Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

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.

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.

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.