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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of Realism in international relations?
What is the primary focus of Realism in international relations?
In the context of the Survival Game, what resource is essential for survival according to Classical realism?
In the context of the Survival Game, what resource is essential for survival according to Classical realism?
Which of the following best describes the core assumption of Realism regarding human nature?
Which of the following best describes the core assumption of Realism regarding human nature?
What was one of the criticisms of Idealism that led to the emergence of Realism?
What was one of the criticisms of Idealism that led to the emergence of Realism?
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Which of the following statements aligns with the Realist perspective on international governance?
Which of the following statements aligns with the Realist perspective on international governance?
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In the Survival Game, what do players have to do if they lose a duel?
In the Survival Game, what do players have to do if they lose a duel?
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What strategy is most aligned with achieving success in the Survival Game?
What strategy is most aligned with achieving success in the Survival Game?
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How does Realism view the possibility of achieving peace in the world?
How does Realism view the possibility of achieving peace in the world?
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What percentage of the USSR's population died during WWII?
What percentage of the USSR's population died during WWII?
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Which statement best aligns with Realist theory regarding international relations?
Which statement best aligns with Realist theory regarding international relations?
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What is a core assumption of Realist theory about state actors?
What is a core assumption of Realist theory about state actors?
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How do individuals act according to Realist theory?
How do individuals act according to Realist theory?
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What does the term 'permanent condition of international anarchy' signify in Realist theory?
What does the term 'permanent condition of international anarchy' signify in Realist theory?
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What significant event marked the first use of atomic bombs during WWII?
What significant event marked the first use of atomic bombs during WWII?
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Which of the following statements reflects a pessimistic view of human nature in Realist theory?
Which of the following statements reflects a pessimistic view of human nature in Realist theory?
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In the context of WWII casualties, which countries are noted for having a 4-6% death toll of their populations?
In the context of WWII casualties, which countries are noted for having a 4-6% death toll of their populations?
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What is the primary focus of international relations according to Realist theory?
What is the primary focus of international relations according to Realist theory?
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Which of the following describes the relationship between national interest and foreign policy in Realism?
Which of the following describes the relationship between national interest and foreign policy in Realism?
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How do states operate in light of international obligations according to Realist theory?
How do states operate in light of international obligations according to Realist theory?
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What is the goal of the balance of power in Realist theory?
What is the goal of the balance of power in Realist theory?
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What is a key characteristic of the state according to Realist theory?
What is a key characteristic of the state according to Realist theory?
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What view does Realism take regarding the possibility of perpetual peace?
What view does Realism take regarding the possibility of perpetual peace?
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What does Morgenthau suggest about the nature of humans in relation to power?
What does Morgenthau suggest about the nature of humans in relation to power?
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Who were some of the key thinkers that contributed to classical realism?
Who were some of the key thinkers that contributed to classical realism?
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According to Morgenthau, what is necessary for achieving security?
According to Morgenthau, what is necessary for achieving security?
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What is the primary concern of classical realists in international relations?
What is the primary concern of classical realists in international relations?
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What is one of Morgenthau's principles of political realism?
What is one of Morgenthau's principles of political realism?
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How do realists view the nature of international relations?
How do realists view the nature of international relations?
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What does Morgenthau mean by 'situational ethics'?
What does Morgenthau mean by 'situational ethics'?
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What criticism is directed towards realism regarding its view of human nature?
What criticism is directed towards realism regarding its view of human nature?
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What does Morgenthau state about the relationship between morality and state actions?
What does Morgenthau state about the relationship between morality and state actions?
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What aspect of realism has been criticized for its predictiveness?
What aspect of realism has been criticized for its predictiveness?
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What dual characteristics are essential for rulers according to The Prince?
What dual characteristics are essential for rulers according to The Prince?
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According to The Prince, what is the main responsibility of rulers?
According to The Prince, what is the main responsibility of rulers?
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What aspect of human nature is described in the realist theory?
What aspect of human nature is described in the realist theory?
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What is necessary for state leaders to prosper according to the realist approach?
What is necessary for state leaders to prosper according to the realist approach?
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What does the concept of the 'state of nature' imply?
What does the concept of the 'state of nature' imply?
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What theory did Thomas Hobbes outline in his book Leviathan?
What theory did Thomas Hobbes outline in his book Leviathan?
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How should rulers respond to opportunities according to the realist leader model?
How should rulers respond to opportunities according to the realist leader model?
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What role does deception play in the conduct of foreign policy according to The Prince?
What role does deception play in the conduct of foreign policy according to The Prince?
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What characterized the relationship between great powers and smaller powers in the context of realist theory?
What characterized the relationship between great powers and smaller powers in the context of realist theory?
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According to realist theory, how is the standard of justice defined?
According to realist theory, how is the standard of justice defined?
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What primary lesson can be learned from the Melian dialogue during the Peloponnesian War?
What primary lesson can be learned from the Melian dialogue during the Peloponnesian War?
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What role did Thucydides play in the development of realist theory?
What role did Thucydides play in the development of realist theory?
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What was a key aspect of Machiavelli's contributions to realist theory?
What was a key aspect of Machiavelli's contributions to realist theory?
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Which principle was NOT emphasized in the realist approach to international relations?
Which principle was NOT emphasized in the realist approach to international relations?
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What was the Athenian ultimatum to Melos during the Peloponnesian War?
What was the Athenian ultimatum to Melos during the Peloponnesian War?
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In realist theory, how should a powerful state relate to its superiors and inferiors?
In realist theory, how should a powerful state relate to its superiors and inferiors?
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Study Notes
International Relations: Realism
- Session 4, BSPOL1312, October 7th, 2024
- Focuses on the core political values of national security and state survival.
- Draws inspiration from ancient thinkers.
- Classical realists (Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes) share similar views, focusing on acquisition and use of power as central in political activity.
- International conflicts are seen as power politics.
The Survival Game
- The aim is to survive as long as possible. Players receive cards.
- Players must challenge each other in a "rock-paper-scissors" duel every minute.
- The number of rounds needed to win a duel depends on the number of cards held by the player.
- The winner takes all cards from the opponent.
- Players who arrive late are eliminated, and those who lose are removed from the game.
- According to classical realism, humans/States are greedy and offensive.
- Survival depends on material resources (e.g., cards, military expenditure).
- Winning strategies include: quickly gaining cards, forming alliances, and potentially cheating or hiding resources.
Realism: Basic Ideas and Assumptions
- Idealism vs. Realism: Idealism (utopian liberalism) has failed; realism emphasizes conflict.
- New theory is needed to explain war across time.
- Pessimistic viewpoint: Interdependence should be avoided, global peace is unlikely/unattainable, promoting democracy elsewhere rarely succeeds.
- States prioritize national security and survival.
- International politics is marked by conflict.
- Historical context: World War II figures (casualties, atomic bomb deaths) highlight the destructive potential of conflict.
Realism: Depictions of Individuals, States, and International Relations
- Individuals: Individuals act according to self-interest. They seek advantage and avoid domination. This is universal.
- States: States are not equal; power hierarchy exists. Great powers dominate international relations. National security and state survival are paramount. National interest is the primary consideration in foreign policy.
- International Relations: International agreements are temporary and conditional. Self-interest often outweighs international obligations. Progressive change in world politics is improbable.
Realism: The Balance of Power
- A key analytical tool in realist theory.
- Multiple states constantly strive to dominate others.
- Power balancing prevents any single state from becoming overly dominant.
- This leads to an equilibrium of power.
- Alliances and other strategies are used to achieve equilibrium and security.
Realism: Summary and Criticisms
- Human nature: Pessimistic view; humans are essentially power-hungry.
- Focus: Power and security. Trust is unreliable.
- Acceptance of conflict: Interdependence is avoided.
- Recognition of national interest: Justifies morally problematic actions.
- No lasting peace: War is a constant possibility.
- Criticisms: Overemphasizes conflict, and overly pessimistic view of international relations, struggles to account for events like the end of the Cold War.
Realist Theory: Authors and Evolution
- Thucydides (ancient Greek) : The History of the Peloponnesian War, conflict, and the lack of justice
- Machiavelli: The Prince; power, deception and national interest
- Hobbes: Leviathan; state of nature and the necessity of a sovereign state. War is a constant possibility; only a sovereign state can impose order.
- Morgenthau (20th century): Politics Among Nations; realism as a science of international politics.
Arctic Governance
- The Arctic region is undergoing rapid change.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of realism in international relations, emphasizing national security and state survival. It draws connections from classical thinkers like Thucydides and Machiavelli to modern political contexts, while also illustrating the dynamics of power politics through a competitive survival game.
