Classical Realism
Is a branch of Realism that emphasizes the study of human and states behaviors
Characteristics 1
- Human Nature: Virtually everyone is born with a will to power hardwired into them, which effectively means that great powers are led by individuals who are bent on having their state dominate its rivals 2
- Nothing can be done to alter that drive to be all-powerful.
- States:
- only care about survival of themselves
- morals and ethics doesn’t limit states’ behavior
- selfish and competitive with other states
- Need power to defend one-self
- the best defense is an offense: to not let others get more powerful
Assumptions 1
- International Politics is an arena for states to exercise their political power for national interests
- International Politics is about survival through different methods:
- Adapt to Survive: If a rising power is rising, another dominant power will try to resist them from rising. Leading to the trap of war between two major powers. Thucydides
- Aware and Anticipate: actions of other states to defend and preemptive attack potential enemies. Niccolò Machiavelli
- Every State for Themselves: states build compete in building up security making everyone less secure in the Security Dilemma. Thomas Hobbes
- Mindful Statecraft for Welfare: keeping in mind flaws of human nature to decide what is best security and welfare for people. IR isn’t conducted with morals, its unpredictable. Hans Morgenthau