Topics Today: Realism

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Topics TodayRealism

1. Finishing classical realism.
2. Neorealism.
3. Other contemporary realism.

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Classical or Traditional Realism

• Hans Morgenthau Politics Among Nations (1948).
• First attempt at realist textbook.
• Trying to create science of international
  politics.
• Level of analysis More emphasis on human nature
  than structure of system itself.

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Classical or Traditional Realism

• Morgenthaus 6 principles of political realism
• Politics governed by objective laws with roots in
  human nature.
• Interest defined as power.
• Forms of state power will vary with time and
  place, but interest defined as power will remain
  constant.

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Classical or Traditional Realism

• Morgenthaus 6 principles of political realism
• Political action has moral consequences, but
  morality cannot guide action.
• There is no universally agreed set of moral
  principles.
• Political sphere is autonomous from legal, moral,
  or economic spheres. Politics deals with power.

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Conclusion What principles do classical realists
share?

1. Must look at world as it is, not as it ought to
   be.
2. Interest of states and leaders is power.
3. Ambition for power comes more from human nature
   than structure of system.
4. Moral claims or arguments about justice have no
   place in foreign policy.
5. These principles are permanent aspects of
   international politics.

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Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• To explain international system, must create
  system-level theory.
• Units of system (states) functionally similar.
• International politics different from domestic
  politics.

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Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Anarchy central defining aspect of system.
  Consequences
• Self-help cannot rely on others.
• Uncertainty attack always possible.

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Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Consequences of anarchy ? drive for power to
  attain security.
• No assumptions about human nature necessary.

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Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Consequences of anarchy ? states act similar
  under similar constraints.

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Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Search for power has limits states really seek
  security.
• Excessive power grab can prompt security dilemma.

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Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Alliance behaviour
• States will always balance rather than bandwagon
  in alliances.
• Bipolar systems more stable than multipolar
  systems.

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Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Distinctive traits of Waltzs methods
• Deductive.
• Particular observations cannot ever lead to whole
  theories.
• Level of analysis
• System-level only.
• Only need to know power capabilities of states.

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Other Contemporary Realism --

• Robert Gilpin War and Change in World Politics
  (1981)
• Theory of cycle of hegemonic power.
• Hegemon single, powerful state that controls or
  dominates lesser states.
• E.g. Roman Empire, British Empire, American
  hegemony (empire?).

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Gilpins Hegemonic Cycle
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Other Contemporary Realism

• Robert Gilpin War and Change in World Politics
  (1981)
• More analysis of domestic processes of growth and
  decline than Waltz, in order to explain change.
• This provides theory with greater scope and
  detail, but less definite predictions than
  Waltzs strict neorealism.