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Realism

Realism. Assumptions. States: unitary, rational actors -Treaty of Westphalia (1648) Anarchy: no central government Survival: primary objective Pursuit of power . Implications for State Behavior . Security top concern Security dilemma Maximize absolute and relative power

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Realism

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  1. Realism

  2. Assumptions • States: unitary, rational actors -Treaty of Westphalia (1648) • Anarchy: no central government • Survival: primary objective • Pursuit of power

  3. Implications for State Behavior • Security top concern • Security dilemma • Maximize absolute and relative power • Balance rather than bandwagon • Cooperation rare

  4. Balancing Power • Internally • Increase relative capabilities • Externally • Enter into alliances

  5. System Dynamics • Focus on great powers • Balance of power: stability • Change in resources -> turbulence in the system • Rules made by and for strong states

  6. Classical Realism • Aristotle: The Peloponnesian War Hans Morgenthau: Politics Among Nations (1948) • Assumptions based on analogy with human nature • Humans inherently seek power and domination • “First image” theory

  7. Structural Realism • Kenneth Waltz: Man, State and War (1954) Theory of International Politics (1979) John Mearsheimer “The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001) • Assumptions follow from the structure of the international system • Third image theory

  8. Policy Implications of Realism • Domestic politics irrelevant • Universal rights and norms not applicable to the international realm • “High” vs. “Low” politics • Get involved in low politics only in ways that advance high politics

  9. Analytical Advantages • Parsimonious: explains a lot with little • Captures key characteristics of the international system • Persistence of conflict vindicates theory • Emphasizes continuity

  10. Analytical Weakness • Accounts for continuity, but not very well for change • Better able to explain than predict • Cannot account for persistence of cooperation • Domestic politics matter increasingly • Self-fulfilling circular prophesy about the inevitability of great power war?

  11. The Peloponnesian War

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