REALISM:BASIC PRINCIPLES

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REALISMBASIC PRINCIPLES

• States are the principal actors
• While other actors are present the primary
  influencers on the system are states
• States are unitary and rational
• States act in their best interest and can be
  perceived as single entities
• The International system is anarchic
• There exists no systemic power to safeguard the
  state ö self help
• State interest is defined as the expansion and
  maintenance of state power
• Self help requires power maximization
• The Security Dilemma
• Improvement in security for one weakens the
  security of others
• International Politics is amoral (not immoral)
• Morality for the state cannot be equated with
  individual morality
• There is no universal yardstick of morality

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Hans Morganthau (1947) Politics Among Nations

• Politics is governed by objective, knowable laws
• Key focus is on state interest as defined as
  power
• Forms of power may change but that states have an
  interest and use power to pursue it does not
• However power is defined, states will always seek
  to maximize it
• Prudent behavior based on rational calculations
  of the consequences of actions
• No universally agreed set of moral principles
  thus morality can never be central point of
  political behavior
• Politics is different from every other sphere of
  study because of its emphasis on the state and
  power

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Kenneth Waltz (1979) Theory of International
Politics

• Concentrates the study on the systemic level
  Neo-Realism
• Study is concentrated on how the system is
  structured polarity is principal driving force
• Differentiates the study of international
  politics from the study of foreign policy

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Definitions of Power

• Robert DahlPower is the ability to get someone
  to do something they would not have otherwise
  done
• Karl Deutsch Power has
• Weight degree to which an outcome can be changed
  
• Scope set of issues that can be affected
• Domain what actors can be influenced
• Range difference between greatest reward and
  greatest punishment

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• Sources of Power
• Military power
• Population
• Economic Power
• Geographical Location
• Diplomatic Skill
• History and Culture

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• Problems
• These are not absolute measures
• The concept is ambiguous
• How does one know when power has been used?
• Is the key issue material power or the more
  perceptual threat? Powerful states,
  particularly democratic state or close trading
  partners, may pose little threat

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Women as Proportion of US Military (FY2001)

• Recruits
• Active duty 18
• Reserve 25
• All forces
• Active duty 15
• Reserve 17
• National Guard 14
• Source Population Representation in the
  Military Services, FY2001. USDOD

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Balance of Power Equality
States or alliances approximately equal in
powerExample NATO/WTO in Cold War
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Balance of PowerHegemony/Preponderance
One state or alliance has clear advantage in
powerExample Any hegemon (USA, UK, Rome, China)
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Balance of PowerBalancer
one state shifts alliances so that no single
state or alliance hasguaranteed
advantageExample UK in 19th century Europe
(archetype) Tripolar USA-USSR-PRC system
1970-1990?
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Balance of Power Collective Security
all states agree to ally against any aggressor
stateExample UN coalition against Iraq in 1991
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