Plan for Today: Understanding Classical Realism and Neorealism Introducing history and distinctive concepts of classical realism. Introducing neorealist principles.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Classical or Traditional Realism Morgenthau’s 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.

Classical or Traditional Realism Morgenthau’s 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.

Conclusion: What principles do classical realists share? Must look at world as it is, not as it ought to be. Interest of states and leaders is power. Ambition for power comes more from human nature than structure of system. Moral claims or arguments about justice have no place in foreign policy. These principles are permanent aspects of international politics.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.