self help; states try to maximise their security and relative power positions.
- Rank ordering of states is important to understand dynamics of the system.
- need to know the number of great powers that exist at any point.
states balance power, the states have to be concerned about capabilities of other states, states check power of opposing side and establish equilibrium of power; so not one state/ coalition of state dominant.

Question 21

What type of realism is this (distribution of capabilities) ?

Answer 21

Security maximisers (defensive realism) ; balancing power to ensure security.

Question 22

How to states balance the power in international realm?

Answer 22

Through internal balancing; build up domestic military capability.
external balancing; aggregating capabilities in coalitions and alliances e.g. US and SU in Cold War.
Hard (military) vs Soft (institutions)

Question 23

What are the two strands within structural ?

Answer 23

Defensive realism

Offensive realism

Question 24

Describe Defensive Realism

Answer 24

Only seek power for necessary survival; if they try and pursue too much power, states will act against them. states are security maximisers e.g. Kenneth Waltz.

Question 25

Describe Offensive realism

Answer 25

Greater powers are power maximisers; as much power as they can get and this is how they will obtain survival e.g. John Mearsheimer
The greater powers will not be satisfied with a defensive balance of power. They always seek the pursuit of more power.
Will actually want to alter the balance to maximise relative gains.
The pursuit of hegemony is best way to ensure survival.
incentivised by power not security

Question 26

Why did neoclassical realism originate?

Answer 26

structural realism didn’t to provide explanation for what happened after Cold War.

Question 27

What do they believe about the influencing behaviour of the state?

Answer 27

anarchical structure is important in influencing state behaviour but other factors swell such as perceptions of state leaders, state-society relationships and state identity

Question 28

What do neoclassical realists disagree with

Answer 28

Character of the units, states do not always have similar interests, Schweller believes, all states have interest in security, otherwise all status quo, But Germany revisionist state in 1930, now status quo.

Question 29

How is Thomas Hobbes related to the classical tradition of Realism ?

Answer 29

The Hobbesian state of nature where the “life of man, solitary poor, nasty brutish and short” and this state of nature is removed by sovereign states who rule over us.
However, between states an international state of nature - states in perpetual conflict.

Question 30

What is the quote by Morgenthau?

Answer 30

“International politics, like all politics is a struggle for power. whatever the ultimate aims of International politics, power is always the immediate aim.”

Read Morgenthau six principles of political realism.

Question 31

What are the five assumptions by Mearsheimer?

Answer 31

1. states are principle actors operating in international anarchy.
2. every state in the system has some offensive capability
3. intentions, states can never be sure of the intentions of other states, never sure of their future intentions (in leaders heads
4. principle goal is to survive
5. rational actors.