Reinhold Niebuhr -- IR

Question 1

In search for compromise and humility: Reinhold Niebuhr and early American realism

Answer 1

i. American Protestant theologists, 1892-1971 (he was looking for compromise & humility in American policy)
ii. Pacifism, socialism, “Christian” and “political realism”
iv. Only by learning from cynics can we hope to do politics without being naïve: the children of light must study the children of darkness – and find a compromise between good & realistic.

Question 2

Important books

Answer 2

1. “Moral Man and Immoral Society” (1932)
2. “The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness” (1944)
   —-Darkness—“he says they have to study & understand the children of darkness… so we can be good and realistic, not everything that is good can be implemented & desired”