The document discusses different perspectives on realism in international relations. It begins by summarizing key events related to the Bretton Woods system and the Marshall Plan. It then discusses the Melian Dialogue case study on realism and power politics. The Athenians assert their military dominance over the Melians, exemplifying realist views of power determining justice. The document defines realism as states pursuing self-interest and power in an anarchic system. It outlines the basic assumptions of realism and contrasts them with idealism. It also examines different traditions in realism through thinkers like Thucydides, Hobbes, Machiavelli, and Rousseau. The evolution and different types of realism are summarized,

2. Bretton Woods
Agreement-1944

3. Marshal Plan
1948
$12 Bn

4. Case Study No. 1
The Melian Dialogue-
Realism and the
Preparation for War

5. THE MELIAN DIALOGUES
ATHENIANS: THE REALISTS
• The standard of justice depends on the
equality of power
• This is no fair fight, it is rather a
question of saving your lives and not
resisting those who are far too strong
for you.
• It is law of nature to rule whatever one
can.
• Anybody else with the same power as
ours would be acting in precisely the
same way.
• If one follows one’s self-interest one
MELIANS: THE IDEALIST
• You should not destroy a principle: fair
play and just dealing
• It is difficult to oppose your power;
gods will give us fortune as good as
yours.
• Our decision, Athenians, is just the
same as it was at first. We are not
prepared to give up in a short moment
the liberty which our city has enjoyed
from its foundation for 700 years.

6. THE MELIAN DIALOGUE
• Athenian Leaders who arrived on the island of Melos to assert their right of conquest over the
islanders: Practicing Realist Theory
• What the Athenians are asserting over the Melians is the logic of power politics: Definition-
Realism
• Because of their vastly superior military force: Balance of Power
• The Melians were forced to submit to the realist iron law that power politics prevail in human
affairs: Nature of state, Classical Realism
• The standard of justice depends on the equality of power: Necessity of power to resolve
conflict, Equilibrium of power
• Power is law of nature: power politics is natural
• This is the safe rule – to stand up to one’s equals: struggle for power
• Anybody else with the same power as ours would be acting in precisely the same way. Human

7. REALISM
R E A L P O L I T I C S O R P O W E R P O L I T I C S
“ W O R L D P O L I T I C S A S T R U G G L E F O R P O W E R ” H O B B E S

8. DEFINITION OF REALISM
“Realism is a paradigm based on
the premise that world politics is
essentially and unchangeably at
struggle among self-interested state
for power and position under
anarchy, with each competing state
pursuing its own national interests”
( Kegley)
Rational
Concept
Relative
Concept

9. BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF REALISM
• The theory of Realism built upon from certain assumptions, mentioned below
• Human Nature is imperfect and imperfectible
• Human beings in order to achieve self-interest do not hesitate to destroy others
when and where he gets an opportunity. Likewise countries follows
• The National interest of various countries are sometime conflicting
• Different interests can lead to war and other form of conflicts
• A country’s power is crucial in determining the outcome of conflict and also to
influence other countries.
• Every country tries to increase its power which is fixed doctrine
• Thus, there is contest of power going on in the world and this can neither be
controlled nor regulated by international law or any international organization.
• International politics, then, is aimed at increasing power, keeping power or
demonstrating power.

10. BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF IDEALISM
Realism is totally oppose to Idealism, the difference can be
measure from assumptions of Idealism.
• The Current international system is based on upon power
politics
• It is temporary and passing phase of history
• When this phase will pass, a new future society will emerge.
The new society will be based on morality, non-violence,
harmony and brotherhood.
• In the emerging societies the interest of various groups are
likely to be adjusted in the larger interest of the mankind as a
whole.

11. CORE ELEMENTS: AREAS
 Statism
 Survival
 Self-help

12. TRADITIONS
R E A L P O L I T I C S O R P O W E R P O L I T I C S
“ W O R L D P O L I T I C S A S T R U G G L E F O R P O W E R ” H O B B E S

13. Doctrine Of
Raison D'état
• It is French word which means national interests
• It refers to the goals and ambitions of sovereign
states, i.e., economy, military, and culture etc.
• It is the notion of foreign policy
• States are struggling for balance of national interest

14. Ethical Conduct: Realist vs Moral
Principles
• Realist are sceptical of the idea that universal moral
principles exits
• Warn leaders against scarifying their own interest-identity
principle
• Survival of state require distancing from morality
• State leaders should not be Christian values, but political
necessity- Secularity
• Proponent of Raison D'état often speak of a Dual Moral
Standard

15. Is realism completely immoral?
Yes/No
No

16. NAMES OF SOME FAMOUS REALIST
SCHOLARS
 Thucydides
 Thomas Hobbes
 Niccolò Machiavelli
 J. Rousseau

17. Thucydides:
Law of Nature
Power politics is the law of nature
 there are two fundamental aspect of human nature;
desire for power & self interest
 the behaviors of states are egoist
 national interest of the Sparta was survival


18. Thomas Hobbe:
State of Nature
 Men are by nature equal in the state of
nature
 All men have a restless desire for
power that cease only in death

19. Machiavelli
He need to ensure the survival of the state by any
mean were derived from human nature
It is better to feared than loved
 A Prince should act like both a loin and fox
 It is sometime necessary to learn how no to be good

20. Hans Rousseau:
Social Contract
Demanded, leave the state of nature and form a social
contract
 Social contract establishes sovereignty
 Sovereignty should reflect general will of people
 contract legitimate the exercise of authority
 Rousseau didn’t blame human nature but anarchy

21. EVOLUTION OF REALISM
 Peloponnesian War 416 BC - Now Case Study
 Asthashastra
 Great Debate 1940 AD
 Idealism

22. TYPES OF REALISM
Types of Realism are as follows
• Classical Realism- Morgenthau-
• Neo-Realism- Kenneth Waltz-Theory of International Realism
• Neo-Classical Realism
• Defensive Structural Realism
• Offensive Structural Realism
• Rise and Fall Realism

23. Classical Realism
Morgenthau
• He identified Status quo, imperialism, & prestige; root in human nature for power
• Securing physical survival
Morgenthau, “the choice between national interest and moral was false choice.”
• Balance of power is essential to preserve the liberty of the state
• Balance of power seeks equilibrium of power; WARSA PACT, NATO

24. Neorealism
Kenneth Waltz
• Doesn’t blame human nature, but other factors; security competition,
inter-state conflict, difficulty in achieving international cooperation, etc..
• Neorealist structure of international relations
1) Organizing Principles; anarchy, hierarchy
2) Differentiation of Unites; democracy, dictatorship
3) Distribution of capabilities; balance of power
• Neorealist provide ranking order of states; bipolar, unipolar
• Ultimate aim of state is not power, but security [states are security
maximizers]
Anarchy
Security
Dilemm
Power
Balance
of

25. Neoclassical Realism
Gideon Rose
It places domestic politics as an intervening
variable between the distribution of power
and foreign policy behaviour-domestic
stability

26. Offensive Realism
John Mearsheimer
• To ensure survival, it is best to become the most powerful state of the
region/globe
• State should struggle for best state of the world
• States seek regional hegemony
• hegemony; flows dominance principles

27. Defensive Realism
Kenneth Waltz
•State must seek power enough for
security
• It is foolish to go for excessive power; /c
it provoke hostility

28. In classical realism emphasis is given on flawed nature of human beings
as a source of international conflict.
In case of neo realism it is not only flawed human nature but also absence
of governing authority over nation-states in international politics that lead
to anarchy in international politics.
For neo classical realism it is not only flawed human nature or absence of
global authority in international politics but domestic variables (state
leaders, state society relation and state identity) of nation state also
influences its foreign policy.
Defensive realism argues that anarchical structure of the international
system encourages states to have moderate and reserved policies for its
own security. Hence it believes in maximization of security.
In contrast offensive realism argues that states tend to maximize their
power and influence to achieve security through domination and
hegemony.

29. Opposing Opinions
Is Us Hegemony
Durable Or Fleeting
FOR
• US power is
unmatched
• Absence of balancing
• Decline is not
inevitable
AGAINST
• US relative power is
declining
• Balancing is occurring
• Decline is inevitable