POSC 2200 – Theoretical
Approaches
Russell Alan Williams
Department of Political Science
Unit Two:
Theoretical Approaches
Required Reading:
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
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Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 5, 6 and 7.
Realism: Mearsheimer, Anarchy and the Struggle for Power, (Excerpt
available from the instructor.)
Liberalism: Michael Doyle, “Liberalism and World Politics”, American
Political Science Review, 80 (4), pp. 1151-69. (Excerpt available from the
instructor).
“Realism”
Outline:
1.
Introduction to Realism
2.
Key Assumptions
3.
The Evolution of Realism
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4.
5.
Classical Realism
Neorealism
Neoclassical realism
Conclusions
For Next Time
1) Introduction to Realism:
IR “Realism” is a modern theory . . . . Founding debate –
the interwar years (1919-1939) = Two “camps”:
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“Idealism”: Approach that emphasized international law, morality and
organizations, rather than power
 E.g. Hope that League of Nations could prevent future wars
“Realism”: Approach that explained IR mainly in terms of states’ pursuit
of power
 E.g. States must seek to maximize power or face destruction = WWI
was not “war to end all wars”
E. H. Carr (1939) coined terms - Argued that WWII proved that
“realism” was the correct theory
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Dominant theory until 1990s – particularly in US
However . . . Realism has “historical antecedents”:
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Classical sources that warned against “idealism” – still
cited to this day . . . .
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Collective insight? – See Mearsheimer for example:
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Thucydides (?)
Machiavelli (?)
Hobbes (?)
World is dangerous and violent place
“Wise” states pursue own power and security
Morality and trust of allies can be foolish
Three major types of “Realism”:
1.
“Classical Realism” – based on danger posed by other
humans
2.
“Neorealism” – based on the structure of international
system = “Structural realism”
3.
“Neoclassical Realism” – Combines insights from
Classical and Neorealism.
2) Key Assumptions of Realism
a) Humans are potentially “bad” . . .
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Inherently selfish and power seeking
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E.g. Debate between “Classical Realism” and
“Idealism” about human nature
Thomas Hobbes (1642)
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Only Leviathan, or strong sovereign government,
keeps us from killing one another
=There is no “Leviathan” in international politics under
normal circumstances . . . .
“Anarchy”: A political system that has no central
authority – does not equal chaos, but does not have
enforceable rules separate from power . . . .
2) Key Assumptions of Realism
b) “Statism”: Realism emphasizes the role of states
as the legitimate, rational, and constitutive actors
of international politics.

Key concerns of the state:
“Survival” . . . .
 Classical realist scholars argue that leaders’ first and
only priority is to ensure the durability of the state (E.g.
Machiavelli)
 “Self Help”: Under “anarchy” states can only trust in their
own abilities to ensure survival
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2) Key Assumptions of Realism
c) “Power”: the ability to get others to do what you
want them to do . . . .
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For realists power comes before politics and influence
and can be understood in material terms
= Military, economic and strategic “capabilities”
Modern realists emphasize the “Balance of Power” above
all else
3) The Evolution of Realism:
a) “Classical Realism”: Carr and others drew on
inspiration from classical sources . . .
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States should be protective of the “national interest”
Leaders should prioritize “raison d’etat/reasons of
state”
 E.g. Machiavelli's Prince must be ready to do what is
necessary, not what is “good”.
Deep suspicion of trust in rules and other sovereign
authorities . . . as they also (if they are wise) will pursue
“raison d’etat” in their strategies.
3) The Evolution of Realism:
a) Classical Realism was largely replaced by “Neorealism”
after the 1970s
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Desire for more science and clearer variables - arguments about threats
inherent in human nature and rogue states give way to a more “structural”
theory (Kenneth Waltz)
“Neorealism”: Used ideas from behavioral science to understand
state behavior, given the structure of the international system.
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Two variables:
1) “Anarchy”
2) Distribution of power (military and economic abilities)
Note: Internal characteristics of states (Democracy versus nondemocracies etc.) are NOT important, as all states seek the survival under
“anarchy”
3) The Evolution of Realism:
“Neorealism” directed focus to:
“Relative Gains”: International politics is a “zero-sum game”, in
which states must be concerned about how much other states gain
in relation to them = one state’s gain necessarily means another
state has lost . . . .
“Security Dilemma”: As states acquire capabilities to make
themselves secure, they make others more insecure – leads to a
cycle of arms races and growing insecurity.
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Implications? >> Possibility of cooperation is very limited,
because of rational self interest and fear of "Relative Gains"
Neorealism: Relative Gains, “Prisoners’
Dilemma” and Nuclear Proliferation
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India vs. Pakistan - Both would be better off by
not developing “nukes” = cooperation
However, each state
most fears cooperating
(not developing nukes)
while other “defects”
and does!!!
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= huge relative gains
problem!!!
Pakistan
Cooperate
(No Nukes)
Cooperate
Defect
(No nukes)
(Get Nukes)
C,C
C,D
D,C
D,D
India
Defect
(Get Nukes)
•India preference = DC>CC>DD>CD
•Pakistan preference = CD>CC>DD>DC
•If both states are rational, fear of cheating and “relative
gains” leads to equilibrium at (D,D)
Key Point: Rational self interest makes cooperation difficult
3) The Evolution of Realism:
“Neorealism” also led to debate between “offensive
realism” and “defensive realism”.
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Both see states as necessarily focused on maximizing their
security, but have different theories about the impact of
capabilities . . . .
Offensive vs. Defensive Realism
John Mearsheimer – “Offensive Realism”
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Assumptions:
 All states possess some military capability
 All states concerned about survival
 All states uncertain of other’s intentions
 Friends today can be enemies tomorrow . . . .
Result:
 Great powers should think and act aggressively
whenever they can
 Maximize power & exploit other’s weakness
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E.g. Athens and Melos
= Culture of fear!
Offensive vs. Defensive Realism
Robert Jervis – “Defensive Realism”
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Assumption:
 If military capabilities favor defense then the
capabilities of others are less threatening
 E.g. Weaker states can defend themselves
against stronger if there is an attack
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Result:
 States do not need to be so quick to maximize
power to survive
 E.g. post World War I France
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Problems?
3) The Evolution of Realism:
“Neoclassical realism”: Combines the structural ideas of
“neorealism” with more classical ideas bout the nature
of individual states.
“Neorealism”: Suggested states were the same, and all were
threatening
 “Neoclassical realism”: Suggests some states are less
threatening regardless of their “capabilities” as they are
satisfied with the status quo.
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3) The Evolution of Realism:
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Key point: Realism needed to move beyond just thinking about
military capabilities and think about the goals of individual
societies and states.
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“Revisionist” states are the ones that should be feared . . . .
4) Conclusions - Realism
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View of individual:
 Power seeking, selfish and antagonistic
View of state:
 Unitary, rational and power seeking
View of international system:
 Anarchic, conflict constant (only inhibited by
“balance of power” – E.g. conflict less likely
under “Hegemony” or “unipolarity”
“Neorealism” has tended to play down individual and
domestic politics explanations of state behavior
4) Conclusions - Realism:
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Strengths:
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Clearly stated & small number of variables = clear predictions
Reflects much of what we observe (?)
Problems:
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Most realists are “offensive” - should equal more war?
There seem to be many rules and morals in international
politics
 Hard to explain some behavior from realist perspective:
 Decolonization?
 USSR "gave up" the cold war?
Unclear role for economics – Realism has hard time explaining
economic cooperation and “globalization” = GREAT DEAL
OF COOPERATION
7) For Next Time . . .
Unit Two:
Theoretical Approaches
“Liberalism: Idealism – Institutionalism”
Required Reading:


Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 5, 6 and 7.
Liberalism: Michael Doyle, “Liberalism and World Politics”,
American Political Science Review, 80 (4), pp. 1151-69. (Excerpt
available from the instructor).