REALISM

What does Realism generally argue about international politics?

Changes and shifts in relative material power among states cause international relations (war, trade, negotiation, cooperation).

What is a paradigm?

A set of practices that define a scientific discipline at any period; realism is a paradigm in IR.

In what 2 ways is Realism a paradigm?

A collection of strong theories with shared assumptions/variables. (2) The most accepted and critiqued tradition in IR (“top dog”).

What is the biggest problem in IR for Realists?

Uncertainty — states cannot fully know others’ intentions.

What are the main measures of power for Realists?

Material capabilities: military and economic.

What is Relative Power?

A state’s power measured compared to others in the system.

Who are key historical thinkers of Realism?

Thucydides (Peloponnesian War), Sun Tzu, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Bismarck, E.H. Carr, Hans Morgenthau.

What is the significance of Thucydides’ Melian Dialogue?

Demonstrates Realism’s emphasis on power and survival over morality

Who wrote The Twenty Years’ Crisis (1939)?

E.H. Carr — foundational realist work criticizing idealism

Who wrote Politics Among Nations (1948)?

Hans Morgenthau — first IR theory textbook; emphasized power politics.

What are the 3 core assumptions of Classical Realism?

States are rational actors. (2) States seek power. (3) Balance of power determines international politics.

How do Classical Realists view power?

Power is both an end (states lust for power) and a means (for survival).

What role does human nature play in Classical Realism?

Rooted in a belief that humans (and states) inherently lust for power → this aggregates to state behavior.

Example of Classical Realist texts?

Morgenthau’s Politics Among Nations, Carr’s Twenty Years’ Crisis.

Does Classical Realism allow unit-level (state/individual) causation?

Yes, individuals and diplomacy may matter, but systemic causes dominate.

Who is the founder of Neorealism?

Kenneth Waltz (Theory of International Politics, 1979).

What was Waltz’s earlier contribution before Neorealism?

Man, the State, and War → introduced levels of analysis.

What are the 3 core assumptions of Neorealism?

(1) States are rational unitary actors under anarchy.
(2) States seek security, not power.
(3) System is ordered by the distribution of material capabilities (balance of power).

How do Classical Realism and Neorealism differ?

Classical → states seek power (end).
Neorealism → states seek security (power is a means).

What is the independent variable for Neorealists?

Distribution of material capabilities (relative power in the system).

What are the three polarity systems in Neorealism?

Multipolarity, Bipolarity (Cold War), Unipolarity (post-Cold War).

Which polarity do Neorealists think is most stable?

Bipolarity (some argue unipolarity/hegemony may also be stable).

What analogy does Waltz use for Neorealism?

A microeconomic theory → states are like firms, system logic drives outcomes.

How do Neorealists view alliances?

Two main strategies: Balancing (against threats) or Bandwagoning (joining powerful states).

What is “Faux Realism”?

A pre-9/11 reinterpretation of Realism (e.g., “Axis of Evil” logic) criticized by Legro & Moravcsik for misusing Realist assumptions.

What is Realpolitik?

A Classical Realist approach: pragmatic power politics based on national interest and prudence.

What are 3 main problems with Realism?

(1) Static theory — snapshots, not long-term change.
(2) Poor at explaining systemic change (e.g., end of Cold War).
(3) Explains conflict well, but not cooperation.

What is the Security Dilemma?

Any increase in one state’s security makes others feel insecure → leads to arms races, spirals of tension.

What does Power Transition Theory argue?

Major war is most likely when a rising power threatens to overtake a dominant one in the system.

Why is Realism a “defection strategy” in Prisoner’s Dilemma?

States prioritize relative gains, uncertainty, and anarchy → prefer defection.

What motivates Realists in Prisoner’s Dilemma?

Relative gains matter more than absolute gains.

Why can’t Realists easily cooperate?

Anarchy + uncertainty → lack of trust.

What is the Nash equilibrium in Prisoner’s Dilemma?

Both defect (DD box) → worst collective outcome, but individually rational.

How does Realism differ from Idealism?

Realism focuses on power, uncertainty, and conflict; Idealism emphasizes cooperation and morality.

How does Liberalism critique Realism?

Realism fails to explain cooperation — Liberalism highlights interdependence, institutions, and international law.

Which theorists critique Realism with Liberal alternatives?

Keohane & Nye (Complex Interdependence).