International Relation

Theories Of International Relation

Realism:

Realism “a Paradigm based on the premise that world politics is essentially and unchangeable a struggle among self-intersected states for power under anarchy with each competing states pursuing their own National Interest. (Kegley & Wittkopf).

The Core of Classical Realist Theory in Best Summarizes in 10 Assumptions.

i. People are by nature narrowly selfish and ethically flawed.

ii. Of all people’s evil ways, none are more prevalent or dangerous than their incentive lust for power and their desire to dominate others.

iii. The probability of eradicating these incentive is a Utopian “pipe-dream”.

iv. International Politics is about struggle to get power, “A war of all against all”.

v. The primary object of all states is to which all other objectives are subordinated is “to promoted its National Interest”.

vi. The anarchical nature of International system dictates that States acquire sufficient military capabilities o deter Potential enemies and to exercise influence over others.

vii. Economics is less relevant to national security then is military might.

viii. Allies must increase the defending capabilities but their Loyalty and reliability should never be assumed.

ix. State should never entrust the task of self-protection on International security or International Law.

x. If all states seeks to maximize the power, stability will be achieve by maintaining the balance of Power.

A new IR theory: Realism

ü Realism as a theory in International relation began as a critique of Liberalism.

ü As the shortcoming of Liberal become too obvious, many thinker looked for a new approach to explain contemporary events.

ü Like the liberals, Realist drew heavily on political ideas of older from political theory and elsewhere.

The Journey Towards Realism:

Ø Niebuhr (Moral Man Immoral Society, 1932) criticism on liberal assumption on good nature of Human.

Ø E.H Carr (The Twenty Year crisis, 1939) criticized on liberal believe ‘Utopian’. He claimed that liberal deals with the world as they want it to be, Realist deals with the world as it is.

Ø Carr claimed that conflicts are inevitable because of scarcity of resources- Only who posses resources promote “Law and Order”.

Morgenthau and classical realism:

ü After World War !!, Hans J Morgenthau produced the standard of Classical Realism (Politics among Nation; the struggle of power and peace, 1948).

ü Morgenthau’s work dominated IR theory for whole generation.

ü Morgenthau used ideas from older Political thinkers - Thucydides and Machiavelli - to support his own idea.

Morgenthau Realism:

Morgenthau realism has three main principles;

Ø Statism: State is the most important actor in realism, other are less important.

Ø Survival: In a danger world (danger because of human nature), states have to concentrate on survival.

Ø Self-help: No other state an be counted on to ensure survival.

Classical realism and the past:

ü Classical realist used old ideas to support their concepts.

ü In ancient Greece Thucydides account of the Milan dialog stressed the importance of power and the danger of being week: “The strong do what they have Power to do and Week accept what they have to accept”.

ü Classical realist also recalled the idea of Niccolo Machiavelli, author of the Prince(written in 1513).

ü Machiavelli stressed on two ideas for a wise ruler;

ü Politics is more important than principles.

ü The end justifies the means.

WALTZ and Structural Realism:

Ø Kenneth Waltz has dominated IR theory since 1979.

Ø His Theory of International Politics claimed that International Politics - Not human nature - made states act the way they do.

Ø He proposed “ Defensive Realism” that states should maximize their security.

Ø Waltz aim was to develop proper scientific basis for Realism.

Later Strands for Realism:

Ø John Mearsheimer (2001): “Offensive Realism” All states should maximize their power as the best path of peace.

Ø Randall Schweller (1996): “Neoclassical Realism” Not all states have similar interests - can be ‘status quo’ states or revisionist state.

Ø Fareed Zakariya (1998): Not all states are ‘like unit’ - some are better at translating national power into state power.

Problems with Realism:

v Are states the main actor? Are globalization and Interdependence changing this?

v Do states act only out of self - interest?

v Do realism preclude co-operation between states and other actors?

v Are all form of International action about maximizing power?

v Is this a conversational theory that would not all changes to make the world a better place? Is it unethical?

Realism:

Focus:-

Power relationship between states.

Main Points:-

1) Statism; State are the only main actor (sovereignty Is important).

2) Survival; The world in anarchical ( No power is greater than states) and dangerous, so states must pursue self - interest to survive ( as survival is their priority).

3) Self - help; In this dangerous world, states cannot count on others for guaranty their survival.