Hobbes' Leviathan and Security Dilemma

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for the existence of a sovereign state according to Hobbes?

To increase the power of the ruler

To reduce the power of the people

To promote economic development and art

To maintain order and end anarchy (correct)

What is the concept that states that the achievement of personal security and domestic security leads to international insecurity?

Sovereignty

Anarchy

Balance of power

Security dilemma (correct)

According to Hobbes, why is it impossible to form a world government?

Because there is no higher authority over states to impose order (correct)

Because it would be too expensive

Because states are not willing to give up their sovereignty

Because a world government would be too bureaucratic

What is the concept that states that states will act in a balance of power logic due to survival concerns in anarchy?

Balance of power Signup and view all the answers

According to Hobbes, what is the relationship between morality and authority?

Where there is no common power, no law; where no law, no justice Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption of realism according to Hans Morgenthau?

Human beings are evil by nature Signup and view all the answers

What is the final political space within which security is ensured according to Hans Morgenthau?

The independent state Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that states that might is right, and that law or morality does not apply beyond a nation's boundaries?

Realism Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of a bipolar system, according to realist theory?

The power balance between the superpowers can be more accurately and reliably calculated Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern in a self-help system, according to realist theory?

Placing the security of one's own country in the hands of others Signup and view all the answers

What is the security dilemma, according to realist theory?

A situation where a state is uncertain about the intentions of its rival and assumes the worst Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the number of international actors and system stability, according to Kenneth Waltz?

The more actors, the less stable the system Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument made by Mearsheimer regarding the impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on Europe?

Europe will become more multipolar and unstable Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a hegemon in the international economy, according to hegemonic stability theory?

To invest the resources and bear the burdens associated with the operation of a liberal international economy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a bipolar system and a multipolar system, according to realist theory?

A bipolar system is more stable, while a multipolar system is more prone to conflicts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a state in a self-help system, according to realist theory?

To ensure the security of its own country Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of Kenneth Waltz and Stephen Walt's approach to international relations, according to Schweller?

They view the world solely through the eyes of satisfied status quo states. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of states in Offensive Realism, according to John Mearsheimer?

To become a regional hegemon. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of Realism, according to critics?

It is unable to account for international change. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of states' drive for power, according to Schweller?

The pursuit of aggressive, expansionist policies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Realism in relation to the dissolution of the Soviet Union?

It failed to account for the domestic factors that led to the collapse. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the security dilemma, according to Realism?

The drive for power and capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Realism in relation to its understanding of international relations?

It is deterministic and pessimistic. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of Realism's focus on the state, according to critics?

It ignores the role of non-state actors and other issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hobbes and the Security Dilemma

Human beings lived in a condition of war 'every one against every one' until a sovereign state (Leviathan) was established to maintain order and end anarchy.
The pursuit of personal security and domestic security through the creation of a state leads to international insecurity rooted in the anarchy of the state system, known as the security dilemma.

Hobbes and Morality

In an anarchic system, there is no fixed idea of good or bad, and morality does not apply beyond national boundaries.
Without a superior authority to legislate codes of conduct, no morality or justice can exist.

Hans Morgenthau

Hans Morgenthau is considered one of the "founding fathers" of the realist approach.
According to Morgenthau, human beings are evil by nature and pursue power for their own benefit.
The final political space within which security is ensured is the independent state; beyond the state, security is impossible.

Self-Help Situation

It is dangerous to place the security of one's own country in the hands of others.
The security dilemma arises even if a state is arming for defensive purposes, as it is rational to assume the worst in a self-help system.

Polarity and System Stability

Kenneth Waltz argues that uncertainty increases as the number of international actors increases, making multipolar systems less desirable.
Waltz also argues that bipolar systems are more stable due to the simplicity and predictability of relations between superpowers.

Hegemonic Stability Thesis

Neo-realism claims a central place in international political economy through the hegemonic stability theory.
According to Robert Gilpin and Stephen Krasner, a single state must be able and willing to invest resources and bear the burdens associated with maintaining a liberal international economy.

Offensive Realism

John Mearsheimer argues that states pursue aggressive, expansionist policies to accumulate as much power and capabilities as possible.
The objective is to become a regional, if not global, hegemon.

Criticisms against Realism

Realists are criticized for being deterministic and pessimistic, ignoring domestic factors such as economic and social processes that affect foreign behavior.
Realists failed to foresee the dissolution of the Soviet Union, focusing only on military aspects of power and ignoring social, political, and economic difficulties.
It is difficult for realists to understand change in the absence of war, and they often ignore non-state actors and issues.

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Description

This quiz covers the concepts of Hobbes' Leviathan, Security Dilemma, and the role of a sovereign state in maintaining order and ending anarchy.