🫱🏼🫲🏾Theories of International Relations Unit 1 – Realism and Neorealism in IR Theory
Realism and Neorealism are foundational theories in International Relations. They emphasize power, self-interest, and anarchy in shaping state behavior. These theories view states as primary actors in a competitive international system, prioritizing survival and security above all else.
Key concepts include balance of power, security dilemma, and national interest. Realism evolved from classical thinkers like Thucydides to modern scholars like Morgenthau. Neorealism, developed by Waltz, focuses on systemic constraints. Both face criticism for neglecting non-state actors and cooperation.
Realism emphasizes the role of power, self-interest, and the anarchic nature of the international system in shaping state behavior
Anarchy refers to the absence of a central authority or government to enforce rules and maintain order in the international system
Power is the ability of a state to influence or control the behavior of other states, often through military, economic, or political means
National interest is the primary goal of states, which is to ensure their own survival, security, and prosperity
Balance of power is a key mechanism in realism, where states form alliances or engage in arms races to prevent any single state from becoming too powerful
Security dilemma arises when actions taken by a state to increase its own security, such as military buildup, can be perceived as threatening by other states, leading to increased tensions and potential conflict
Sovereignty is the supreme authority of a state within its own borders and the recognition of this authority by other states in the international system
Historical Context and Origins
Realism has roots in ancient political thought, with thinkers like Thucydides (5th century BC) and Machiavelli (16th century) emphasizing the role of power in international relations
The Peace of Westphalia (1648) established the modern nation-state system and the principle of sovereignty, which are central to realist thought
The Industrial Revolution and the rise of nationalism in the 19th century led to increased competition among states for power and resources
World War I and World War II demonstrated the destructive potential of great power rivalries and the limitations of international institutions in preventing conflict
The Cold War (1947-1991) between the United States and the Soviet Union was characterized by a bipolar balance of power and the threat of nuclear war, which reinforced realist perspectives on international relations
The development of nuclear weapons raised the stakes of great power conflict and led to the concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD)
The superpower rivalry also played out in proxy wars and interventions in the developing world (Vietnam, Afghanistan)
Core Assumptions of Realism
States are the primary actors in international relations, and they operate in an anarchic system without a central authority to enforce rules or maintain order
States are rational actors that pursue their own national interests, which are defined in terms of power and security
Power is the key determinant of state behavior and international outcomes, and states seek to maximize their power relative to others
International law and institutions have limited ability to constrain state behavior or prevent conflict, as they ultimately depend on the willingness of powerful states to enforce them
Morality and ideology are secondary to power considerations in international relations, and states will prioritize their own interests over moral or ideological concerns
The international system is characterized by constant competition and the possibility of war, as states seek to protect their security and expand their power
This can lead to arms races, alliance formation, and other forms of strategic behavior aimed at maintaining or altering the balance of power
Major Thinkers and Their Contributions
Hans Morgenthau (1904-1980) is considered the father of modern realism, and his book "Politics Among Nations" (1948) laid out the core principles of classical realism
Morgenthau emphasized the role of power in international relations and the inherent conflict between states pursuing their national interests
E.H. Carr (1892-1982) challenged idealist theories of international relations in his book "The Twenty Years' Crisis" (1939), arguing that power, not morality or law, was the key factor in international politics
George Kennan (1904-2005) was an American diplomat and strategist who developed the policy of containment towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War, based on a realist assessment of Soviet power and intentions
Henry Kissinger (1923-) served as U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, and his realist approach to diplomacy emphasized the balance of power and the need for great power cooperation to maintain stability
Kenneth Waltz (1924-2013) is the founder of neorealism, which built on classical realism by emphasizing the structural constraints of the international system on state behavior
Neorealism: Evolution and Differences
Neorealism, also known as structural realism, emerged in the 1970s as a response to the limitations of classical realism in explaining international outcomes
Kenneth Waltz's "Theory of International Politics" (1979) argued that the structure of the international system, defined by the distribution of power among states, is the key determinant of state behavior
Waltz distinguished between the ordering principle of the international system (anarchy) and the distribution of capabilities among states (polarity)
Neorealism focuses on the systemic level of analysis, rather than the unit level of individual states and their characteristics
Defensive realism, associated with Waltz, argues that states primarily seek to maintain their position in the international system and will only pursue expansion when threatened
Offensive realism, developed by John Mearsheimer, argues that states seek to maximize their power and will pursue hegemony whenever possible, as the best way to ensure their security in an anarchic system
Neorealism has been criticized for its emphasis on material power and its neglect of non-state actors, transnational forces, and the role of domestic politics in shaping state behavior
Criticisms and Limitations
Realism has been criticized for its pessimistic view of human nature and its emphasis on conflict and competition in international relations
The focus on states as unitary rational actors neglects the role of domestic politics, non-state actors, and transnational forces in shaping international outcomes
Realism's emphasis on power and national interest may overlook the importance of international law, institutions, and norms in regulating state behavior and promoting cooperation
The balance of power theory has been challenged by the emergence of new threats, such as terrorism and global environmental problems, which require collective action rather than competition among states
Constructivist theories argue that realism neglects the role of ideas, identities, and social constructions in shaping state behavior and international relations
Critical theorists argue that realism serves to legitimize and perpetuate existing power structures and inequalities in the international system
Real-World Applications
Realism has been influential in shaping foreign policy decisions, particularly in great powers like the United States, Russia, and China
The U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War was based on a realist assessment of Soviet power and intentions
China's assertive behavior in the South China Sea and its economic and military rise can be seen as a classic example of a rising power seeking to expand its influence and challenge the existing balance of power
Realist theories have been used to analyze and predict the behavior of states in international crises and conflicts, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) and the Iraq War (2003)
The concept of the security dilemma has been applied to regional conflicts, such as the India-Pakistan rivalry and the Arab-Israeli conflict, where actions taken by one side to increase its security are perceived as threatening by the other, leading to an escalation of tensions
Realism has also been used to explain the difficulties in achieving international cooperation on issues such as climate change, where states may prioritize their own economic interests over collective action to address global problems
Debates and Controversies
The relative importance of power, institutions, and norms in shaping international outcomes remains a key debate between realists and liberals in international relations theory
The role of non-state actors, such as multinational corporations, NGOs, and international organizations, in the international system is a challenge to traditional realist assumptions about the primacy of states
The rise of China and the potential for a power transition in the international system has led to debates among realists about the likelihood and consequences of great power conflict
Some argue that China's rise is likely to lead to a hegemonic war with the United States, while others emphasize the possibility of great power cooperation and accommodation
The relevance of realism in an increasingly globalized and interdependent world has been questioned, as transnational challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and economic crises require collective action and cooperation among states
The ethics of realism and its emphasis on power and national interest over moral considerations has been a source of controversy, particularly in cases where states have pursued policies that violate human rights or international law in the name of national security