Topics Today:Realism

1. Finishing classical realism.2. Neorealism.3. Other contemporary realism.

Classical or Traditional Realism

2. Hans Morgenthau – Politics Among Nations (1948).

1. First attempt at realist textbook.2. Trying to create “science” of

international politics.3. Level of analysis: More emphasis on

human nature than structure of system itself.

Classical or Traditional Realism

Morgenthau’s 6 principles of political realism:

1. Politics governed by objective laws with roots in human nature.

2. Interest defined as power.3. Forms of state power will vary with time

and place, but interest defined as power will remain constant.

Classical or Traditional Realism

Morgenthau’s 6 principles of political realism:

4. Political action has moral consequences, but morality cannot guide action.

5. There is no universally agreed set of moral principles.

6. Political sphere is autonomous from legal, moral, or economic spheres. Politics deals with power.

Conclusion: What principles do classical realists share?

1. Must look at world as it is, not as it ought to be.

2. Interest of states and leaders is power.3. Ambition for power comes more from

human nature than structure of system. 4. Moral claims or arguments about justice

have no place in foreign policy. 5. These principles are permanent aspects

of international politics.

Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)

Principles of neorealism:1. To explain international system,

must create system-level theory.1. Units of system (states)

functionally similar.2. International politics different

from domestic politics.

Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)

Principles of neorealism:2. Anarchy central defining aspect of

system. Consequences:1. Self-help – cannot rely on others.2. Uncertainty – attack always

possible.

Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)

Principles of neorealism: Consequences of anarchy drive

for power to attain security. No assumptions about human

nature necessary.

Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)

Principles of neorealism: Consequences of anarchy states

act similar under similar constraints.

Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)

Principles of neorealism:3. Search for power has limits – states

really seek security.1. Excessive power grab can prompt

security dilemma.

Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)

Principles of neorealism:4. Alliance behaviour:

1. States will always balance rather than bandwagon in alliances.

2. Bipolar systems more stable than multipolar systems.

Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)

Distinctive traits of Waltz’s methods:

1. Deductive.1. Particular observations cannot

ever lead to whole theories.2. Level of analysis:

1. System-level only. 2. Only need to know power

capabilities of states.

Other Contemporary Realism --

Robert Gilpin – War and Change in World Politics (1981)

Theory of cycle of hegemonic power. Hegemon: single, powerful state

that controls or dominates lesser states.

E.g. Roman Empire, British Empire, American hegemony (empire?).

Gilpin’s Hegemonic Cycle

Hegemonicwar

Disequilibrium – Hegemon

over-committed and weakens

Hegemon provides collective

goods for system

Rivals gainpower rapidly

Hegemon – Equilibrium

Other Contemporary Realism

Robert Gilpin – War and Change in World Politics (1981)

More analysis of domestic processes of growth and decline than Waltz, in order to explain change.

This provides theory with greater scope and detail, but less definite predictions than Waltz’s strict neorealism.