POLI 244 Lecture Notes - Hans Morgenthau, Offensive Realism, Instrumental And Value Rationality
6 Aug 2012
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Tuesday, july 10, 2012: realism (one of the main macro theories) Strands of realism: classical- the earlier form of realism, which paved the way for neo-realism. Some aspects have made a comeback recently neo classicalism : neorealism/structural realism (a more recent, popular and prominent strand). Can be broken down into offensive and defensive realists: there are other, less prominent or well-known theories as well. Anarchy- one of the major assumptions of the international system, neorealism relies on anarchy a lot. Criticisms of realism are critiquing them on the concept of anarchy. One of the oldest theories in politics. Hobbes, machiavelli, thucydides were the roots, but the modern father is hans. It believes states are the most important actors in the international system and the only ones with any real power because they are the only ones with legitimacy through sovereignty.
