Front | Back |
Major Realism Assumptions
|
1. International system is anarchic
2. Key Unit of analysis is the state 3. States are rational actors 4. Security is the most important issue for states |
What is the most important issue for states in the realist view?
|
Security
|
Power, according to realists is
|
Commonly understood as capabilities relative to another
ex. military expenditures, technology, GDP, size of population |
Balance of Power
|
A rough equilibrium of power among states
|
Thucydides
|
First writer in realist tradition and founder of IR
|
Machiavellivi
|
Survival of the state is paramount. Do the ends justify the means? Is it better to be feared than loved?
|
Hobbes
|
Pessimistic view of human nature. Advocated strong central authority to maintain order. In the state of nature, there is a "war of all against all"
|
Grotius
|
Called for the creation of international laws and norms to bind states together in peaceful interactions
|
Clausewitz
|
Prussian General during Napoleonic wars. Famous quote, "war is a continuation of politics by other means"
|
Carr
|
Critique of Utopian or idealist thought. however, her argued that pure realism was intolerable
|
Morgenthau
|
Best known for his Six Principles of Realism
|
Six Principles of Realism
Rule 1 |
1. Politics like society is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature
|
Rule 2
|
In IR, interests are defined in terms of power
|
Rule 3
|
Interest defined as power is to fixed in meaning, but depends on political/cultural context
|
Rule 4
|
There is tension between moral commands and successful political action
|