1. Morgenthau proposes 6 principles of realism: (1) politics are governed by roots in human nature; (2) individual interest is defined in terms of power; (3) a politician is incapable of sacrificing all self-interest for public interest; (4) there is no place for morals in state action, (5) no country has a set of supreme morals compared to another; and (6) the political sphere is governed by its own laws and concerns, all others are subordinate.
2. Thucydides’ Melian dialogue is unchecked with realist themes of interest as power, and moral unimportance.
The Athenian statement, “The strong do what they have the power to do, and the weak accept what they have to accept” is realist to the core. They view the Melians as weak and conversely themselves as strong. If the Melians had adequate power, the Athenians would not be there, and now that they are the Melian self-interest is best served taking what it can get. The Athenian position holds that, “…by not destroying you, would be able to profit …show more content…
The Melians forecast an outcome that the Athenian aggressions will just “…[strengthen] the enemies you have already, and [force] others to become your enemies…”. Additionally, the Melians claim their stance as preventing showing themselves to be “…great cowards and weaklings if we failed to face everything that comes rather than submit to slavery.” The Melian position rests on hope that the Spartans will scare the Athenians off, or that the Athenians will see their conquest as less than moral. Colloquially, the Athenian response is, “Don’t hold your breath.” In the end, the Athenians, unconcerned with morals and not wanting to appear weak sacked
2. Thucydides’ Melian dialogue is unchecked with realist themes of interest as power, and moral unimportance.
The Athenian statement, “The strong do what they have the power to do, and the weak accept what they have to accept” is realist to the core. They view the Melians as weak and conversely themselves as strong. If the Melians had adequate power, the Athenians would not be there, and now that they are the Melian self-interest is best served taking what it can get. The Athenian position holds that, “…by not destroying you, would be able to profit …show more content…
The Melians forecast an outcome that the Athenian aggressions will just “…[strengthen] the enemies you have already, and [force] others to become your enemies…”. Additionally, the Melians claim their stance as preventing showing themselves to be “…great cowards and weaklings if we failed to face everything that comes rather than submit to slavery.” The Melian position rests on hope that the Spartans will scare the Athenians off, or that the Athenians will see their conquest as less than moral. Colloquially, the Athenian response is, “Don’t hold your breath.” In the end, the Athenians, unconcerned with morals and not wanting to appear weak sacked