Neo-Realism: a structural theory of IR

1
Neo-Realism a structural theory of IR

• Kenneth Waltz Theory of International Politics,
  1979.
• Connection with real life a critique of Carters
  foreign policy and an intellectual platform for
  Reagans foreign policy.

2
Key Assumptions

• Waltz shares key assumptions with classical
  realism sovereignty, statism and self-help.
• Innovation international politics works like the
  market. This means that human nature based
  explanations should be dismissed. Also,
  explanations based on the nature of states should
  be dismissed.

3
The International System

• The interactions of states generates systemic
  pressures that then states have to contend with.
  Structural theory.
• It is these constraints that explain the
  behaviour of states.

4
Key Aspects of Neo-Realism

• The notion of systemic anarchy.
• The position of the state in the system
  determines external behaviour.
• The position is the product of power you can
  rank states in order of power.
• The state is a rational and unitary actor.
• The notion of national interest.
• Absence of morality.

5
Polarity

• How many power centres exist in the system? This
  determines polarity.
• Polarity is important because it can help explain
  how a peaceful stability can be achieved.
• Mechanism for peace balance of power. Imbalances
  are dangerous in a competitive environment.

6
Practical implications

• Interest-driven policies. Foreign policy becomes
  a game where countries compete to stay ahead or
  get ahead.
• Emphasis is therefore on benefits not morality.
• Change can only occur through a war which
  redistributes power around.

7
Criticism

• There are two categories of criticism
  theoretical and political.
• Theory-based criticism anarchy is not an
  immutable condition, states are not the only
  relevant actors in the system, notion of
  sovereignty is questionable.
• Politics-based criticism if the principles of
  world politics are immutable, it legitimises
  inequality and war. Conservatism as the natural
  state.