1. Finishing classical realism. Neorealism. Other contemporary realism.
Topics Today: Realism
Finishing classical realism.
Neorealism.
Other contemporary realism.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)
Principles of neorealism:
Consequences of anarchy  drive for power to attain security.
No assumptions about human nature necessary.

9. Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)
Principles of neorealism:
Consequences of anarchy  states act similar under similar constraints.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Neorealism – Waltz, Theory of International Politics (1979)
Distinctive traits of Waltz’s methods:
Deductive.
Particular observations cannot ever lead to whole theories.
Level of analysis:
System-level only.
Only need to know power capabilities of states.

13. Other Contemporary Realism --
Robert Gilpin – War and Change in World Politics (1981)
Theory of cycle of hegemonic power.
Hegemon: single, powerful state that controls or dominates lesser states.
E.g. Roman Empire, British Empire, American hegemony (empire?).

14. Gilpin’s Hegemonic Cycle

15. Other Contemporary Realism
Robert Gilpin – War and Change in World Politics (1981)
More analysis of domestic processes of growth and decline than Waltz, in order to explain change.
This provides theory with greater scope and detail, but less definite predictions than Waltz’s strict neorealism.