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Class notes and exploration of Critiques of Realism
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Critiques of realism including the political thought of Hans Morgenthau, Thomas schelling, E.H Carr, Henry Kissinger and Justin Rosenberg.
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IR Lecture 3 NOTES: Realism and its CritiquesHow has the realism of Thucydides and Machiavelli been shaped by 20th century thinkers?
What has shaped them?
Recapping Classical Realism
Realism is, purportedly, about the most essential goals for state leaders: survival of
own population and security of the state
State leaders need to be ever watchful and able to read their opponents’ behaviour
and detect threat
They need to step outside of their society’s moral codes on occasion (separate
morality to citizens)
State leaders are always cautious(prudence) because of the responsibilities they
have, according to realists – pessimistic of peace
Realists as theorists or practitioners or both
Realism is both a set of theories (a ‘school’), classical realism and modern realism
And a set of practices
Famous realist theorists and practitioners can be influenced by ideas outside of
realism – in short, they are not married to realism. Prepared to change it for the
better.
Famous realists: Gordon brown? Margert Thatcher?
Classical Realism in the 20th century
There are many branches of realism because the perspectives of realists are
influenced by the situation and times, they live in.
Realists have had influence over policy-making. Some of them had extraordinary
influence as state leaders
The realists considered in this lecture are chosen for their original take on realism
and/or for their influence on the study and practice of IR
E.H. Carr Modern realist
Born in England, 1892-1982 – end of 19th century into 20th
, Joined the FCO (foreign common office) in 1916 and worked there for 20 years
before joining academia
As a diplomat, worked at the Paris Conference where the Treaty of Versailles
(reparations must be paid by Germany) was formulated (after math of WW1)
Watched the decline of LoN (league of nations- established straight after ww1) and
the rise of Hitler
Influenced by the countries (Russia), ideology (Marxism), and organisations (League
of Nations) , etc.
Occupied the first chair in IR at University of Aberystwyth (Wales)
The Twenty Years Crisis by E.H CARR
A classic text in IR
Was a text that re-stated core ideas of realism and critiqued liberalism as it
manifested at that time (which he called utopian idealism)
Book is an important plank in the ‘first great debate’ between realism and idealism
Very harsh on liberal ideas such as the harmony of interests, reason(critiques reason
leads to progess and just relying on rational calculations you can view human beings
in an overly rational way) , progress, universal values(justice and fairness and liberty
have equal meaning across the world and that they are understood the same way)
Carr thought that cooperation (encoded in treaties and into organisations) should
recognise:
the realities of power in IR, such as the balance of power (the needs and
desires of the powerful to keep them onside); Such as the security in the UN
(5 vetos)
the diversity and relativity of ideas of e.g. morality within and among
societies; liberty for ex can mean different things to others.
the propensity(likelihood) for conflict between different states’ interests.
Interests do not have a harmony.
Carr was Often criticised for support for undermining the collective security of the
LoN(league of nations) and for advocating appeasement for Germany under Nazis.
Failed to recognise the aggrandising tendencies of Germany at that time.
Hans Morgenthau
Born and educated in Germany, 1904-1979, Jewish (enormous discrimination)
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