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Theories of IR: Realism Study Guide With Approved
Solutions | Graded A+
A theory is a simplifying device that allows you to decide which historical or contemporary
facts matter more than others when trying to develop an understanding of the world. A theory
represents a way of making the world or some part of it more intelligible or better
understood. Theories of IR aspire to achieve a better description and explanation of the things
we observe. - Correct Answer-What is a theory?
Realism is considered the most dominant school of thought in International Relations;
1. It is the exercise of power by states towards each other and it is called "power politics" or
"real politik";
2. All the realists share the belief that states are unitary actors (main actors) motivated by the
desire for military power and security rather than ideals and ethics;
3. Realists view human nature as selfish, conflictual, and competitive, and believe that states
are inherently aggressive (offensive realism) or obsessed with security (defensive realism);
4. Realism values order and does not welcome change (it is status-quo-oriented). - Correct
Answer-What are the main features of the Realism theory of International Relations?
Classical Realism and Neorealism - Correct Answer-What are the branches of Realism?
Classical Realism is a conservative theory that considers states as the only actors in
international relations and gives importance to military power and maximization of power. -
Correct Answer-What is Classical Realism?
Neorealism was developed by K. Waltz and it emphasizes power distribution. - Correct
Answer-What is Neorealism?
Defensive Realism and Offensive Realism - Correct Answer-What are the two branches of
Neorealism?
Defensive Realism argues that states are security maximizers. - Correct Answer-What is
Defensive Realism?
Offensive realism argues that states are power maximizers. - Correct Answer-What is
Offensive Realism?
Thucidides (the founder of the school) (460 B.C.E.) in his book "History of the
Peloponnesian War," he mentioned that the main reason for this war was the growth of the
Athenian power and the fear it caused in Sparta. - Correct Answer-Who is Thucidides and
what did he contribute to the Realist theory of International Relations?
Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was widely condemned for his cyncial advices or ways how
government should be constructed. Most of his advices introduces many policies of realism,
such as human beings being selfish, conflictual, and competitive beings. - Correct Answer-
1
, 2
Who was Nicolo Machiavelli and what did he contribute to the Realist theory of International
Relations?
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is a famous philosopher from the 19th century who promoted
Realism through his writing and introduced terms like the Balance of Power and real politik.
His book, "Leviathan," helped in establishing the modern system of the states. - Correct
Answer-Who was Thomas Hobbes and what did he contribute to the Realist theory of
International Relations?
Thomas Carr (1892-1982) gave a systemic approach for the analysis of causes and
consequences of events. He widely criticized the liberal approach to international relations. -
Correct Answer-Who was Thomas Carr and what did he contribute to the Realist theory of
International Relations?
Hans J. Morgenthau (1904-1980) systemized Classical Realism. One of his most famous
works include "Politics among nations," which became the capstone of the state's politics. -
Correct Answer-Who was Hans J. Morgenthau and what did he contribute to the Realist
theory of International Relations?
-International Relations is governed by laws that have their roots in human nature;
-States have particular interests (ex. maximize power);
-States are the only actors in International Relations;
-Interests of states are permanent;
-There is no universal code of ethics or morality;
-Politics is autonomous. It has its own rules from ethics and morality. - Correct Answer-What
are the Six Principles of World Politics that was introduced by Hans J. Morgenthau?
Human Nature, Anarchy, Self-help. Statism, Survival, Power, Security Dilemma, Balance of
Power, Hegemony, Polarity - Correct Answer-What are ten essential concepts for
understanding realism?
Human motivation is seen to be at the root of conflict and violent conflict in a constant
feature of social life. The state only pursues moral goals if they are seen as contributing to the
state's survival. Otherwise, there are no moral restraints that would make states refrain from
going to war with each other, as long as war helps to fulfil a state's goals. - Correct Answer-
What is Human Nature in Realism?
Anarchy is a system operating in the absence of any central government. It does not imply
chaos, but the absence of political authority. - Correct Answer-What is Anarchy?
Realists believe that the situation of anarchy is permanent; Internally, the states have solved
the problem of order and established security by establishing their sovereignty. Externally,
however, there is no one to guarantee the sovereignty and that means that international
relations are happening in an anarchical world. - Correct Answer-What is Anarchy in
Realsim?
Sovereignty implies the ability to control the territory to enforce the rules and laws, as well as
punish those who do not follow them. - Correct Answer-What is sovereignty?
Statism, Self-Help, Survival - Correct Answer-What are the three Ss of Realism?
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Theories of IR: Realism Study Guide With Approved
Solutions | Graded A+
A theory is a simplifying device that allows you to decide which historical or contemporary
facts matter more than others when trying to develop an understanding of the world. A theory
represents a way of making the world or some part of it more intelligible or better
understood. Theories of IR aspire to achieve a better description and explanation of the things
we observe. - Correct Answer-What is a theory?
Realism is considered the most dominant school of thought in International Relations;
1. It is the exercise of power by states towards each other and it is called "power politics" or
"real politik";
2. All the realists share the belief that states are unitary actors (main actors) motivated by the
desire for military power and security rather than ideals and ethics;
3. Realists view human nature as selfish, conflictual, and competitive, and believe that states
are inherently aggressive (offensive realism) or obsessed with security (defensive realism);
4. Realism values order and does not welcome change (it is status-quo-oriented). - Correct
Answer-What are the main features of the Realism theory of International Relations?
Classical Realism and Neorealism - Correct Answer-What are the branches of Realism?
Classical Realism is a conservative theory that considers states as the only actors in
international relations and gives importance to military power and maximization of power. -
Correct Answer-What is Classical Realism?
Neorealism was developed by K. Waltz and it emphasizes power distribution. - Correct
Answer-What is Neorealism?
Defensive Realism and Offensive Realism - Correct Answer-What are the two branches of
Neorealism?
Defensive Realism argues that states are security maximizers. - Correct Answer-What is
Defensive Realism?
Offensive realism argues that states are power maximizers. - Correct Answer-What is
Offensive Realism?
Thucidides (the founder of the school) (460 B.C.E.) in his book "History of the
Peloponnesian War," he mentioned that the main reason for this war was the growth of the
Athenian power and the fear it caused in Sparta. - Correct Answer-Who is Thucidides and
what did he contribute to the Realist theory of International Relations?
Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was widely condemned for his cyncial advices or ways how
government should be constructed. Most of his advices introduces many policies of realism,
such as human beings being selfish, conflictual, and competitive beings. - Correct Answer-
1
, 2
Who was Nicolo Machiavelli and what did he contribute to the Realist theory of International
Relations?
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is a famous philosopher from the 19th century who promoted
Realism through his writing and introduced terms like the Balance of Power and real politik.
His book, "Leviathan," helped in establishing the modern system of the states. - Correct
Answer-Who was Thomas Hobbes and what did he contribute to the Realist theory of
International Relations?
Thomas Carr (1892-1982) gave a systemic approach for the analysis of causes and
consequences of events. He widely criticized the liberal approach to international relations. -
Correct Answer-Who was Thomas Carr and what did he contribute to the Realist theory of
International Relations?
Hans J. Morgenthau (1904-1980) systemized Classical Realism. One of his most famous
works include "Politics among nations," which became the capstone of the state's politics. -
Correct Answer-Who was Hans J. Morgenthau and what did he contribute to the Realist
theory of International Relations?
-International Relations is governed by laws that have their roots in human nature;
-States have particular interests (ex. maximize power);
-States are the only actors in International Relations;
-Interests of states are permanent;
-There is no universal code of ethics or morality;
-Politics is autonomous. It has its own rules from ethics and morality. - Correct Answer-What
are the Six Principles of World Politics that was introduced by Hans J. Morgenthau?
Human Nature, Anarchy, Self-help. Statism, Survival, Power, Security Dilemma, Balance of
Power, Hegemony, Polarity - Correct Answer-What are ten essential concepts for
understanding realism?
Human motivation is seen to be at the root of conflict and violent conflict in a constant
feature of social life. The state only pursues moral goals if they are seen as contributing to the
state's survival. Otherwise, there are no moral restraints that would make states refrain from
going to war with each other, as long as war helps to fulfil a state's goals. - Correct Answer-
What is Human Nature in Realism?
Anarchy is a system operating in the absence of any central government. It does not imply
chaos, but the absence of political authority. - Correct Answer-What is Anarchy?
Realists believe that the situation of anarchy is permanent; Internally, the states have solved
the problem of order and established security by establishing their sovereignty. Externally,
however, there is no one to guarantee the sovereignty and that means that international
relations are happening in an anarchical world. - Correct Answer-What is Anarchy in
Realsim?
Sovereignty implies the ability to control the territory to enforce the rules and laws, as well as
punish those who do not follow them. - Correct Answer-What is sovereignty?
Statism, Self-Help, Survival - Correct Answer-What are the three Ss of Realism?
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