Realism

Realism

1. Neoclassical neorealism was only useful to explain political outcomes (classified as being 'theories of international politics'), but had nothing to offer about particular states' behavior (or 'theories of foreign policy'). The basic approach, then, was for these authors to "refine, not refute, Kenneth Waltz", by adding domestic intervening variables between systemic incentives and a state's foreign policy decision.

   • The basic theoretical architecture of Neoclassical Realism is: Distribution of power in the international system Domestic perception of the system and/or domestic incentives Foreign policy decision (dependent variable)
   • Thomas J Christensen

2. Criticisms

   • Democratic Peace Theory
     • Realism is not applicable to democratic states' relations with each another, as their studies claim that such states do not go to war with one another. However, Realists and proponents of other schools have critiqued both this claim and the studies which appear to support it, claiming that its definitions of "war" and "democracy" must be tweaked in order to achieve the desired result.
   • Federalism
     • The theory or advocacy of federal political orders, where final authority is divided between sub-units and a centre. Unlike a unitary state, sovereignty is constitutionally split between at least two territorial levels so that units at each level have final authority and can act independently of the others in some area.
       • A unifying relationship between states should be established under a common system of law. Conflict and disagreement should be resolved through peaceful means rather than through coercion or war. Its most important aspect is in recognizing that different types of institutions are needed to deal with different types of political issues.
   • Hegemonic Peace Theory
     • Persistent world-wide hegemony and empire are both possible and probable. There is a causal link between democracy and peace but the link is reverse: peace causes democracy, while the cause of peace is the unipolar distribution of power and the hegemonic world order.
       • Hegemonic Stability Theory
         • The international system is more likely to remain stable when a single nation-state is the dominant world power. the fall of an existing hegemon or the state of no hegemon diminishes the stability of the international system.

3. Neorealist

   • Neorealist - derives from classical realism except that instead of human nature, its focus is predominantly on the anarchic structure of the international system. States are primary actors because there is no political monopoly on force existing above any sovereign. While states remain the principal actors, greater attention is given to the forces above and below the states through levels of analysis or structure-agency debate. The international system is seen as a structure acting on the state with individuals below the level of the state acting as agency on the state as a whole.
     • Kenneth Waltz
       • Structural realism
         • Structural constraints—not strategy, egoism, or motivation—will determine behaviour in international relations.
     • Robert Gilpn
       • Hegemonic Theory
         • The international system is more likely to remain stable when a single nation-state is the dominant world power. the fall of an existing hegemon or the state of no hegemon diminishes the stability of the international system.
       • Hegemonic Stability Theory
     • John Mearsheimer
       • Offensive Realism
         • The anarchic nature of the international system responsible for aggressive state behaviour in international politics. It fundamentally differs from defensive realism by depicting great powers as power-maximizing revisionists privileging buck-passing over balancing strategies in their ultimate aim to dominate the international system.
       • Buck Passing
         • Threatened states can take four measures to facilitate buck passing, including: seeking good diplomatic relations with the aggressor in the hope that it will divert its attention to the "buck-catcher"; maintaining cool relations with the buck-catcher so as not to get dragged into the war with the buck-catcher and as a result possibly increase positive relations with the aggressor; increasing military strength to deter the aggressive state and help it focus on the buck-catcher; and facilitating the growth in power of the intended buck-catcher
     • Robert Jervis
       • Defensive Realism
         • Asserts that aggressive expansion as promoted by offensive neorealists upsets the tendency of states to conform to the balance of power theory, thereby decreasing the primary objective of the state, which they argue is ensuring its security.[3] While defensive realism does not deny the reality of interstate conflict, nor that incentives for state expansion do exist, it contends that these incentives are sporadic rather than endemic. Defensive neorealism points towards “structural modifiers” such as the security dilemma and geography, and elite beliefs and perceptions to explain the outbreak of conflict
   • Balance of power

4. Classical

   • Classical - it is fundamentally the nature of man that pushes states and individuals to act in a way that places interests over ideologies
     • Barry Buzan
     • Hedley Bull – argued for both the existence of an international society of states and its perseverance even in times of great systemic upheaval, meaning regional or so-called "world wars"
   • Balance of power
     • Bandwagoning / Balanicing
     • Buck-Passing
     • Chain Ganging
     • Core tenet of the two