Political Philosophy: Realism and Key Thinkers

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was a consequence of Germany's defeat in World War I?

It became the most powerful country in the world

It formed an alliance with the Soviet Union

It had to pay financial reparations and disarm (correct)

It gained more overseas colonies

What was the main ideology of Adolf Hitler's rise to power?

Communism

Nazi ideology (correct)

Liberalism

Socialism

What was the result of the Soviet-Afghanistan War?

The Soviets formed a strong alliance with Afghanistan

The war led to the collapse of the Soviet Union

The war led to the spread of communism in the region

The Soviets invaded Afghanistan due to difficulty in forming alliances with them (correct)

What was the outcome of Mao's Great Leap Forward in China?

It resulted in history's worst famines Signup and view all the answers

What was the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction?

A nuclear attack by either state would only ensure its own destruction Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Cold War?

The fall of communism Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Korean War?

The split of North and South Korea Signup and view all the answers

What are the three balancing elements of International Politics?

Power, Security, and Market integration Signup and view all the answers

What is the main assumption about human nature in the Realist approach to political philosophy?

Humans are selfish and greedy Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher is associated with the idea that people form social contracts to prevent conflict?

Thomas Hobbes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of states in the Realist approach?

Ensure security and survival Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea of Critical Theory?

People are nurtured by social structures that influence their behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher argued that power is not bound by moral laws?

Niccolo Machiavelli Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Peace of Westphalia?

It ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe Signup and view all the answers

Which intellectual movement challenged traditional beliefs in all parts of society?

The Enlightenment Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the process by which societies develop through different aspects?

Modernization Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Philosophy

Human nature is viewed differently by three main philosophical approaches: Realism, Liberalism, and Critical Theory
Realism: Human nature is selfish and greedy, prioritizing self-interest and security above all else
Liberalism: Human beings are rational and moral creatures, and trade and economic interdependence make war less likely
Critical Theory: People are shaped by social structures that influence their behavior and the world, advocating for the emancipation of the oppressed

Key Figures

Realism:
- Thomas Hobbes: People form social contracts to prevent conflict
- Niccolo Machiavelli: Power is not bound by moral laws
Liberalism:
- John Locke: Father of Liberalism, human nature is inherently cooperative
- Immanuel Kant: Rationality is the root of all morality
Critical Theory:
- Karl Marx: Emancipation of the proletariat from the bourgeoisie, advocating for communism
- Michel Foucault: Social structures like the patriarchy have allowed injustice to happen
- Jurgen Habermas: Politics has three interconnected structures: Government, Economic Market, and Socio-cultural

Historical Context of International Politics

30 Years War & Age of Discovery:
- Led to feudal politics and the Peace of Westphalia
- Marked the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment and modernization
- Feudalism: Agrarian-based production on fixed social hierarchies
- Enlightenment: An intellectual movement that challenged beliefs in all parts of society

Industrial Revolution

Western countries transitioned from agricultural to industrial economies
Strengthened colonial expansion and led to the rise of capitalism

World Wars

WW1:
- Began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
- Ended with the Treaty of Versailles, imposing reparations and disarmament on Germany
WW2:
- Resulted from Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and Nazi ideology
- Ended with the USA and Soviet Union as the remaining powerful nations

Cold War

Began with the revelation of the nuclear bomb’s existence
Fought through proxy wars, including:
- The Korean War, leading to the split of North and South Korea
- The Vietnam War, representing communism and liberalism
- The Soviet-Afghanistan War, resulting from the Soviet invasion

Cold War Strategies

Brinkmanship: Risking war to force the opponent to back down
Mutually Assured Destruction: A nuclear attack by either state would ensure its own destruction

Rise and Fall of Communism

Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms led to the fall of communism
Economic weaknesses and political unresponsiveness contributed to the fall of communism

Balancing Elements of International Politics

Power: Political Ideologies, Economics, Market integration, Diplomacy, Alliances, Communication
Security: Geography, Militarization, War, Nationalism, Terrorism, Immigration, Nuclear proliferation
(No third element mentioned)

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the principles of realism in political philosophy, including the views of prominent thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli. Topics include human nature, state priorities, and the role of power and coercion in politics.