A Variant of Realism: NeoRealism and Kenneth Waltz

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A Variant of RealismNeo-Realism and
Kenneth Waltz

• A. Variant of Realism, a systemic theory.
• B. Assumptions Three Dimensions of All Systems
• 1- Anarchy, not hierarchy
• fixed
• 2- Units Differentiation
• fixed
• 3- Distribution of Capability Between Units
• not fixed
• C. Polarity
• (See Figure on next slide)

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DEFINING POLARITY
UNIPOLAR WORLD
BIPOLAR WORLD
MULTIPOLAR WORLD
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NEO-REALISM HYPOTHESIS 1
HYPOTHESIS 1 IF A STATE IS THREATENED, THEN IT
IS MORE LIKELY THAT IT WILL BALANCE AGAINST THE
THREAT.
H1 THREAT---()--gtBALANCING Positive
relationship
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BALANCE OF POWERTHE BILLIARD BALL EXAMPLE
Rise of Threat From Most Powerful State In
Multipolar System
Balancing Behavior (Links Indicate Alliance Tie)
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NEO-REALISM HYPOTHESES 2 3
HYPOTHESIS 2 IF THE SYSTEM IS MULTIPOLAR,
THEN CONFLICT WILL BE MORE LIKELY.
H2 MULTIPOLARITY--()--gt PROBABILITY OF
WAR Positive relationship
HYPOTHESIS 3 IF THE SYSTEM IS BIPOLAR,
THEN CONFLICT WILL BE LESS LIKELY.
H3 BIPOLARITY--(-)--gtPROBABILITY OF
WAR Negative relationship
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FINAL POINTS ON WALTZs NEOREALISM
1. Waltzian world is less conflict-prone than
the Classical realist world. 2. Waltz believes
all the action is at the systemic level.
ONLY THROUGH SOME SORT OF SYSTEMS THEORY CAN
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS BE UNDERSTOOD. KENNETH
WALTZ