POLS 2940 Chapter 5: 5 Realism - The Globalization of World Politics (Baylis, Smith, Owens)
11 Jan 2019
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The globalization of world politics (baylis, smith, owens) Realism is the best way and lens through which we should examine world politics and international relations. Notes : realists believe that the approach of the idealists was fundamentally flawed because idealists: Overestimated the degree to which human beings were rational. Mistakenly believed that nation-states shared a set of common interests. Were overly optimistic about that humankind could overcome war. The great debate in the 1930s/1940s between idealists and realists. Realists emphasized the ubiquity of power and the competitive nature of politics among nations. The realists won and the rest of ir is footnotes to realism. Key characteristics of realism: focus on interests rather than ideology. Influenced by thucydides, machiavelli, hobbes and rousseau: raison d" tat = reason of the state. Plan to perpetuate itself in a hostile and threatening environment. Question of if the state must only pursue ethical means to get these objectives.
