Realism Flashcards
What are the three core assumptions?
Statism, Self- Help and Survival
Define Statism
Term given to the idea of state as legitimate representative of collective will of the people.
Who is the principle actor?
What does legitimacy of state enable?
- 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.
However, what is the other part of statism?
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.
Explain Survival, What is it motivated by?
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.
Explain self help
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.
Implication of self help system?
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.
Realism perspective on progress?
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.
List the strands of realism
Classical Realism Structural Realism (neorealism) Neoclassical Realism
When did Classical Realism come about?
Why is there perpetual conflict in the international realm?
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.
What will states continually look to do?
Classical Realism
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.
What are classical realists sceptical of?
Find out more on this
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.
Describe Balance of Power
(Still Classical Realism
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.
When did structural realism come about and by whom?
1979, Kenneth Waltz, “Theory of international relations”
Main distinction with Classical Realist’s?
It is not human nature but the anarchical system that fosters fear and insecurity.
What does the lack of overarching authority cause?
security competition, interstate conflict, and difficulty to achieve cooperation all results from lack of higher authority over sovereign states.
Structural realism has three elements, list them.
- Organising principle
- Character of the Units
- Distribution of capabilities.
Describe organising principle?
anarchy (drawing distinction between domestic (hierarchic) and international (anarchic)
Describe Character of the units?
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.)
Describe Distribution of capabilities ?
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.
What type of realism is this (distribution of capabilities) ?
Security maximisers (defensive realism) ; balancing power to ensure security.
How to states balance the power in international realm?
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)
What are the two strands within structural ?
Defensive realism
Offensive realism
Describe Defensive Realism
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.
