IR Theory seminar 5-6 October 2017 + Classical Realism CAT HITS Morgenthau's six principles of political realism 1. Politics, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature. 2. Interest in politics is defined in terms of power 3. But - the meaning of power is not fixed (changes over time) 4. Universal moral principles cannot be applied to the actions of states in the abstract 5. The moral laws that govern the universe are distinct for the morals of any one nation 6. The difference between political realism and other schools is real and profound Seminar Questions: 1. For Morgenthau, and other realists, it is self-evident that the incidence of violence is greater at the international than the domestic level. To what extent to you agree with this? 2. Arnold Wolfers, cited in Morgenthau (1972, p. 30), observed that countries occupied a spectrum of power with the pole of power at one end and the pole of indifference at the other. Consider states in the international arena today, which states would you place at the pole of power and which at the pole of indifference? Why? 3. According to Morgenthau, 'the law of politics is rooted in human nature, which is self-seeking, self-interested, and power-loving.' Discuss this idea of political power in relation to one of the following scenarios: the civil war in Syria; the US war in Afghanistan; the annexation of the Crimea by Russia; the Rohingya crisis. 4. Can war break out even when nobody intends it to? Give examples to support your argument. How would classical realists explain this? 5. Do you agree with Morgenthau that many actions undertaken by states in the international arena (e.g. trade, humanitarian assistance) are not political? 6. Is Classical Realism anything more than the ideology of powerful, satisfied states?