1 Understanding Global Politics Lecture 3: Classical Realism

2 What is realist about realism? Avoids the ‘ hopeless utopianism ’ of idealism Avoids the ‘ hopeless utopianism ’ of idealism Based on empirical analysis of the human condition and the way the world works Based on empirical analysis of the human condition and the way the world works Some aspects of behaviour are universal and eternal. Some aspects of behaviour are universal and eternal.

3 Sun Tzu The Art of War (written The Art of War (written in the 6th century BC) One of the oldest and most One of the oldest and most successful books on military strategy in the world National interests should be National interests should be the top priority There is no place for ethics in There is no place for ethics in inter-state relations Statesmen who pay too much Statesmen who pay too much attention to ethical principles would do so at their peril

4 Thucydides ( B.C.) The first Western writer in the realist tradition. The first Western writer in the realist tradition. The Peloponnesian War (between Athens and Sparta in the fifth century B.C.). The Peloponnesian War (between Athens and Sparta in the fifth century B.C.). A study of the struggle for military and political power. A study of the struggle for military and political power. The cause of the War—fear, a dominant characteristic and a motivating factor for arms races and war itself. The cause of the War—fear, a dominant characteristic and a motivating factor for arms races and war itself.

5 Niccolò Machiavelli ( ) The Prince The Prince Power, balance of power, formation of alliances, and causes of conflicts Power, balance of power, formation of alliances, and causes of conflicts The end—security of the state—is understood to justify any means necessary to achieve the end The end—security of the state—is understood to justify any means necessary to achieve the end The world as it is, not the world as it should be—ethics and politics are separated The world as it is, not the world as it should be—ethics and politics are separated

6 Thomas Hobbes ( ) The Leviathan (1660) The Leviathan (1660) /texts/hobbes/leviathan- contents.html /texts/hobbes/leviathan- contents.html

7 Hobbes and his ideas A creature of his time: Concerned with nature of political power, basis of order, and origin of state. A creature of his time: Concerned with nature of political power, basis of order, and origin of state. ‘State of nature’ which was ‘nasty, brutish and short’ ‘State of nature’ which was ‘nasty, brutish and short’ Mutual vulnerability and self- preservation mean setting up of sovereign body. Mutual vulnerability and self- preservation mean setting up of sovereign body. But only in domestic context: an international Leviathan is impossible. But only in domestic context: an international Leviathan is impossible.

8 E.H. Carr The Twenty Years’ Crisis (1939) The Twenty Years’ Crisis (1939) Events of 1930s demonstrate Events of 1930s demonstrate fragility of international institutions and the underlying struggle for power.

9 Main assumptions Sovereign states are key actors— unitary and rational Sovereign states are key actors— unitary and rational States are motivated by self-interest (drive for power and survival) States are motivated by self-interest (drive for power and survival) Main problem = anarchy (lack of central sovereign authority to regulate state relations) Main problem = anarchy (lack of central sovereign authority to regulate state relations) Therefore, conflict is an ever-present reality of international relations. Therefore, conflict is an ever-present reality of international relations.

10 Therefore … The history of global relations is a struggle for power: ‘ every state for itself ’. The history of global relations is a struggle for power: ‘ every state for itself ’. This means leaders have little freedom to organise the world and solve its problems. This means leaders have little freedom to organise the world and solve its problems. Respect for law is only achieved if it is reinforced by the threat of force. Respect for law is only achieved if it is reinforced by the threat of force. Conflict is inevitable, so must be strong in face of aggression; preparation for war is the main concern of states. Conflict is inevitable, so must be strong in face of aggression; preparation for war is the main concern of states.

11 Classical Realism … is an attempt to understand the world from the point of view of statesman/diplomat forced to operate in dangerous and uncertain world. … is an attempt to understand the world from the point of view of statesman/diplomat forced to operate in dangerous and uncertain world. … provides a guide to action based on realpolitik (power and power politics among states) in the interests of the preservation of nation-states.

12 Criticisms Too simple Too simple Fails to allow for possibility of change Fails to allow for possibility of change Centrality of state Centrality of state No room for co-operation No room for co-operation Rationality Rationality