POLD09H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Hegemony, Security Dilemma
Document Summary
Classical realism: human nature is flawed, and therefore our relations on the international stage are also sub-optimal human nature is selfish and fearful (and arguably idiotic) Nasty, brutish and short: hobbes: without a state, human beings live in a state of anarchy. The neo-realist shift: neo-realist moved away from the classical focus on human nature, and argue that the anarchic nature of the international system causes states to behave aggressively. Core neo-realist assumptions: 1) the international system is anarchic. States are the most important actors in the international system. 4) the primary concern of states is survival. Democracies and authoritarian governments will act the same way. Anarchy is scary: without security guarantees, states cant be sure of each others intentions, leading to conflict and war. 4) size matters: states balance against each other. Who are the actors neo-realism: states are the primary actors in international relations.
