1. Lecture 3: Realist Theory of IR

2. Summary of last class points
Three levels of causation: deep/system, intermediate/state, proximate/individuals
Applying levels to Peloponnesian War case
Two meanings of power: resources/influence

3. Outline Preparing for quizzes Prisoners Dilemma exercise - prepare
Case 1: Canvas Links: do readings, select cases, use chart
Takeaways for today’s class
Understanding causes of war (last class)
Understanding power (this class)
Structure for comparing theories – 6 tenets
Content of realism

4. Two meanings of power Control of resources: Influence over outcomes:
Tangible and intangible resources provide potential to wield influence
Influence over outcomes:
Ability of one nation to make another nation do things they would not otherwise do.

5. Two aspects of power Relational Situational "Power over whom?"
Whether state has power depends on comparison to another state
Situational
"Power to do what?“
Whether state has power depends on what “powerful” state wants “weak” state to do

6. Paradox of unrealized power
The paradox: sometimes powerful states are not powerful
States with lots of resources (1st sense) can …
fail to wield influence over others (2nd sense)
Usually, there is no paradox (21 of 30 wars won by country with larger military

7. Realism and its 6 tenets Focus Actors Goals Means Organizing Principle
Dynamics

8. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

9. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

10. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

11. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Military force is usable, effective, and fungible
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

12. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Military force is usable, effective, and fungible
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Anarchy and self-help
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?

13. Realism Institutionalism Disenfranchised
Focus – what is being explained?
Conflict
Actors – who are considered the main actors to watch?
States are primary and act as unitary rational actors
Goals – what are the goals of the main actors?
Survival, security, and hence, power
Means – what means do actors use to achieve their goals?
Military force is usable, effective, and fungible
Organizing Principles – how is the international system organized?
Anarchy and self-help
Dynamics – what does process of international relations look like?
Acquisition and balancing of power