Flashcards
IR - Realism
Cards in this deck (17)
- 1Core assumptions of realism1. The nation-state as the principle actor in IR
2. The nation-state as a rational, autonomous and unitary agent
3. IR order with anarchy - 2The nation-state as the principle actor in IRNo actor exists above the state
States are the most important actors - 3The nation-state as rational, autonomous and unitary agentsRational: they serve self-interest
Autonomous and unitary: they speak and act with one voice - 4IR order with anarchy1. The absence of central authority.
2. The state of war
3. Self-help - 5The absence of a central authorityThey assume anarchy is the norm because there are no powerful authorities.
- 6The state of warAn omnipresent threat of war by nature
The primary concern of all states is survival. So accumulating power is key.
Power of a state is measured by military capibilities. - 7Self-helpMutual mistrust between countries
Co-operation is difficult to achieve
Relative gains, not absolute gains, matter
States want to do everything by oneself - 8National identityNational identity is important. One religion/ homogenicity. All these things combines the people under one ideology and identity.
- 9Fundamental [Classical] RealismDue to human nature we are pessimistic and place interests over ideologies
Drive for power and the will to dominant or in us by nature
Security through active balancing and self help - 10M15/16th century: princes and leaders were enganging in a struggle for power and glory
Princes should be prudent, cunning, envoke fear and love and cruel - 11MorgenthauPower over morality
Political action is directed towards power - 12Structural (neo) realismInstead of human nature, it focuses on the anarchic structure of the international system
- 13Unipolar/Bipolar/ MultipolarUni - One great power, Bi - two great powers, Multi - more than two
BP is more stable than MP because balancing can only occur through internal balancing as there are no extra great powers with which to form alliances.
Less opportunity for miscalculations and therefore less chance of great power war. - 14Consitutional Realism/ Democratic RealismState of nature and just social contract
Just general wills competing against each other for national interest
State of war is inevitable but can be mitigated
Europe's Christian culturea and monarchial structure create more stability - 15CriticismsDoes not explain changes in IR
Domestic sources of state behaviour in IR
The salience of international institutions: EU
International cooperation peace despite state of war - 16Does not explain changes in IRThe end of the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union in 1991
International politics underwent rapid change
Prompted the emergence of an optimistic vision - 17Domestic sources of state behaviour in IRCold War ended because ordinary citizens decided to rebel against existing power structures.
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- IR Flashcards on IR - Realism, created by Jessica Ridley on 19/04/2019.
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- Jessica Ridley
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