Realism

Question 1

What is the Melian Dialogue (416 BC)?

Answer 1

• established ally: Sparta
• rising ally: Athens
• middle: Melios
• rising power Athens = fear in Sparta
• conflict spiral into Peloponnesian war
• Thucydides trap (Allison)

Question 2

Some key realist thinkers

Answer 2

Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Morgenthau, Herz, Waltz

Question 3

realism vs. real politik

Answer 3

real politik (raison d'etat): every mean to ensure security
theory vs. prescription

Question 4

3 core realism assumptions

Answer 4

1. statism
2. survival
3. self-help

Question 5

What is statism in realism

Answer 5

state in main, unitary, rational actor

Question 6

What is survival in realism

Answer 6

• concern: its own security (Machiavelli)
• national interests
• only duty: maintaining itself

Question 7

What is self-help in realism

Answer 7

• insecure environment
• constant struggle for power (Hobbes)
• anarchy shapes state behaviour (insecurity, suspicion, fear…) (Hobbes)

Question 8

3 types of realism:

Answer 8

1. classical realism
2. neorealism (structural realism)
3. neoclassical realism

Question 9

Classical realism

Answer 9

• Carr, Morgenthau
• human nature (selfishness, power lust) -> state behaviour
• competition/conflict inherent
• struggle for power

Question 10

Neorealism (structural realism)

Answer 10

• 1979…
• Waltz
• structure of international system -> state behaviour
  - all units behave similarly
  - relative power (vs. absolute)
  - security competition
  - distribution of power

Question 11

Neorealism disagreements

Answer 11

• disagreements: defensive vs. offensive

- security maximisers (Waltz) vs. power maximisers (Mearsheimer)

Question 12

Neoclassical realism

Answer 12

• criticism of neorealism -> couldn’t explain SU fall
• units don’t always act similarly
• perception of elites (leaders) matter
• mismatch between objectives and state power

Question 13

Balance of Power

Answer 13

• ensure equilibrium of power
• internal vs. external balancing
• alternative: bandwagoning
  e. g. 19th century Europe, cold war

Question 14

Security dilemna

Answer 14

Herz

• combination of anarchy, self-help, suspicion
• mistrust
• impossible to distinguish between defensive and offensive
• spiraling into possible conflict
  e. g. WW1 arms race and alliances, India and Pakistan, NATO expansion (SU)

Question 15

Realism limitations:

Answer 15

-not all agree on the national interest and appropriate foreign foreign policy (e.g. defensive or offensive strategies - Iraq 2003)
Iraq better explained by other non-material factors?