Classical REALISM

Realism

Theory of realism that became dominant after the end of the second world war is often claimed to rest on older, classical thought that starts with Thucydides (460406 AC) Realism defined itself against idealism. The perscriptions it offered were particularly well suited to the US rise to become the global hegemon.
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Human nature:
Human

nature is egoistic, and inclined toward evil; aspire for power. Thus, conflict among people is inevitable. Within states human nature is tamed by hieararchical political structure of authority and rule. Yet, in international relations anarchy prevails.
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International Anarchy:

There is a sharp distinction between domestic and international politics; basic structure of international politics is anarchy (no central authority above states); but there is hieararchical structure in domestic politics. States cannot trust other states, but need to acquire,maintain, demostrate and exercise power. States can sacrifice their international obligations based on their own self-interest; States defend their interests by frequently immoral means
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Doctrine of raison detat:

International relations is conflictual and threatening States are primary actors, all other actors are less important The survival of state can never be guaranteed, because the use of force is a legitimate instrument States must pursue power and statesman must calculate rational steps to survive in hostile environment
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National interest and morality:

International relations: struggle among great powers for domination and security (state of war) Main values: national security and state survival States guarantee security, welfare, national interest All states must pursue their own national interest; there is a belief in primacy of selfinterest over moral principals; human morality is confined to the state does not extend to international relations.
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Power and politics:

First priority for state leaders is to ensure state survival. Under anarchy, state survival cannot be guranteed. States with power have better chance for surviving. Power is crucial and defined in military strategic terms. There can be no progressive change in world politics: basic facts of world politics never change
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Other assumptions

War and intervention are treated by realists as honorable instruments of statecraft. They see war and intervention as high politics. About the low political issue such as human rights they are skeptical. Also, they argue that international economic order would threaten the order based on power and self-help and would lead to disorder.

Classical realism
Classical

realism begins with Thucydides representation of power politics as a law of human behavior. Reduction of Realism to a condition of human nature: The derive for power and the will to dominante are held to be fundamental aspects of human nature. The behaviour of state as a self-seeking egoist is understood to be merely a reflection of the characteristics of the people. 9

Contributers to realist perspective on international relations:

Thucydides

Machiavelli
Hobbes Spinoza

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THUCYDIDES: Peleponnesian
War (431-404 BC)

written on a conflict between Athens and Sparta: War was inevitable, because of the rise of Athenian power, which feared Spartans about a shift in balance of power. Spartas national interest was survival and changing distribution of power represented a threat to its existence. Thus Sparta was compelled to go to war. Spartans felt guilty, because they violated the treaty by starting war. They were unaware that moral principles cannot hold; treaties are not binding outside common interests they reflect, and as conditions change they simply loose their relevance.
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Peleponnesian War
Athenians

argue that all states were derived to expand their power. The Athienan motives were self-interest and honor. Honor, as the Athenians use it, seems to give imperialism a noble character. The fact that Athenians act based on their power and for self-interest is clearly observed in Melian Dialogue.
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The Melian dialogue

is between Athenian leaders who arrived on the island of Melos to assert their right of conquest over the islanders and response of Melians (ally of Spartans). Melians should realize that there is unequal power distribution among Greek city states. Strong dominates the weak. Melians should submit to Athens without resistance, thus minimize suffering, otherwise may be destroyed.
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Machiavelli (1469-1527)
Theory of survival: World is dangerous and oppurtunistic Supreme value is national independence and survival Rulers defend interests of state and ensure its survival: that requires strenght (power); ruler must be lion; ruler must be also ruthless and deceptive (fox); ruler must not operate with rules of Christian ethics
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The Prince:

A book designed for Italian princes. The realist political thinking, in which secular sense of statecraft are distinguished from religious ethics. He argued that Christian moral principles were harmful for state leaders. International politics requires different moral principles than in domestic politics. Prince must be prepared to break their premises if its is in their interests and conquer neighbouring states before they attack them. Unless security is achieved, Machiavelli claims, the pursuit of all other goals is pointless.
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Machiavelli

endorses imperialism. He praises the ancient Romans for pursuing a policy of universal imperialism. In Machievellis view their imperial policy was justified, because they have conquered neighbors who may threaten their security. Thus, Romans conquered the world out of self-defense. They reacted rationally to a hostile environment. Due to foreign threats Romans could not act with moral principles. Moral rules cannot be applied to international politics; moral action leads to failure. This outlook help to explain why preemptive attack is justified. 16

Machiavellis realism
thus

attempts to overcome moral inhibitions in the pursuit of self-interest. But he does not say that prince or state to be always not good. Yet, to be moral and successful is dependent on luck. Furthermore, states can make treaties but can break its premises (independent from moral force) if it is in their interest.
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Hobbes (1588-1679): Leviathan

His principle concern was with the establishment of domestic authority (relationship between the ruler and ruled) His main contribution to realism was his discussion of the state of nature. He tells that there was natural condition (state of nature) prior to invention of nation state (after the peace agreement at Westphalia in 1648, the rise of independent state system was observed); it is a natural condition that there is no security for any human being.
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In Hobbess state of nature

People are roughly equal. Out of this equality comes the hope of attaining desired ends. But any two men desire the same thing, which they canot both enjoy, they become enemies. Hence conflict results. Man can escape from that natural conditions by creation of a sovereign state; it will protect them from internal disorders and foreign threats; man can be secure and at peace under sovereign state.
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From Leviathan
..during

the time that men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in a condition which is called war; and such a war, as is of every man, against every man.

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Image of state of nature

Has

been viewed as reflecting the international system. Just as in state of nature, the international system involves constant tension and possibility of conflict. There is anarchy (no central authority) in the international system.

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According to Hobbes
Achievement

of domestic security through creation of a state is accompanied by international security dilemma.

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International security dilemma

States arm themselves (military power) and defend themselves against foreign security threats They try to survive under international anarchy There cannot be permanent peace between sovereign states. War is necessary for resolving disputes States can also contract treaties (international law), but states will obey them if it is in their interests and security.
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Spinoza supplements Hobbess contributions to realist theory:

Spinoza states that, by nature, states have a right to whatever they have the power to obtain. States, like individuals, are naturally enemies. Spinoza admits that there can be alliances and treaties. But treaties and alliances derive their force from the mutual interests they serve; when circumstances change, parties may unilaterally disobey treaties. The state has obligations only to its subjects and advancement of their interests and will not obey disadvantageous aggreements.
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Classical Realism: Morgenthau (1904-1980)

Animus nominandi: the human lust for power; human are pursuing power, self-interest; they will be inconflict; the only way to escape is by creation of independent state: Politics is struggle for power Political ethics and private ethics are not same: There is no morality in international relations (different than private morality); political leaders have responsibility for security and welfare: spying, lying, cheating, stealing....
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Morgenthau: Politics Among Nations (1948)

1.

2.
3.

posited 6 principles of political realism: Politics, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature. n international politics realists emphasize interest defined in terms of power That interest defined in terms of power is an objective category that is universally valid (applicable to all states throughout the world)
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4. there is tension between the moral command and requirements of successful political action; universal moral principles must be filtered through the concrete circumstances of time and place. 5. political realism refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with the moral laws that govern the universe 6. interest defined as power is an understanding that gives international politics a separate standing from other fields of study.
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For classical and neo-classical realists

Power

and responsibility are inseparable concepts: Rulers seek for power and also it is their responsibility to pursue power The balance of power is a basic value: it is a legitimate goal and guides great powers Balance of power is desirable, because it prevents hegemonic world domination by any one great power
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The Idea of Balance of Power

BASIC

RULE: ally against any state threatening domination. If one state seemed to dictate too much, others would form an alliance and create balance to prevent hegemony of one state not to preserve peace but to preserve sovereignty and independence of states against potential aggressors.
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PURPOSE:

Balance of power
is

a doctrine and an arrangement whereby the power of one state (or group of states) is checked by the countervailing power of other states

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