Introduction to International Affairs 01 10 2013 Introduction to Realism realism 1 focused on the acquisition and assertion of power 2 Focused on security and survival of the STATE I Classical Realism Hans Morgenthau A Response to US idealism B Pursuit of Power realpolitik II Neo Realism Kenneth Waltz A aka Structural Realism B Assumptions 1 States are Rational Unitary Actors 2 States seek Security 3 Anarchy C Balance of Power 1 Alliances 2 Bandwagoning Smaller states join with a more powerful larger state for protection 3 Balancing D Polarity 1 Uni Polarity Hegemonic Stability Theory 2 Bi polarity 3 Multi Polarity E Security Dilemma Prisoner s Dilemma Game Theory For a realist the most important actor is the State and the State System International organizations are submissive to the state They are only as useful as the state can manipulate them STATE WIELDS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY Historical Intellectual Realists Thucydides Niccolo Machiavelli Thomas Hobbes Carl von Clausewitz Hans Morgenthau Considered the father of classical realism Created classical realism in response to a perceived growth of idealism in the American system He criticized American foreign policy because he claimed it was based on the idea that human progress was directly tied to enlightenment ideals which meant that the individual and the society as a whole could be fixed and made utopian Idealists Believed a utopian society could be formed if 1 Communication was commonplace between societies 2 Sovereignty would be respected 3 Spreading democracy would prevent conflict War was a product of 1 Poorly organized leaderships 2 Flawed political system 3 Poor leadership These ideas inspired Woodrow Wilson when he proposed the formation of the League of Nations after WW1 The idea was to ensure collective security The realists saw this attempt at a unified collective peace as na ve Classical Realists Claim that conflict between societies cannot be stopped In fact conflict is a natural part of the international system Why would they think that was is inevitable Generally the nature of mankind does not allow permanent peace to exist Since human nature is flawed humans create flawed government systems Individuals and the states they led were constantly in pursuit of power The only way to attempt to prevent war is to PREPARE FOR IT Realists put much emphasis on the role of the leaders Humans are naturally selfish evil and aggressive Thus they require a leader whose characteristics are superimposed upon the state The Ultimate goal of the state is ACQUISITION OF POWER Neo Realism Emerges in the 1970s our realist perspectives become more formalized founded by Kenneth Waltz This theory takes both Idealism and Realism into account Basically BOTH the system and the individual is flawed Neo Realists argue that conflict is not the result of individuals the weakness of human beings Rather it is the structure of the international system that creates conflict how states are aligned No greater governing system is higher than the state so naturally states will clash The ultimate goal of the state is SURVIVAL Assumptions of Neo Realism 1 States are rational actors 2 States are going to make decisions based on their own rational self interests 3 States seek security May attempt to increase security by increasing armed forces but only for survival not for power 4 The lack of a centralized global government BREEDS INSECURITY States are generally distrustful towards other states We need a balance of power throughout the world to ensure security This is why states seek alliances to ensure a checks and balances system is kept in place between strong and weak states The main difference between Neo Realism and Classical Realism is that Neo Realism completely negates the role of the individual The Main issue with bandwagoning is that smaller states are still vulnerable to stronger states even the ally the smaller state bandwagons with are capable of betraying their weaker ally Alliances Neo Realists see alliances as positive as long as they are beneficial to the state However alliances should not be overly relied upon Balancing is the expected behavior of states found in alliances It tends to decrease the propensity for war Equilibrium of power means an equilibrium of strength an effective deterrent against other states Polarity Uni Polarity Hegemonic Stability Theory Believe that one dominant global power ensures global peace A strong unrivaled power will keep smaller states in check Bi Polarity Belief that two strong states with equal global power will keep smaller states from conflicting E G Global war Multi Polarity Belief that a multiple amount of stronger states will deter conflict across the globe Realists claim that states will always look at each other with distrust and suspicion Cooperation between states is problematic because it has to be attempted under the conditions of anarchy There is no higher power to force a state to cooperate Security Dilemma Game Theory Flaw of cooperation it is NOT guaranteed to work Realists do not trust international organizations mainly because of the prisoner dilemma who will gain more Who has the authority to say who should receive or lose more or less Realism Continued I WW1 A Germany and the Security Dilemma B Balance of Power and Reasons for its Demise 1 Power Transition 2 Russia and Preventative War II Interwar to WW2 A Balance of Power B League of Nations Japan Manchukuo and Italy C Appeasement D Nazi Germany as a Revisionist State Mearsheimer s Viewpoint III The Cold War Erupts A Division of Post War Europe East Central Europe Soviet Satellites Marshall Plan NATO 1949 Warsaw Pact 1955 Bi Polar World Balance of Power Prelude to WW1 The German states fully unified in 1871 creating the German Empire This was the first Security Dilemma on the road to WW1 The new German Empire was ruled by Otto von Bismarck Germany was becoming the dominant industrial economic and military power by the close of the 19th century The Western European powers France Great Britain feared the new German empire and employed two strategies to insure their safety 1 Reduce the power of Germany they did this after ww1 2 Get the Germans on their side World War 1 Triple Alliance Italy Germany and Austria Hungary Triple Entente Great Britain France Russia With both of these alliances Europe achieved a state of equilibrium in terms of industrial economic and military power This equilibrium was crucial to Europe s security because it
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