IR Class 4 - Realism Slides PDF

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BSPOL1312 SESSION 4 October 7th, 2024 REALISM  PREVIOUSLY ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Idealism Who? Individuals What? IR are about war and, particularly, peace How/why? International institutions are necessary So what? International institutions will prevent and stop...

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BSPOL1312 SESSION 4 October 7th, 2024 REALISM  PREVIOUSLY ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Idealism Who? Individuals What? IR are about war and, particularly, peace How/why? International institutions are necessary So what? International institutions will prevent and stop wars (diplomacy, agreements, dialogue) Liberalism Who? Civil societies in the framework of states What? IR are about war and, particularly, peace How/why? Anarchy is what civil societies want states to do about it So what? International trade and diffusion of democracy reduce the likelihood of conflicts TODAY’S AGENDA 1. The survival game 2. Realism: basic ideas and assumptions 3. Realist theory: authors and evolution 4. Artic governance: presentation and discussion 1. THE SURVIVAL GAME The aim of the game is to survive as long as you can. You receive two cards. As long as you have cards, you are alive. If you are alive, you are standing. If not, you have to sit down. You have to challenge one opponent with the game ‘rock-paper- scissors’(RPS), at least once every minute. If someone challenges you, you have to accept the duel. If you have 2 cards, you have to win 3 rounds of RPS to win the duel. If you have 4 cards, you have to win 2 rounds of RPS. If you have more than 4 cards, you have to win only 1 round. If you lose a duel, you have to give all your cards to your opponent and sit down. The winner wins a round of applauses and a chocolate bar. If you arrived late, you are dead. 1. THE SURVIVAL GAME What is the purpose of this game? According to Classical realism, humans/States are greedy and offensive Survival depends on material resources (e.g., cards, military expenditure) What was, in your opinion, the best strategy to win the game? Win cards as soon as possible Making alliances Cheating? Hiding? 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS Idealism versus Realism: Failure of idealism/utopian liberalism Emphasis on conflictual side of international relations Emergence of a new theory to explain ‘reality’ and war across time Pessimism/optimism Interdependence should be avoided/pursued Peace in the world cannot be achieved/peace can be achieved Promoting democracy elsewhere does not work/it is possible to promote democratic values 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS Some figures for WWII Between 70 and 85 millions casualties 3 to 5 more deaths than WWI 10-20% of the USSR’s population died 4-6% of the population of Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Japan and China died First use of atomic bombs: Hiroshima (90K- 160K deaths) and Nagasaki (60K-80K deaths) “Come and see” (1985) “Grave of the fireflies” directed by Elem Klimov (1988) directed by Isao Takahata 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS Pessimistic view of human nature International relations are necessarily conflictual and international conflicts are ultimately resolved by war Focus on the values of national security and state survival Skepticism about the possibility of making progress in international politics, focus on domestic politics instead “When you play the game of thrones you win or you die, there is no middle ground” Cersei Lannister (S1E7) 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS How are individuals depicted in Realist theory? Individuals act according to their self-interest Humans strive to have the ‘edge’ in relations with other people – including international relations with other countries. In that sense, humans are the same everywhere. The desire to enjoy an advantage over others and to avoid domination by others is universal. 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS How is the international arena depicted in Realist theory? An arena of struggle over power, conflict, and war between states Core assumption of realists: world politics exists and operates in a permanent condition of international anarchy The State is the pre-eminent actor in world politics: individuals and international organizations are either far less important or irrelevant 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS How are states depicted in Realist theory? States are not equal: hierarchy of power The most important states in world politics are great powers. International relations as a struggle between the great powers Main normative values: national security and state survival The state is essential for protecting its territory, its populations and the good life of its citizens The national interest is the final arbiter in judging foreign policy 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS How are international relations approached in Realist theory? International agreements are provisional and conditional on the willingness of states to observe them States must be prepared to sacrifice their international obligations for the sake of their own self-interest if the two come into conflict There are no international obligations. The only fundamental responsibility of states is to advance and defend the national interest There cannot be progressive change in world politics comparable to the development that characterizes domestic political life 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS What is the balance of power in Realist theory? Key analytical tool used by realist theory Constant pursuit of power by multiple states to dominate others States secure their survival by preventing any one state from gaining enough military power to dominate all others This leads to a balance Efforts of states to create an equilibrium through the use of forces such as alliances Desirable as it creates an inability to be dominated by another state and therefore provides security 2. REALISM: BASIC IDEAS AND ASSUMPTIONS Realism in a nutshell Pessimistic view of the world Focus on power and security States seek autonomy You cannot trust anyone/interdependence must be avoided States can never have enough power Rejection of idea of perpetual peace based on harmony of interests because there is no natural harmony of interests The only just war is the one that promotes the national interest The danger of war is always present  BREAK (10 MINUTES) 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Classical realism: a normative approach that focuses on the core political values of national security and state survival. Inspiration from ancient thinkers Classical realists (Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes,…) share the same view to a greater or lesser extent: acquisition and possession and use of power a central preoccupation of political activity. International conflicts are portrayed above all else as ‘power politics’ 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Thucydides Athenian historian and general Born around 460 B.C.E. Died around 400 B.C.E. The History of the Peloponnesian War 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION ‘International relations’ as the inevitable competitions between ancient Greek city- states (Hellas) and between Hellas and neighboring non-Greek empires Great powers (Athens, Sparta and the Persian Empire) vs smaller powers (e.g., the tiny islands states of the Aegean Sea) Inequality is the inevitable and natural character of realism Men as “political animals” unequal in their powers and capabilities to dominate others and to defend themselves 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION The standard of justice depends on the equality of power to compel and that in fact the strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accept what they have to accept This is the safe rule: to stand up to one’s equal, to behave with deference to one’s superiors, and to threat one’s inferior with moderation. 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION During the Peloponnesian War (Delian league led by Athens vs Peloponnesian league led by Sparta). Athens laid siege over Melos (neutral position, even if Melians had historically cooperated with Spartans). Athenian’s ultimatum: surrender and pay tribute or be destroyed The Melian dialogue: a dramatization of the negotiations between the Athenian emissaries and the rulers of Melos. The Melians appeal to the principle of justice (Melos is neutral and not a threat, Melians have the favor of the gods because they have the moral high ground). But Athenians replied that justice is not about equal treatment for all, it is about knowing your proper place and adapting to the natural reality of unequal power. Moral of the story: IR as a system of separate states that have no real choice except to operate according to the principles and practices of power politics 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Niccolò Machiavelli Diplomat, historian and theorist Born in Florence 1469 - died in 1527 The Prince (circa1513) One of the founding fathers of realist theory 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION How rulers should be according to The prince: The two essential means for the conduct of foreign policy are power (Lion) and deception (Fox) The main responsibility of rulers is to seek the advantage and defend the interests of their state and ensure its survival This requires strength (the ruler must be a lion) but also cleverness (the ruler must also be a fox) in the pursuit of self-interest If rulers are not astute, they might miss an opportunity that could bring great advantages or benefit to them and their state The state leader must not act in accordance with the principles of Christian ethics because political responsibility is different from private morality (“a prince should know how to enter into evil when necessity commands”) 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Theory of survival according to The prince: Human nature as “insatiable, arrogant, crafty, and shifting and above all, malignant, iniquitous, violent and savage” The world is a dangerous place, but also a place of opportunities To prosper, state leaders need to recognize and exploit the opportunities that present themselves The conduct of foreign policy is thus an instrumental activity based on the intelligent calculation of one’s power and interests as against the power and interests of rivals and competitors The realist leader is alert to opportunities in any political situation and is prepared and equipped to exploit them 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Thomas Hobbes English political philosopher Born in 1588 - died in 1679 Leviathan (1651) 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Men and women can be imagined as living in a “natural" condition prior to the invention and institution of the sovereign state: the “state of nature” The state of nature is an extremely adverse human circumstance in which there is a permanent state of war of every man against every man: “during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war is often every man against every man” (chapter 13) A way out from the state of nature is possible through the creation and maintenance of a sovereign state 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Men and women collaborate to create a state with a sovereign government that possesses absolute authority and credible power to protect them The very act of instituting a sovereign state creates another state of nature between states. That creates a “security dilemma”: the achievement of personal security and domestic security through the creation of a state is necessarily accompanied by the condition of national and international insecurity that is rooted in the anarchy of the state system. 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION There is no escape from the security dilemma because there is no possibility of forming a global state or world government The international state of nature is not as threatening as the original state of nature: it is easier for states to provide security than it is for individuals to do it on their own. No permanent or guaranteed peace between sovereign states. War necessary for resolving disputes between states that cannot agree. States can arrange treaties with each other to provide a legal basis for their relations. But international law is created by states, and it will only be observed if it is in the security and survival interests of states to do that; otherwise, it will be ignored. 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION To sum up, Classical realism considers that Human condition is a condition of insecurity and conflict There is a body of political knowledge or wisdom to deal with the problem of security No final escape from this human condition, which is a permanent feature of human life No permanent solutions to the problems of politics – including international politics No enduring peace between states 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Hans Morgenthau American scholar, ‘father’ of realism Born in 1904 – died in1980 Politics Among Nations (1948) Contemporary (neo-)realism is a more recent IR doctrine. It is a more scientific approach and focuses on the international system or ‘structure’ and it is largely American in origin 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Aftermath of WWII, Morgenthau sought to develop a comprehensive theory of international relations Politics is governed by objective laws that have roots in human nature Main concern: to better understand the relationship between interests, power and morality in international politics. 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Morgenthau’s view of individuals Humans are by nature political animals: they are born to pursue power. Animus dominandi - human ‘lust’ for power Search for a secure political space within which to maintain oneself free The ultimate political space within which security can be achieved is the independent sovereign state Security beyond the state is impossible 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Morgenthau’s approach to IR The animus dominandi inevitably brings men and women into conflict with each other. The anarchical system of states invites international conflict which ultimately takes the form of war The struggle between states leads to the problem of justifying the threat or use of force in human relations. There is a difference between the public sphere of politics and the private sphere of domestic life: political ethics and private ethics are not the same. 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Power over morality Every political action is directed towards keeping, increasing, or demonstrating power Policies based on morality or idealism can lead to weakness – and possibly the destruction or domination of a state Political goals must sometimes justify morally questionable means: ‘situational ethics’ Pursuing the national interest is “amoral” – meaning that it is not subject to calculations of morality 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Morgenthau’s “Six principles of political realism” 1. Politics is governed by objective laws rooted in human nature 2. National interest defined in terms of national power 3. Interest is always dynamic 4. Moral principles cannot be applied to State’s action 5. No identification between moral aspirations of a nation and universal moral laws 6. Political sphere is autonomous 3. REALIST THEORY: AUTHORS AND EVOLUTION Some criticisms: Realists perpetuate the violent and confrontational world that they describe By assuming the egoistic nature of humankind and the absence of hierarchy, realists encourage leaders to act in ways based on suspicion, power and force (self-fulfilling prophecy) Excessively pessimistic (confrontational nature of the international system as inevitable) Realism was not able to predict or explain the end of the Cold War 4. ARTIC GOVERNANCE: PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION Young, O. (2009). The Arctic in play: Governance in a time of rapid change. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 24(2), 423-442 (extracts)