POLS 4200 Chapter Notes -Offensive Realism, Hubris, Hegemony
13 Oct 2013
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Document Summary
Classical realists tend to envision states, in the abstract, as essentially rational, purposeful, and motivated, but they do not see states as hyper- rationalist automatons. This may not result in an elegant theory, but it does offer a disciplined and general approach to the study of world politics and a guide to statecraft. And classical realism can do a better job when applied to important, practical questions, like the rise of china. Classical realist have a pessimistic view of humanity and of the prospects for fundamental progress in the human nature (6); sees outcomes determined by power, war (establish power and military primacy). States always want more; there have been very few states in history that have stopped wanting more" [militarily and economically]. ( exercise for power always appears to beget the appetite for more power carr, 7). Classical realists believe it is more rational to engage, rather than confront. China is the wiser strategy, compared to offensive realism.
