1. Realism

2. 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 ( BC)
Niccolo Machiavelli ( )
Thomas Hobbes ( )
Jean-Jacques Rousseau ( )

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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