POL 2103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Hans Morgenthau, Masculinity
(Political) Realism:
- A method of putting into perspective the IR events that occur as a means of
analyzing, understanding, and maybe even predicting/preventing future
problems.
- Primarily puts global relationships in terms of a balance of power
- “Realistic” -- wins the name game
- Response in contrast to idealism to understand why the world wars occured.
Same world, different analysis of it with a heavier focus on some factors over
others
- Since there is no global
government, certain
countries have more power
over others and therefore
get to set the agenda or
basically do whatever they
want.
- It is unwise to choose
“International peace” or any other abstract ideal agenda over one’s own national
interests.
Classical (Political) Realism
- In essence, the exercise of states based on a selfish interest of attaining or
taking away power relatively in the global political sphere from one’s adversaries
- Hans Morgenthau argues that psychological motives of the decision makers do not
matter, because systems are designed to push out incompetence
- There is no universal code of conduct that would mean a State is in an (objectively)
“right” or “wrong” position
- Practical & prudent foreign policy decisions, not based too much on other state’s
interests
Gender Theories
- Gender matters in understanding IR, especially war & securitization
- Is Realism inherently “masculine”?
- Feminists critique of gender concepts pertaining to IR linked to the construction of
certain divides in the Public, Political, domestic or private sphere
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
A method of putting into perspective the ir events that occur as a means of analyzing, understanding, and maybe even predicting/preventing future problems. Primarily puts global relationships in terms of a balance of power. Response in contrast to idealism to understand why the world wars occured. Same world, different analysis of it with a heavier focus on some factors over others. Since there is no global government, certain countries have more power over others and therefore get to set the agenda or basically do whatever they want. International peace or any other abstract ideal agenda over one"s own national interests. In essence, the exercise of states based on a selfish interest of attaining or taking away power relatively in the global political sphere from one"s adversaries. Hans morgenthau argues that psychological motives of the decision makers do not matter, because systems are designed to push out incompetence.