REALISM

Political Realism in International Relations

By Maya Aslam (BSc Politics and IR)

Synopsis
◦ Brief Overview,
◦ Section 1: Foundation,
◦ Key Theorists;
◦ Historical Background (Link to IR);
◦ Clip;
◦ Key Concepts and Assumptions.
◦ Section 2: Branches of Realism,
◦ Classical Realism;
◦ Structural Realism;
◦ Other types of Realism.
◦ Section 3: Analysis,
◦ Connecting Theory to Reality: Applications in the Real World (Link to IR);
◦ Formal Critique.
◦ Conclusion,
◦ Citations.
What is Realism?
◦ Definition,
◦ Overview of Some Key Elements,
◦ Human nature;
◦ Role of State;
◦ State Survival;
◦ Anarchy;
◦ 2 Branches of Realism;
◦ Classical Realism
◦ Structural Realism
FOUNDATION
Section 1 : Critical Foundation of Realism
“Simply put, the most powerful state is
the one that prevails in a dispute.”
- John Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)
The Pillars of Realism
There are 3 key fundamental ideas that all Realists agree with:

1. Statism
2. Survival
3. Self-help
1. Statism
Key components:

◦ State as a main actor

◦ Sovereignty
◦ Anarchy
◦ Coexistence
◦ Power

Right: illustrates states as

main “actors”, as they act
as puppeteers for their own
destiny.
2. Survival
Key components:

◦ Survival as a pre-condition
◦ Henry Kissinger
◦ Ethic of Responsibility
◦ Community beyond borders?
3. Self-help
Key components:

◦ No other state can guarantee your survival

◦ Security Dilemma
◦ Relative Gain

Above: Political Cartoon about the arms race in the Cold War.
Theory in
Action

In this video, Professor Randall

Schweller tells us about Realism
and the role of power in
international relations.
Key Theorists
◦ Thucydides, “History of the Peloponnesian War”
◦ Machiavelli, “The Prince”
◦ Hobbes, “The Leviathan”
◦ Carr, “The Twenty Years’ Crisis, 1919-1939”
◦ Neibuhr, “Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study of Ethics and Politics”
◦ Morgenthau, “The Struggle for Power and Peace”
◦ Waltz, “Theory of International Politics”
6 Principles of Political Realism
1. Politics is governed by Objective Laws which have roots in Human Nature.
2. National Interest defined in terms of National Power.
3. Interest is always Dynamic.
4. Abstract Moral Principles cannot be applied to Politics.
5. Difference between Moral Aspiration of a nation and Universal Moral Laws.
6. Autonomy of the “Political”.

Hans J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, Fifth Edition, Revised, (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1978, pp. 4-15
Historical Background (Link to IR)

◦ Second World War

◦ Split of the Grand Alliance;
◦ Threat of Nazi Germany.

◦ Cold War

Right: A political cartoon

describing public
ignorance in the US.

Source: Dr. Seuss

Theory in
Action

In this video, Professor Randall

Schweller tells us about Realism
and it’s link to International
Relations by comparing it with
another school of thought,
Liberalism, in terms of it’s
historical background..
BRANCHES
OF REALISM
Section 2: The Many Forms of Realism
Classical Realism
◦ Definition,
◦ Thinkers Associated with this School:
◦ Thucydides;
◦ Machiavelli;
◦ Hobbes.
◦ Key Concepts:
◦ Order;
◦ Human Nature.
Structural Realism
◦ Definition,
◦ Thinkers Associated with this School:
◦ Waltz;
◦ Mearsheimer.
◦ Key Concepts:
◦ Anarchic Structure of International System;
◦ Distribution of Power;
◦ Self help and the Security Dilemma;

Left: Illustration about the

stark difference between
idealism and realism.
Other Types of Realism
1. Liberal Realism,
2. Neoclassical Realism,
3. Left Realism,
4. Realist Constructivism.
ANALYSIS
Section 3: Analysis and Conclusion
Applications in the Real World
◦ US Policy of Containment
◦ Liberal Institutionalism
◦ National Security
◦ Dual Moral Standards

◦ USA and Bhutan

◦ Power
◦ Balance of Power
◦ Alliances

Above: Cold War political cartoon.

Critique of Realism
◦ Definition and Measure of Power
◦ Statism, Survival & Self Help
◦ Motives Matter
◦ Survival of Nations
◦ Relationships amongst nations
◦ War
Conclusion.
Citations
◦ https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/morg6.htm
◦ https://www.princeton.edu/~amoravcs/library/anybody.pdf
◦ http://bmcsr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/The-International-Relations-theories-its-strengths-
weaknesses.pdf
◦ http://www.iep.utm.edu/polreal/
◦ BSO
◦ Study Guide + Lecture Notes

◦ Media:
◦ https://calisphere.org/crop/999x999/0c7951eaf2251821c174c49dd38b0d96
◦ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnKEFSVAiNQ
◦ http://politik-ekonomi.com/images/ide%20vs%20real.png
◦ https://hist110section1group4.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/screen-shot-2015-03-18-at-2-49-38-pm.png