Realism

Introduction Realism: Leading Theory of International Relations Power of states is the major element/factor of international relations States are competitive Peace through strength Born out of WWII Replaced the Idealist or Utopian ideals of the Inter-War Period Reinforced State-Centric Assumption of Realism established by Peace of Westphalia (1648) Historical tradition of realism Thucydides (460-406BC) Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

Reason of State Raison d’etat or Reason of State Born out of the historical writers Maxims on how leaders conduct foreign affairs to ensure security of the state States must pursue power Leaders must make most rational decision to promote life of state Must not sacrifice self-interest of the state because of universal moral principles Leaders must distance themselves from rational morality because of the ideals of caution, piety, and the greater good Follow political necessity not traditional Christian Virtues

Dual Moral Standard Duel Moral Standard One moral standard for individual citizens living in a civil state One moral standard for the state existing in a world full of international anarchy International Anarchy = no central authority or government to promote peace and human rights = promotes winner take all The double standard principle The state represents a moral force, and individual does not, DMS is needed to promote moral and ethical political community within the state. Calls for two structures to take place Domestic = promotes morality and civility International = promotes survival and power

Core Elements of Realism All realist follow the three “S” Statism State = Main actor in IR Max Weber said state is “the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory” Sovereignty = Distinguishing = trait of state State has supreme authority to make and enforce laws Power = ability to control over the minds and actions of others Down plays the power of Corporations, NGO’s, Terrorist, etc… State as the legitimate representative of the collective will of the people Has legitimacy to exercise authority within its domestic borders Out side borders anarchy exist = no central authority Order and Security Missing for IS States Compete with other states for resources Zero-Sum Equation

Continue Survival First priority of a state Survival = Security = Power More power = better chance of survival Promotion of National Interest = best conditions for survival All leaders must promote national interest regardless of domestic ideology Political Economic Cultural Ideological Ethic of Responsibility Realization that individual acts of an immoral kind might have to be taken for the greater good Used to justify aggressive acts

Continue Self-Help That action taken in an anarchical system with no global government by promoting national interest No other state or institution can be relied upon to guarantee your survival The Principle of Action Providing your own security Self Reliance of security Security dilemma The military preparations of one state create an uncertainty in the mid of another as to whether those preparations are for offensive or defensive purposes One states security is an others insecurity Increase it Capabilities and Resources Promotes the short term needs of the state, and not the long term stability of the international community Encourages a Balance of Power Threat by a hegemonic state or coalition of states, they should form alliances to persevere their own independence by checking the power of opposing sides

One Realism, or many? Three views of Realism: Classical Realism Thucydides – realism a condition of human nature People self-seeking egoist Drive for power and will to dominate human nature Power politics prevails in International Relations Peloponnesian War The growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta caused the war The Melian Dialogue Machiavelli The Prince The fall of Florence “The ends justify the means” in promoting the state War is a part of Human Nature

Continue Structural Realism International Politics is a struggle for power between states, but not as a result of human nature Concerned with ranking order of states Three Structure elements of the International System that determine ranking, according to Kenneth Waltz’s “Theory of International Politics” Organizing Principles Anarchy – International Politics Hierarchy – Domestic Politics Differentiation of Units Sovereign States Distribution of Capabilities Resources available to the to the states

Continue States need to be concerned with Survival, not power? Offensive Realism (power) v. Defensive Realism (Survival) Power maximizers v security maximizers Power Maximizers (Offensive) Ultimate goal of all stats is to achieve a hegemonic position Hegemony – political, economic, ideological, or cultural power exerted by a dominate group over other groups Crush all other powers is the ultimate survival Security Maximizers (Defensive) Only seek the required amount of power to generate survival To much power can cause a backlash Is The US Experiencing a Hegemonic Decline?

Continue Contemporary Realism Skeptical of ranking order of states determines behavior (Structural Realism) = not all states can be defined as like units Places emphasis on Perception of state leaders Not all state leaders have common goals or are rational actors Leaders have different views of power State-Society relationships Are the people loyal to the state Can the state motivate its people and resources Motivation of states Directing resources in pursuit of a particular goal Different from state to state