Untitled Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is anarchy in the context of international relations?

The lack of an overarching government higher than the level of the states in the international system.

What does the balance of power theory suggest?

Peace and stability can be maintained as long as military power is distributed throughout the world to prevent a hegemony.

What is meant by national interest?

The goals that a state pursues for the benefit of their country.

What is neorealism or structural realism?

The theory that states' behavior is based on the differences in their relative power. Signup and view all the answers

How is power defined in this context?

The factors that enable one actor to manipulate another actor's behavior against their preferences. Signup and view all the answers

What does realism assert about world politics?

World politics is essentially a struggle between self-interested states for power and position under anarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What is realpolitik?

The theoretical outlook saying that countries should prepare for war in order to preserve peace. Signup and view all the answers

What is the principle of self-help in international relations?

The principle that in anarchy, actors should rely on themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What does sovereignty mean in international law?

The principle that the governments of states are subject to no higher external authority. Signup and view all the answers

How is relative power defined?

How much power a nation has in comparison to another. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are key views of a realist? (Select all that apply)

People are naturally selfish and driven by self-interest Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are key views of a neorealist? (Select all that apply)

The primary goal of every state is survival Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between realism and neorealism?

In classical realism, conflict happens because people are inherently flawed; in neorealism, conflict arises from the anarchical structure of the international system. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Realism and NeoRealism

Anarchy: Absence of a global governing body, leading to a system where states operate independently under no higher authority.
Balance of Power: A concept maintaining that military strength should be evenly distributed globally to prevent dominance by any single state.
National Interest: Refers to the strategic goals and objectives that states pursue in order to secure their own welfare and survival.
Neorealism/Structural Realism: A variant of realism asserting that state behavior is influenced primarily by their relative power positions within the international system.
Power: The capacity of one actor to influence or dictate the actions of another despite their preferences.
Realism: A perspective emphasizing that international relations are driven by the self-interested pursuit of power among states in an anarchic environment.
Realpolitik: A practical approach suggesting that nations should prepare militarily for potential conflicts as a means to ensure long-term peace.
Self-Help: The idea that in an anarchic world, states must rely on their own capabilities and resources for survival.
Sovereignty: The principle that states possess supreme authority over their territory and are not subordinate to any external force under international law.
Relative Power: The assessment of a nation’s strength compared to another, influencing its position and strategy in international relations.

Perspectives of Realists and NeoRealists

Realist Views:
- Human selfishness drives conflicts centered around power.
- The quest for power is a fundamental and dangerous trait of human nature.
- The notion of eliminating the desire for power is unrealistic.
- Global politics is characterized as a continuous struggle for power among states.
NeoRealist Views:
- States are sovereign actors operating independently in an anarchic system.
- Relative power dynamics are crucial in state interactions.
- State survival is the primary objective of foreign policy.
- States act rationally, considering their environment and making decisions to enhance their security.
- The international system is based on self-reliance; alliances are contingent on mutual interest.
- Military power is prioritized over economic considerations in ensuring national security.

Differences between Realism and NeoRealism

Conflict Origin:
- Classical Realism attributes conflicts to inherent human flaws, while NeoRealism attributes them to the anarchic nature of the international system.
State Types:
- Classical Realism distinguishes between status quo states and revisionist states, whereas NeoRealism posits that all states seek to alter the system for their own advantage.
Scope:
- Classical Realism focuses on high politics, addressing issues of security and warfare, while NeoRealism expands its analysis to encompass a broader range of interactions in international relations.