Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Definition of a state |
An entity that is able to claim monopoly on the legitimate use, threat or authorisation of violence in a territory |
|
|
Key figures in realism |
Thucydidies- self interest and power, wrote on the peloponesuan war Machiavelli- better to be feared than loved, prince must look like a lion and act like a fox Thomas Hobbes- all men are restless and desire power |
|
|
Realism |
- The dominant theory of international relations - Analogous to a state of war where states are concerned for their own security and survival |
|
|
Tenets |
- International system of states is anarchical - State centric theory - Primary aim of states is to survive, need power to do this - Each state is responsible to ensure own wellbeing - ‘Balance of power’, states under threat by a hegemonic power will form an alliance |
|
|
Forms of realism |
- Classical realism: ancient greece to 20th century - Structural realism (neorealism): post 1979 - Neoclassical realism: 1998 |
|
|
Three ‘S’s of realism |
Statism Survival Self help |
|
|
Statism |
- States compete for power and security - Nature of competition is 0 sum - Power is a relational concept |
|
|
Survival |
- Nations survival is first and ultimate responsibility - States strive for survival |
|
|
Self help |
- Stares must rely on selves to be secure - Security dilema: self help attempts of states for security tend to lead to rising insecurity for other states as each sees the other as threatening - One states quest for security generates insecurity in other states |
|
|
Criticisms |
- Doesn’t address US defeat in Vietnam or USSR defeat in Afghanistan - Doesn’t explain end of cold war - Power concerns just states - How does it address regional integration and humanitarian intervention - How does realism explain other forms of power |
