LG514: International Relations Theory Lecture 4: Carr, Morgenthau & the Birth of Realism Ken McDonagh School of Law and Government

Overview: Realism as Critique: Carr and Niebuhr From Critique to Theory: Morgenthau Why Realism? The Cold War as Realism in Practice Realism today: The Return of Tragedy in power politics

Realism as Critique Reinhold Niebuhr Moral man and Immoral Society (1932) – Although men could be good, Liberals had massively overestimated mans propensity to goodness – ‘Good’ always in conflict with sinful, acquisitive and aggressive drives – Parallels with Morgenthau’s arguments

Realism as Critique: Carr and the Twenty Years Crisis Published in 1939 Devastating critique of Liberal Internationalism Coins the term ‘Utopianism’ to refer to Liberals Central argument rested on the critique of the ‘Harmony of Interests’ International Politics about the control of and competition for scarce resources – “International order’ and ‘international solidarity’ will always be slogans of those who feel strong enough to impose them on others” (P80)

Carr and the Limitations of Realism “The impossibility of being a consistent and thorough-going realist is one of the most certain and most curious lessons of political science” (Carr, 1939, P84) Four essential ingredients of effective political action excluded by Realism: – A finite goal – An emotional appeal – A right of moral judgement – A ground for action

Hans J Morgenthau Politics Among Nations 1948 Two key differences to Carr: 1. The source of conflict in IR was not scarcity but sin (human nature) 2. Systematised realist thought Highly influential in post-WWII Realist thought 6 principals of Political Realism

Principles of Political Realism 1. “Political Realism believes that politics, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature” (P4) Scientific view Based on facts Unchanging/timeless

Principles of Political Realism 2. “The main signpost…is the concept of interest defined in terms of power”(p4) Emphasis on rational action defined in terms of prudence and success 3. “Realism assumes that…interest defined as power is…universally valid, but…[its meaning is ] not…fixed once and for all” (p7) In other words how states pursue interests may change overtime Context is important

Principles of Political Realism 4. “Political Realism is aware of the moral significance of political action. It is also aware of the ineluctable tension between the moral command and the requirements of successful political action” (p9) 5. “Political Realism refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with the moral laws that govern the universe” (p10) 6. “How does this policy affect the power of the nation?” (p10) Sole criterion for judgement is political

The Three S’s States – The state is the pre-eminent actor – Sovereignty is the defining feature of States Self-help – No other state or institution can be relied upon – Cooperation is possible but it is limited and unstable Survival – The primary objective of all states is to survive – All political decisions need to be judged on their outcomes

Realism and Morality “Certain things are not being done on moral grounds, even though, it would be expedient to do them” (Morgenthau 1948 p 237) To see the evil dimension of politics was the first step in acting morally Likewise Carr argued: “If…it is utopian to ignore the element of power, it is an unreal kind of Realism which ignores the element of morality in any world order…an international order cannot be based on power alone” (p ) Realism as a starting point rather than an end was a feature of early realist thought Tragic approach to politics “Broadly the realist stresses the constraints in life; the utopian stresses the opportunities” (Nicholson 1998 p65)

Why Realism? – The Cold War “A new theory is called into being by the failure of an old theory…Realism seemed to offer a more coherent and accurate account of the world than the liberal ideas it critiqued” (Brown & Ainley p27) The outbreak of WWII & the start of the Cold War

Realism in Action The Truman Doctrine – George Kennan and the Moscow Telgram (1947) – Containment – preventing the spread of Communism – Korean War 1950 Henry Kissinger & Détente – National Security Advisor to Nixon – Sought ‘Balance of power’ – Criticised ‘ideological’ approaches to International Politics – But did he cross the bounds of morality?

Realism in Action The Arms Race Use of the bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 USSR followed in 1949 MAD – Mutually Assured Destruction – Based on ‘second strike’ capabilities – Led to arms control talks during détente – Raised tensions under Reagan – Star Wars and the 2 nd Cold War

Realism Today One Realism, or many? From the 1960’s onwards much of Realism takes a scientific/behaviouralist approach to the study of international politics For some the End of the Cold War presents challenges to the realist view For others 9/11 and the events that followed revived interest in modern Realism “Realism must be a part of the analytical toolkit of every serious student of international relations. But if it is our only tool…our vision of international relations will be sadly impoverished” Donnelly, P54