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classical realism
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29/1/19POL1032: Classical realism
Summary of key classical realist themes:
Originates with Thucydides and his account of the Peloponnesian war.
It is generally pessimistic view of human nature.
Recognises that the central role of power in politics of all kinds (domestic or
international) but also limitations of power and how it can become self-defeating.
Emphasises the need for a balance of power.
Bonds and alliances are vital to peace but are always fragile. They can be
undermined by pursuit of unilateral advantage.
Tends to oppose idealistic political projects, often placing it at odds with liberalism.
Prominent classical realists:
Thucydides – writes history of the Peloponnesian war. Generally, sees war as an inversion of
the norm and a decay of good virtues but always a risk in our nature. War saw
Athens/Sparta lose shared values, overwhelmed by particularistic interests.
Machiavelli – may occasionally need exceptional levels of brute force and violence.
However, leaders must rule with “Virtu” (but be prepared to abandon it) encouraged
diplomacy between nations, setting up embassies etc.
Hobbes – experience of a violent ‘state of nature’ encourages people towards – they seek a
‘sovereign’ to guarantee security, but this sovereign would cease to be if they are insecure
again.
20th century classical realism
Edward Hallet Carr
Historian who emphasised that it was impossible to be ‘objective’ about history
Deeply critical of a world he saw as divided between ‘realists’ and ‘idealists’ –
idealists dreamed dangerous dreams that he believed reckless – league of nations is
an example
Also critiqued the arrogance and hubris of states, particularly France in the treaty of
Versailles
His experience of the 2 wards probably encouraged a negative perception of the
world
Hans J. Morgenthau
Principles of political realism are as follows (shortened)
1. Politics is governed by “objective laws” with their roots in human nature
2. That realism perceives the world through the concept of ‘interest understood in
terms of power’
3. That, while interest is to be universally defined as power, the meaning and content
of interests may shift and change
4. That realism was a perspective aware of the moral significance of political action
5. That moral aspirations of a single community or a state may not be universally
shared or valid
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