Assumptions are logical beliefs and are very important as these are building blocks of a theoretical approach. For example, you assume that man is selfish by nature; or that he is a social animal who loves to cooperate and live peacefully with other human beings. These assumptions together help explain a problem and provide coherence to a perspective or approach to IR. For these reasons, it is important to know the core assumptions of Realism that it uses as its basic tools to make sense of the International Relations (Legro and Moravcsik, 1999).
ii) States are the Primary Actors in the International System This assumption of Realism has three expressed meanings: i) International politics is a domain of conflict between and among sovereign states. Conflictual interaction among these sovereign states is the core of international politics. (ii) States in international politics are sovereign, unitary and rational actors. At least at conceptual level, sovereign states are supremely powerful, unified with fixed political goals and they do cost benefit analyses. (iii) In its interaction with other states, each state seeks to promote and guarantee its own ‘interest’. The foremost interest of each state is its own security and expansion of its power. (iv) In order to ensure its own security, each state seeks to secure and accumulate power. Power alone deters others from attacking it. In other words, every state is out to enhance and expand its capability at the cost of other states.
ii. IR is Anarchic in Character In Realism, ‘anarchy’ defines International Relations. Anarchy means that there is no “central authority” or “world government” to manage or put in order the international relations among sovereign states which are distrustful of each other and which, out of a sense of insecurity, accumulate more and more power so as to become ‘secure’. ‘Anarchy’ is an assumed political condition in which there is no world authority to enforce order. This assumed condition “frees” the state to undertake cost-benefit calculations and act towards its self-interest or “national interest” by depending solely on its own capability. Capability – military, technological, economic, and political– must continue to expand and become formidable; otherwise the state may risk its life and protection.
iii) Control over Material Resources is Fundamental to World Politics In order to enhance its capability, every state is constantly striving to gain maximum control over the material resources and this tendency to control is fundamental to the world politics. Realism tries to justify this assumption by linking it with other assumptions that the approach fosters. States are motivated to have control over material resources because i) there is no central authority to reasonably distribute the resources among its constituent units; ii) the material resources are not in abundance; and iii) the material resources add to the coercive capacity of a state against its counterparts which is critical in an anarchic political set up. These reasons motivate a state to acquire more and more capability.
Notes
Hans Morgenthau is the "founding father" of classical realism, and his book Politics Among Nations (1948) remains the definitive text for understanding how states behave on the world stage. He argues that politics is governed by objective laws rooted in human nature, rather than by idealistic or moral aspirations.
Here are Morgenthau’s six principles of political realism:
1. Politics is Governed by Objective Laws
Morgenthau asserts that politics, like society in general, is governed by laws that have their roots in human nature. Because human nature is constant and hasn't changed since classical times, we can develop a rational theory to understand international relations.
Key takeaway: To improve society, we must first understand the laws by which it lives, rather than trying to change them through wishful thinking.
2. Interest Defined in Terms of Power
This is the "main signpost" of Morgenthau’s theory. He argues that states do not act out of altruism or ideology; they act to protect their national interest, which is always defined as power.
Key takeaway: By assuming that statesmen think and act in terms of interest defined as power, we can understand their actions regardless of their personal motives or religious preferences.
3. Interest is Not Fixed
While the concept of interest is consistent, the content of interest can change. "Interest" is the essence of politics, but the way a state defines its specific needs depends on its political and cultural context at a given time.
Key takeaway: Power isn't just military force; it can be anything that establishes and maintains control of man over man.
4. Universal Moral Principles Cannot be Applied to State Actions
Realism is aware of the moral significance of political action, but it argues that a state cannot sacrifice itself for a moral "ideal." A state’s primary duty is to its own survival.
Key takeaway: While an individual can say "Let justice be done even if the world perishes," a state has no right to say that on behalf of its people. The "supreme virtue" in politics is prudence, not morality.
5. No State Has a Monopoly on Virtue
Morgenthau warns against the danger of a nation identifying its own specific aspirations with the moral laws of the universe. Just because a country claims it is acting "for the good of the world" doesn't mean it is.
Key takeaway: If we look at all nations as entities pursuing their own interests through power, we can be fairer to all of them and avoid the "crusading spirit" that leads to unnecessary wars.
6. The Autonomy of the Political Sphere
The political realist maintains the autonomy of the political sphere, just as an economist or a lawyer does with theirs. The realist asks: "How does this policy affect the power of the nation?" rather than "Is this policy morally right or legally sound?"
Key takeaway: Realism is a distinct way of looking at the world that prioritizes the "political man" over the "moral man" or the "religious man."
Morgenthau’s realism can feel a bit cynical, but he viewed it as a way to prevent conflict by managing the world as it is, rather than how we want it to be.
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