PSCI 3601 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Exam Guide - International Law, Human Rights, Anarchy
20 Nov 2018
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Thucydides, machiavelli, hobbes, etc: from europe (realpolitik, 19th c. ) to the u. s. (20th c. , conjunctures of modern realism, realist theory and foreign policy, the rhetorical power of realism (vs. idealism ) Statism: states = the principal actors in international relations (premise: politics is based on groups, not individuals) but this could change, states are unitary actors ( black boxes : form of government and society are secondary) But domestic and international politics are not fundamentally different: states are (to be treated as) rational actors (weigh consequences of actions; maximize the. National interest ) despite many actual irrational actions: sovereign state is the boundary of community ( the good life ) but values, morality, justice, law play a role and yield the possibility of international community. Human nature and morality 1st image: emphasis on the dark side of human nature: selfishness, lust for power, aggression. But co-existence is possible: dual moral standard for domestic and int"l sphere.
