1. International Political Relations
Jan Brzozowski, PhD
Department of European Studies

2. Theories of IR 1 Origins: 1st World War Idealism
Implications: Wilson Plan, LoN, appeasement
Criticizm of idealist approach: Hans Morgenthau and classical realism

3. XIX century: system known as Concert of Europe
1815: after Napoleonic War the Vienna Congres estabilishes new „rules of the game”
Concert of Europe: major conservative forces of Europe (Austria, Prussia, Russia and the United Kingdom), later joined by France
Goal: to maintain power, fight revolutionary forces and nationalism, and most important – to keep the balance of power

4. Balance of power
No place for political hegemony in the International Society
When one state becomes much stronger than the remaining ones – a defensive coalition has to be created
In 19th century Europe this rule worked quite well
Additionally: the conflicts between European powers moved outside of the continent (colonial rivalization)

5. Unification of Germany: shift in the balance of power
: Prussian-French war. Germans take Alsace-Lorraine and proclaim a united German Empire
Germany was late in the race for African and Asian colonies
UK domination in colonies
Yet, Germany experiences rapid industrialization and demograpphic boom ( number of population doubles)

6. 1st World War: main implications
1st trully global conflict
Monopolistic position of Europe in international system ends
Increased position of the US – but the Americans not ready to become world’s superpower
Nationalism and erosion of 2 regional powers: Ottoman Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire

7. Idealism
The true beginning of International Relations as the field of study
1st Department of International Politics was founded in 1919 at Aberystwyth University (Wales)
Main goal: maintenance of international justice and the preservation of peace
Development of the international law and of the League of Nations should lead to increased harmony in IR
Education, enlightement of masses, difusion of democracy and increased economic cooperation and international trade – contribute to more peacful co-existence

8. Wilson Plan – 14 points
Principles for peace presented by American President Woodrow Wilson to the US Congress in January 1918
14 Points turned to become „new rules of the game” of post-war world after the Versailles Treaty

9. Main points
Creation of the League of Nations („for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike”)
Principle of self-determination: a right of „autonomous development” for all nations of former Austro-Hungarian and Otoman empires
Promotion of free trade, removal of economic barriers in trade
Colonial issues: „adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable government whose title is to be determined”

10. League of Nations Result of Paris Peace Conference
Goals: maintaining world peace through a creation of the global collective security system + international disputes settlement through negotiations and arbitrage
Weaknesses: no real authority, as the LoN lacked own army and the main members were reluctant to provide their soldiers to enforce LoN resolutions. Most important – the US as the main proponent never joined the organization.
Sanctions often ignored by the members

11. The discreditarion of LoN: Abyssinia Crisis
Ethiopia was the only independent African state (together with Liberia), free from Western influence
October 1935: Benito Mussolini orders an invasion of Ethiopia. During the conflict, chemical weapons were used and the medical facilities have been bombed
LoN imposed partial sanctions on Italy, but they were innefective
December 1935: British and French diplomates try a secret deal with Mussolini (partition of Abyssynia) - failed

12. Appeasement: trying to avoid war at all cost
Diplomatic policy of concessions made to enemy power, in order to avoid military conflict
Directly atributed to British PM Neville Chamberlain and French PM Édouard Daladier twoards Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini

13. Munich Agreement 30 September 1938
Conference participants: Germany, France, UK and Italy. Czechoslovakia was not invited.
British and French allowed Germany to annexate Sudetenland.

14. „How horrible, fantastic, incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas masks here because of a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing” (Chamberlain – 27/09/1938)
„My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep” (30/09/1938)

15. Criticizm of idealist approach by Hans Morgenthau:
Ignoring the importance of power in IR
Overestimation and over-optimistic assumption on the rationality of human beings
Over-optimistic assumptions on the common interests of nation states
Avoiding conflicts - not a priority for contemporary societies

16. Political realism (H. Morgenthau)
Politics is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature.
Political realism requires a sharp distinction between what is desirable everywhere and at all times and what is possible under concrete circumstances of time and place.
The nation state is the ultimate point of reference of contemporary foreign policy.
The idea of interest is the essence of politics and is unaffected by the circumstances of time and place.

17. Classical realism (1) Nation state as the most important actor
Nation states guided by egoistic motives
Raison d’etat – fundamental principle of international conduct. The statesman has in first place preserve the health and strenght of the State, which operates in chaotic and hostile environment

18. Classical realism (2)
International community – ccharacterized by anarchy, no superior force exists that coud bring order to the system
(Military) conflict – natural and unavoidable process of settling disputes over scarce resources
Dual moral standards: one for citizens libing inside the state, and the other for the state in external relations with other states
State itself represents a moral force: the goal of the politician is to preserve the life of the state, thus leaders can act in manners which are unnaceptable to individuals