Theories of IR: Realism

1. Theories of IR: Realism PO 325: International Politics

2. Realism • Dim View of Human Nature (Hobbesian) • States are the Central Actors: Little Real Influence Exerted by IGOs, NGOs, and Sub-State Actors

3. Realism • Centrality of Anarchy and the Maintenance of Sovereignty • World Populated by Potential Conquerors in Search of Security • State Thus Seek to Gain Security/Maintain Sovereignty, Sometimes Through War and Conquest • This Notion Leads to the SECURITY DILEMMA – State’s Actions to Ensure Security Threatens Security of Other States, Whose Reactions In Turn Threaten the First State

4. Realism • Rational Pursuit of Self-Interest • What is RATIONALITY? • Main Assumptions as Applied to IR • States are UNITARY ACTORS • States have COHERENT, DEFINABLE INTERESTS (can identify them and put priorities on them) • States make COST – BENEFIT CALCULATIONS • So, States as Coherent Entities Making Calculated Choices in a Unitary Fashion (Strong Leader) • Overarching Goal: Advance National Interest

5. Realism • Because of Human Nature/State of International Affairs, No Place for Moral Considerations in IR (Diminishes Capacity to Attain Primary Goal)

6. Realism • POWER • To Realists, Power is the Central Means of Gaining/Maintaining Security and Sovereignty in Anarchy • From IR Perspective, Power Can Only Be Had In Relation to Other States • Can Be Implemented Through Diplomacy and Bargaining, But These Are Useless Without Physical Capacity to Force Outcomes • Three General Strategies • Compellence: Force Others to Do What You Want Them to Do (ex: US – Iraq 2003) • Deterrence: Force Others to Refrain from Doing What You Don’t Want Them to Do (ex: Actions Prior to First Gulf War) • Reciprocity: Reward Compliance, Punish Non-Compliance (ex: US/USSR Nuclear Disarmament)

7. Realism • Power Sources • Resources: Long-Term • Economics • Demographics • Credibility • Less Tangible Factors (Culture, Religion, Geopolitics, Education) • Power as Capability: Short-term Influence Capacity • Military Capabilities – size, composition, preparedness • Immediate Industrial Capacity to Produce Weaponry • Less Tangible Factors (Domestic Support, Loyalty) • Power of Ideas – Capacity to Make Power Fungible – Mobilization Capacity (Psychological Vehicles

8. Realism • Power Relations: Structural Form and Systemic Stability Provide Framework For Interaction • Balance of Power • Best Way to Stop Aggression • Counterbalance Power of Potential Aggressors to Deter • Great Powers Often Band Together to Do So (ALLIANCES) • Relative Unimportance of Domestic Considerations • Realism Says that Alliances Will Hold Together Only As Long as Threat Persists (Is This Always So?) • Alternative – Bandwagoning

9. Neorealism • Neorealism Proposes General Laws About Peace and War Based on Nature of Power Distribution Across System • Power, which is measured as the physical capability to exert influence (military, economic, and demographic), is not an end in and of itself, but a means by which to ensure sovereignty • Generally, states ensure survival by balancing against other powers

10. Neorealism • States are functionally similar except in regards to capabilities (i.e., domestic factors do not matter) • For most neorealists, the most beneficial power distribution is bipolarity, as rival is apparent, importance of unreliable alliances is diminished, and engenders prudence (especially with nuclear weapons – MAD) [EX: Cold War]

11. Other Theories Relating to Power Distribution • Some realists claim that a multipolar situation is most likely to lead to peace, as there are always enough states to counterbalance aggression (power parity) [EX: Post-Westphalia] • Others claim that, when one state has the preponderance of systemic power, it dominates the rules of interaction and institutes peace to maintain status quo (hegemonic stability theory) [EX: UK in 1800s, US after Cold War] • Some realists claim that the existence of powerful rivals to a hegemon makes war more likely (power transition theory) [EX: WWI]