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Summary PO131 World Politics Realism
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A concise summary of Realist school of thought, completed in line with the module's seminar prompts for clear and targeted revision preparation. For Warwick PAIS PO131
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Realism Revision(Prompt seminar questions):
What are the core ideas of classical Realism?
Is human nature the most important factor in world politics?
Why do neo-Realists give such attention to the logic of anarchy?
Realism: ‘realism is the label given to the traditional orthodoxy in political
approaches to understanding international relations - Realism in all of its
forms emphasises the continuities of the human condition, particularly at the
international level – on the basis of these continuities, realists see power as
the driving force in all political life – because relations between states are
power driven, and because the anarchic structure provides few constraints
on the pursuit of power, realism emphasises the competitive and conflictual
side of international relations’. Brown, Garret et al.
‘Realists see the world in terms of tragedy and evil’. Professor Randall
Schweller
Assumptions Made by Realists:
- States are the main actors in world politics (state centrism)
- Most states are functionally similar as survival is the objective which
unifies states.
- Tensions is inevitable in world politics because the international system
is hostile. A good state actor will avoid this hostility manifesting in war.
- Analysis of world politics should begin with power; thinking about what
power is as opposed to what it should be (realist vs idealist).
- Different standards of morality apply to individuals and states. State
actors must be prepared to act immorally to ensure the survival of their
state.
- Material power (military force/ economic power) is more significant
than discursive power (ideas).
Types of Realist:
Simple Theorist Theorist Explanations
Explanation s
Classica Politics is Morgentha Morgenthau’s Six Principles of Political
l Realist governed by laws u Realism:
that are created
by human nature. 1) Politics is governed by objective laws
International (humans/ states driven by power and
politics is all survival)
about the power 2) Politics is shaped by self-interest defined
, struggle between in terms of power: ‘international politics,
competing human like all politics, is a struggle for power’.
interests. ‘whatever the ultimate aims of
international politics, power is always
the immediate aim’.
3) Power may be a universal objective, but
takes different forms which are shaped
by the broader cultural-political context
4) A strain exists between morality and
successful political action
5) The moral aspirations of a nation do not
identify with the moral laws that govern
the universe: ‘To know that nations are
subject to the moral law is one thing,
while to pretend to know with certainty
what is good and evil in the relations
among nations is quite another’.
Morgenthau.
6) Statemen must always think in terms of
power.
Carr and Morgenthau both believed that states
may act immorally to secure survival, but
disagreed over ‘big ideas’ and popular
influence on foreign policy. Whilst Carr
supported the USSR, Morgenthau did not.
Furthermore, Morgenthau criticised the anti-
communist stance adopted by the US
government and how this culminated in the
Vietnam War.
Human beings naturally want to seek power
over others, this human nature culminates in
the power dynamics between states. States
seek to preserve power, increase power
(imperialism) and demonstrate power
(prestige). Preserving the balance of power is
essential in maintaining the liberty of states; if
a state is threatened by a hegemonic state,
alliances must be formed with other states to
act as a power check on the hegemonic state
(eg: the formation of NATO in response to
growing USSR dominance).
Carr A critic of Liberal Idealism which assumes a
harmony of interests between states. A belief
that international organisations, such as the
League of Nations, could tame international
relations. Carr argued that this ‘harmony of
interest’ was merely a tool used by the Allies
after WWI to preserve their own interests by
excluding revisionist states (those who wanted
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