POLS 4730 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Political Ethics, The Main Point, Henry Kissinger
Document Summary
In waltz"s view, the best ir theory is one that focuses centrally on the structure of the system, on its interacting units, and on the continuities and changes of the system. 87: the international society tradition is critical of realism on two counts: It regards realism as a one-dimensional ir theory that is too narrowly focused. It overlooks the cooperative strain in human nature. It also plays down the extent to which international politics are progressive; i. e. , cooperation instead of conflict can prevail in some circumstances. 93: realists usually have a pessimistic view of human nature. Realists are skeptical that there can be progress in international politics that is comparable to that in domestic political life. They operate with a core assumption that world politics consists of an international anarchy of sovereign states. International politics is thus portrayed as power politics".