Realism

Question 1

Anarchy

Answer 1

Lack of higher authority

Question 2

Hegemony

Answer 2

When power is not distributed and one state is strong enough to dominate all others

Question 3

Security Dilemma

Answer 3

Cycle when countries balance their power with all other countries to create a higher state of national security. This causes one state to not become more powerful than any other state. When one state falls less powerful, other states give resources to balance the power once again.

Question 4

Offensive Structual Realism

Answer 4

States are most concerned with maximizing power.

Question 5

Defensive Structual Realism

Answer 5

States are most concerned with maximizing security.

Question 6

Classical realism

Answer 6

Conflict is the result of the human nature to desire power and to see power as the end goal.

Question 7

Structural realism

Answer 7

Conflict is the result of anarchy and power is the means of survival.

Question 8

Neoclassical realism

Answer 8

Conflict results from both human nature to desire power and from anarchy.

Question 9

Status quo

Answer 9

The current conditions of affairs between states.

Question 10

What are the five key assumptions of structural realism?

Answer 10

1. States operate in an anarchic global system.
2. All states possess some offensive military capability.
3. States can never know the intentions of other states.
4. The main goal of states is survival.
5. States are rational actors.

Question 11

What are three principles (propositions)?

Answer 11

1. Statism - states are the most important political actors
2. Survival is the ultimate goal - the most important goal is the thriving of the nation
3. Self-help - the state must do everything for itself and rely on no one else

Question 12

Contributions Hans Morgenthau made to the theory of realism

Answer 12

• The theory states that politics is governed by laws that have roots in human nature
• He accounts that every political action is directed toward keeping, increasing, or demonstrating power

Question 13

Contributions Kenneth Waltz made to the theory of realism

Answer 13

• Moved away from the realism theories related to human nature
• Waltz contribution states that rather than a state’s decisions and actions being based on human nature, all states are constrained by existing in an international anarchic system and any course of action they pursue is based on their relative power when measured against other states

Question 14

Balance of Power Theory

Answer 14

National security is enhances when power is divided evenly. All states have equal amounts of power.