Plan for Today: Understanding Classical Realism and Neorealism

1
Plan for TodayUnderstanding Classical Realism
and Neorealism

1. Introducing history and distinctive concepts of
   classical realism.
2. Introducing neorealist principles.

2
Classical or Traditional Realism

• Ancient roots Thucydides.
• Realist Athenians vs. utopian Melians.
• Strong always win over the weak.
• Lesson tragedy befalls those who rely on hope,
  justice, and supposed friends.

3
Classical or Traditional Realism

• Classical realism (20th Century).
• E.H. Carr The Twenty Years Crisis.
• Critique of liberal utopianism dominant after
  WWI.
• Response to failure of League of Nations and
  collective security.
• Creators of League if you believe in something
  enough, it will come true.

4
Classical or Traditional Realism

• E.H. Carr The Twenty Years Crisis (continued).
• In reality, nations selfish concerns dominate.
• Aggressive actions by states are fully rational
  and natural.

5
Classical or Traditional Realism

• E.H. Carr The Twenty Years Crisis (continued).
• Need to analyze politics objectively as it is,
  not as it should be.
• Clash among national interests inevitable.
• Only way to minimize war is balance of power
  among states.

6
Classical or Traditional Realism

• Hans Morgenthau Politics Among Nations (1948).
• First attempt at realist textbook.
• Trying to create science of international
  politics.
• Level of analysis More emphasis on human nature
  than structure of system itself.

7
Classical or Traditional Realism

• Morgenthaus 6 principles of political realism
• Politics governed by objective laws with roots in
  human nature.
• Interest defined as power.
• Forms of state power will vary with time and
  place, but interest defined as power will remain
  constant.

8
Classical or Traditional Realism

• Morgenthaus 6 principles of political realism
• Political action has moral consequences, but
  morality cannot guide action.
• There is no universally agreed set of moral
  principles.
• Political sphere is autonomous from legal, moral,
  or economic spheres. Politics deals with power.

9
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.

10
Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• To explain international system, must create
  system-level theory.
• Units of system (states) functionally similar.
• International politics different from domestic
  politics.

11
Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Anarchy central defining aspect of system.
  Consequences
• Self-help cannot rely on others.
• Uncertainty attack always possible.
• Anarchic system ? drive for power to attain
  security.

12
Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Consequences of anarchy lead to
• Drive for power to attain security.
• No assumptions about human nature necessary.
• States behaving similarly under similar
  constraints.

13
Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Search for power has limits states really seek
  security.
• Excessive power grab can prompt security dilemma.

14
Neorealism Waltz, Theory of International
Politics (1979)

• Principles of neorealism
• Alliance behaviour
• States will always balance rather than bandwagon
  in alliances.
• Bipolar systems more stable than multipolar
  systems.