iii. classical realism

8/3/2019 III. Classical Realism

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Classical

REALISM



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Realism

Theory of realism that became dominantafter the end of the second world war isoften claimed to rest on older, classical

thought that starts with Thucydides (460-406 AC)

Realism defined itself against idealism.

The perscriptions it offered wereparticularly well suited to the US‟ rise tobecome the global hegemon.



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Human nature:

Human nature is egoistic, andinclined toward evil; aspire for power.Thus, conflict among people isinevitable.

Within states human nature is tamedby hieararchical political structure ofauthority and rule. Yet, in internationalrelations anarchy prevails.



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International Anarchy:

There is a sharp distinction between domesticand international politics; basic structure ofinternational politics is anarchy (no centralauthority above states); but there is hieararchicalstructure in domestic politics.

States cannot trust other states, but need toacquire,maintain, demostrate and exercisepower.

States can sacrifice their internationalobligations based on their own self-interest;States defend their interests by frequentlyimmoral means



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Doctrine of raison d‟etat:

International relations is conflictual andthreatening

States are primary actors, all other actors are

less important The survival of state can never be guaranteed,

because the use of force is a legitimateinstrument

States must pursue power and statesman mustcalculate rational steps to survive in hostileenvironment



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National interest and morality:

International relations: struggle among greatpowers for domination and security (state of war)

Main values: national security and state survival

States guarantee security, welfare, nationalinterest

All states must pursue their own national

interest; there is a belief in primacy of self-interest over moral principals; human morality isconfined to the state does not extend tointernational relations.



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Power and politics:

First priority for state leaders is to ensure statesurvival.

Under anarchy, state survival cannot be

guranteed. States with power have betterchance for surviving.

Power is crucial and defined in military strategicterms.

There can be no progressive change in worldpolitics: basic facts of world politics neverchange



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Other assumptions

War and intervention are treated by realists ashonorable instruments of statecraft.

They see war and intervention as high politics.

About the low political issue such as humanrights they are skeptical. Also, they argue thatinternational economic order would threaten theorder based on power and self-help and would

lead to disorder.



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Classical realism

Classical realism begins with Thucydides‟representation of power politics as a law ofhuman behavior.

Reduction of Realism to a condition ofhuman nature: The derive for power andthe will to dominante are held to befundamental aspects of human nature.The behaviour of state as a self-seekingegoist is understood to be merely areflection of the characteristics of the

people.



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Contributers to realist perspectiveon international relations:

Thucydides

Machiavelli

Hobbes Spinoza



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THUCYDIDES: ‘Peleponnesian

War’ (431-404 BC)

written on a conflict between Athens and Sparta:

War was inevitable, because of the rise of Athenianpower, which feared Spartans about a shift inbalance of power. Sparta’s national interest was

survival and changing distribution of powerrepresented a threat to its existence. Thus Spartawas compelled to go to war. Spartans felt guilty,because they violated the treaty by starting war.

They were unaware that moral principles cannothold; treaties are not binding outside commoninterests they reflect, and as conditions change theysimply loose their relevance.



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Peleponnesian War

Athenians argue that all states werederived to expand their power. TheAthienan motives were self-interest and

honor. ‘Honor’, as the Athenians use it,seems to give imperialism a noblecharacter.

The fact that Athenians act based ontheir power and for self-interest isclearly observed in Melian Dialogue.



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The Melian dialogue

is between Athenian leaders who arrived onthe island of Melos to assert their right ofconquest over the islanders and response of

Melians (ally of Spartans). Melians should realize that there is unequal

power distribution among Greek city states.Strong dominates the weak. Melians should

submit to Athens without resistance, thusminimize suffering, otherwise may bedestroyed.



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Machiavelli (1469-1527)

Theory of survival:

World is dangerous and oppurtunistic

Supreme value is national independence and

survival

Rulers defend interests of state and ensure itssurvival:

that requires strenght (power); ruler must be lion;ruler must be also ruthless and deceptive (fox);

ruler must not operate with rules of Christian ethics



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„The Prince‟:

A book designed for Italian princes. The realist political thinking, in which secular

sense of statecraft are distinguished fromreligious ethics. He argued that Christian moral

principles were harmful for state leaders.International politics requires different moralprinciples than in domestic politics.

Prince must be prepared to break their premises

if its is in their interests and conquerneighbouring states before they attack them.Unless security is achieved, Machiavelli claims,the pursuit of all other goals is pointless.



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Machiavelli

endorses imperialism. He praises the ancientRomans for pursuing a policy of universalimperialism. In Machievelli‟s view their imperialpolicy was justified, because they haveconquered neighbors who may threaten theirsecurity. Thus, Romans conquered the world outof self-defense. They reacted rationally to ahostile environment. Due to foreign threats

Romans could not act with moral principles.Moral rules cannot be applied to internationalpolitics; moral action leads to failure. Thisoutlook help to explain why preemptive attack is

justified.



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Machiavelli‟s realism

thus attempts to overcome moralinhibitions in the pursuit of self-interest.But he does not say that prince or state to

be always „not good‟. Yet, to be moral andsuccessful is dependent on luck.

Furthermore, states can make treaties but

can break its premises (independent frommoral force) if it is in their interest.



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Hobbes (1588-1679): „Leviathan‟

His principle concern was with the establishmentof domestic authority (relationship between theruler and ruled)

His main contribution to realism was hisdiscussion of the state of nature. He tells thatthere was natural condition (state of nature) priorto invention of nation state (after the peaceagreement at Westphalia in 1648, the rise ofindependent state system was observed); it is anatural condition that there is no security for anyhuman being.



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In Hobbes‟s state of nature

People are roughly equal. Out of this equalitycomes the hope of attaining desired ends. Butany two men desire the same thing, which they

canot both enjoy, they become enemies. Henceconflict results.

Man can escape from that natural conditions bycreation of a sovereign state; it will protect them

from internal disorders and foreign threats; mancan be secure and at peace under sovereignstate.



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From Leviathan

“..during the time that men live without acommon power to keep them all in awe,they are in a condition which is called war;

and such a war, as is of every man,against every man.”



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Image of state of nature

Has been viewed as reflecting theinternational system. Just as in state ofnature, the international system involves

constant tension and possibility of conflict.There is anarchy (no central authority) inthe international system.



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According to Hobbes

Achievement of domestic security throughcreation of a state is accompanied byinternational security dilemma.



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International security dilemma

States arm themselves (military power) anddefend themselves against foreign securitythreats

They try to survive under international anarchy There cannot be permanent peace between

sovereign states. War is necessary for resolvingdisputes

States can also contract treaties (internationallaw), but states will obey them if it is in theirinterests and security.



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Spinoza supplements Hobbes‟scontributions to realist theory:

Spinoza states that, by nature, states have aright to whatever they have the power to obtain.States, like individuals, are naturally enemies.Spinoza admits that there can be alliances andtreaties. But treaties and alliances derive theirforce from the mutual interests they serve; whencircumstances change, parties may unilaterallydisobey treaties. The state has obligations only

to its subjects and advancement of theirinterests and will not obey disadvantageousaggreements.



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Classical Realism: Morgenthau(1904-1980)

Animus nominandi : the human lust for power;human are pursuing power, self-interest; theywill be inconflict; the only way to escape is bycreation of independent state:

“Politics is struggle for power” Political ethics and private ethics are not same:

There is no morality in international relations

(different than private morality); political leadershave responsibility for security and welfare:spying, lying, cheating, stealing....

M th „P liti A



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Morgenthau: „Politics AmongNations‟ (1948)

posited 6 principles of political realism:

1. Politics, like society in general, is governed byobjective laws that have their roots in human

nature.2. İn international politics realists emphasize

interest defined in terms of power

3. That interest defined in terms of power is anobjective category that is universally valid(applicable to all states throughout the world)



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4. there is tension between the moral commandand requirements of successful political action;universal moral principles must be filteredthrough the concrete circumstances of time andplace.

5. political realism refuses to identify the moralaspirations of a particular nation with the morallaws that govern the universe

6. interest defined as power is an understandingthat gives international politics a separatestanding from other fields of study.



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For classical and neo-classicalrealists

Power and responsibility are inseparableconcepts: Rulers seek for power and alsoit is their responsibility to pursue power

The balance of power is a basic value: it isa legitimate goal and guides great powers

Balance of power is desirable, because it

prevents hegemonic world domination byany one great power



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The Idea of Balance of Power

BASIC RULE: ally against any statethreatening domination. If one stateseemed to dictate too much, others would

form an alliance and create balance toprevent hegemony of one state

PURPOSE: not to preserve peace but topreserve sovereignty and independence ofstates against potential aggressors.



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Balance of power

is a doctrine and an arrangement

whereby the power of one state (or

group of states) is checked by thecountervailing power of other states

iii. classical realism

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