Introduction to Realism 5/14/2013I. Classical Realism ( Hans Morgenthau)A. Response to US Realism B. Pursuit of Power ( Real politik) II. Neo-Realism (Kenneth Waltz) A. AKA Structual Realism B. Assumptions 1. States are rational unitary actors2. States seek security 3. Anarchy C. Balance of Power1. Alliances 2. Bandwagoning3. Balancing D. Polarity1. Uni-Polarity (Hegemonic Stability Theory)2. Bi-Polarity3. Multi-Polarity E. Security Dilemma- Prisoner’s Dilemma Game TheoryInternational Relations-Developed as a result of 2 world Wars-European Wars-most destructive wars world has ever seen-Europe is also home of the enlightenment-Equality/ Individual Rights/ Went from Europe to the rest of World-WW1-15 million deathsWW2- Estimated 40-75 million deaths Why do WARS occur? What can we do to avoid war?3 Main perspectives of International Relations-Realism (most prominent)-Liberalism-Constructivism I. Classical Realism -Focuses on power; put power heavily on leader of state and human nature being selfish and humans are aggressive-The most important actor in IR is the STATEHistorical/ Intellectual Realists -Thycydides -Niccolo Machiaveli-Thomas Hobbes -Carl Von Clausewitz-Hobbean Ideal (Thomas Hobbes) – action of leader reflects on the states/ his followers are considered classical realists A. Response to US Realism Realists-Overall focus on state system and survival of the state.-Realists focus on the state system and look at international affairs from a state perspective-Focus on spread of democracy and increasing communication -Respect and recognize sovereignty of other states -Realists thought war was natural and inevitable; they will always happen Hans Morgenthau – leader of classical realism- “politics among nations” -Classical Realist-Dominance of Realism in American Politics-Directly tied to the ideals of Realism in American Politics-You can have a flawed system, but it can be fixed by: 1. through communication2. Spread of democracy3. Recognizing and respecting states sovereigntyWar a result of individuals that were flawed created flawed systems and governments &-Poor leadership-Poorly Organized States-Idealism Ex- WW1- system can be fixed as long as states communicate with each otherB. Pursuit of Power-Real Politk= Power politics or the focus on the acquisition and exertion of power IDEALISTS-Eliminate war through process of democratizationLeague of Nations- Woodrow Wilson creationA. Brought States togetherB. Tried to provide order through communication C. States work together through selective security-Realists thought this idea was naïve-Argue that conflict cannot be stopped by democratization/ war is natural Why?-Nature of Mankind and it was man who created states-Individuals are constantly in pursuit of power- thus states are too-Only way to prevent war is to prepare for it -The stronger you were the more powerful you were b/c no one will challenge youII. Neo-Realism-1970s new ideas emerge and realist perspective becomes more formalized-Classical Realists and Neo-Realist differ on solution-NR-States #1 concern should be security so it can ensure survival-Conflict is not the result of individuals but the structure of the system how states are aligned-Neo Realism is known as structural realism for this reason - Structural realism -Because there is no global governmental authority, states are going to be in a competition with each other -Ultimate goal of state is not power but survival. Thus, a state’s primary goal is to ensure securityB. Assumptions of Neo-Realism:1. States are rational unitary actors – state acts as individual player -Actions designed to guarantee its security-Based on own rational self interest -Concerned primarily on themselves -Structure of the system is essential 2. States seek security -Whether democracy or authoritarian regime the goal is survival and lasting -May do so by increasing their security/power and possibly scaring their neighbors-Not power but survival-In competition w/ other countries which increase chance of war3. Existence of Anarchy -We don’t have a global government- No UN-body made up of states-States are going to act the way they want to act- tend to be self centered-Each state is responsible for its own security-This brings insecurityC. Balance of Power-Why is War common though? What can we do to avoid it?-Must have a balanced power and a sense of equilibrium to avoid conflict1. Alliances- Weak states seek allies to become stronger – protect them and build strength-Strong states also need allies- Realists believe alliances should be fluid, not fixed- They see alliances as beneficial when it benefits the state but they can also be vulnerable- May become too dependent on alliance for protection2. Bandwagoning -Small states join more powerful larger states- Problem- Stronger powers take advantage of weaker powers and then attack them- Ex- 19390 Germany/ SU sign a treaty- Soviets bandwagoning, then Germany attacks the SU3. Balancing -Finding the equilibrium for the balance of powers, not one side larger than the other - Expected behavior that decreases the probability of war -1871 Germany unification that ruined the balance in Europe b/c no longer equal power- Ex- US and Great Britain- balance is strong- we can assume we will always be friends- Realists perspective- NEVER believe this b/c times/motivations changeD. Polarity1.Uni-Polarity ( Hegemonic Stability Theory) – one state has the most power, militarily, economically and culturally- United States by far most powerful2. Bi-polarity – 2 major poles of powers -Seen as the most secure by the realists3. Multi-Polarity- when you have multiple powerful players in a system -Realists predict this is where we are headed Cooperation-Can states work together and cooperate?-Can’t force a state to cooperate and there is no form of enforcement- Relative Gains -Zero-sum games – one state’s gains result in another state’s lossSecurity Dilemma – Prisoner’s Dilemma (game theory)WW2 key to Prisoners Dilemma-Do not confess=Arm-Confess=DisarmRealism Continued I. WWIA. Germany and the Security Dilemma B. Balance of Power & reasons for its Demise1. Power Transition 2. Russia & the Preventative WarII. Interwar to WWIIA. Balance of PowerB. League of Nations-Japan- (Manchku & Italy)C. AppeasementD. Nazi Germany as a revisionist state- Mearsheimer viewpointIII. Cold War Errupts A. Division of Post War Europe B. East-Central Europe- Soviet SatellitesC.
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