PSC 204 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: John Mearsheimer, Security Dilemma, Defensive Realism
11 Sep 2017
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Psc: the globalization of world politics chapter 6: realism. Realism is the dominant theory in international relations because it provides the most powerful explanation for the state of war that is the regular condition of life in the international system. Idealists focused most of their attention on understanding the cause of war so as to prevent it. Realists argued against this because the idealists ignored the role of power and were too optimistic that mankind could overcome war. Took pla(cid:272)e i(cid:374) late (cid:1005)9(cid:1007)(cid:1004)(cid:859)s a(cid:374)d earl(cid:455) (cid:1005)9(cid:1008)(cid:1004)(cid:859)s (cid:271)et(cid:449)ee(cid:374) the i(cid:374)ter-war idealists and a new generation of realists. Realism taught foreign policy officials to focus on interests rather than ideology, to seek peace through strength, and recognize that great powers can coexist. Ealis(cid:373) offers so(cid:373)e ki(cid:374)d of (cid:858)(cid:373)a(cid:374)ual(cid:859) for (cid:373)a(cid:454)i(cid:373)izi(cid:374)g the i(cid:374)terests of the state i(cid:374) a hostile environment. Why, in part, it remains the dominant tradition in world politics.
