GROUP 2 PRESENTATION

INTERNATIONAL
RELATION
REALISM

AB POLSCI 3C

Justin Jade Regalado

 What is
Realism?
Realism, in the arts, the accurate, detailed,
unembellished depiction of nature or of
contemporary
life.

What is Realism in
Politics?
A theory of political philosophy that attempts to
explain, model, and prescribe political relations. It
takes as its assumption that power is (or ought to
be) the primary end of political action, whether in
the domestic or international arena.
 The History of Realism
in International
relations.
Realism in international relations is a school of thought Its origins can be traced back to classical thinkers like
that emphasizes the role of power, self- Thucydides, who documented the power
interest, and competition among states as central factors struggles between Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece.
in shaping the behaviour of nations on the global stage. However, realism gained prominence as a
It emerged as a distinct theory in the mid-20th century, formal theory in the aftermath of World War II and during
drawing from earlier historical the Cold War.
roots.
 The History of Realism
in International
relations.
Realism's core principles include the anarchic Over time, realism has evolved into various
nature of the international system, the notion that subtypes, such as defensive and offensive realism,
states act rationally to maximize their interests and neorealism (structural realism), and classical
the importance of military and economic power.
realism. These variations explore different aspects
It contrasts with other theories, such as liberalism
and constructivism, which emphasize
of power dynamics and international behaviour,
cooperation, institutions, and norms as drivers adapting the core principles to changing
of international behavior. geopolitical landscapes.
 The History of Realism
in International
relations.
Realism remains a significant lens through which
scholars and policymakers analyse global politics,
offering insights into the motivations and actions of
states in the complex international arena..
Who
established
realism?
Hans J. Morgenthau (1904–1980) developed
realism into a comprehensive international
relations theory

Joshua Flores
 Realism in International Relations

Realism, set of related theories of international

relations that emphasizes the role of the state, national
interest, and power in world politics.

Realism has dominated the academic study of international

relations since the end of World War II.
Realists claim to offer both the most accurate explanation of
state behaviour and a set of policy
prescriptions (notably the balance of power between states) for
ameliorating the inherent destabilizing
elements of international affairs.
Basic
Features
of Realism
State as a pre-eminent and autonomous
actor in world politics.

- States enter international agreements,

and choose whether to abide by their
provisions, or not.
- According to International relations the
meaning of “Actor,” can be defined with the
capacity of having an impact in international
relations.
Catrizia Patrimonio
 State Actors International Anarchy

All the states like Indian state, chinese stage all

- In international relations theory, the concept of
those states which are connected to international
anarchy is the idea that the world lacks any supreme
politics are STATE ACTORS.
authority or sovereignty. In an anarchic state, there is
no hierarchically superior, coercive power that can
resolve disputes, enforce law, or order the system of
international politics.
Non-State Actors
- A central assumption of the realist approach to
Includes United Nations, regional organizations, anarchy is thus that the rules of the international
multi-national cooperations and etc. They could be system are dictated by anarchy.
defined to into different ways. One is a violent non-
state actor and the other one is non-violent non-
state actor.
 International relations is a realm of power and interest

In international relations, power is seen as a set of attributes people use to influence the actions of others.
One example of power is the use of economic aspects to gain political control over a certain area or country.
Values of national security and state survival

Values of national security and state survival

National security is the ability of a country's government to protect its citizens, economy, and other
institutions.
Today, some non-military levels of national security include economic security, political security, energy
security, homeland security, cybersecurity, human security, and environmental security.
To ensure national security, governments rely on tactics, including political, economic, and military
power, along with diplomacy.
Types of realism

Classical
realism
Classical Realism is one of the foundational
theories in international relations.
It focuses on understanding state behavior
through the lens of human nature and
historical patterns.
Developed in response to the aftermath of
World War I and the failure of the League
of Nations.
Influenced by thinkers like Thucydides,
Machiavelli, and Hobbes. Jesse Funtaniel
 Essential ideas:
Human Nature and Power: Classical realists emphasize the inherent nature of humans to seek power
and dominance.

State-Centric: States are the primary actors in international relations, acting in their own
self-interest.

National Interest: States prioritize their own security, survival, and power in a competitive world.

Tragic View of Politics: Classical realists believe that conflict and power struggles are inevitable
due to human nature.

Moral Considerations: While realists recognize the role of power, they acknowledge that morality
can influence state behavior to some extent.
Neo realism
Neorealism, also known as Structural
Realism, is a theory in international
relations that shifts
the focus from individual human nature to
the structural characteristics of the
international system. It seeks to
understand state behavior through the
lens of systemic constraints and the
distribution of power.
 Essential ideas:

Anarchy and Self-Help: According to neorealism, there is no centralized authority and the
international system is anarchic. States are driven to optimize their security and chances of
surviving, which results in a self-help strategy in which they rely on their own resources and abilities.

Structure over Human Nature: Unlike classical realism, neorealism places more emphasis on the
structure of the global order as its primary impact on state behavior. Despite taking human nature
into account, the system's power structure has a bigger overall impact.

Distribution of Power: The central concept of Neorealism is the distribution of power among states.
It categorizes systems into unipolarity (one dominant power), bipolarity (two major powers), and
multipolarity (multiple competing powers), each influencing state behavior differently.
Balance of Power: Neorealism emphasizes the importance of the balance of power to prevent any state
from becoming too dominant. States form alliances and adjust their strategies to
counterbalance potential threats.

Security Dilemma: A key phenomenon in Neorealism is the security dilemma. States; efforts to
enhance their own security can lead to increased tensions and arms races, as one state's defensive
measures are perceived as offensive by others.
 MAIN GOAL OF REALISM

The primary goal of Realism is to understand and explain how nations interact in the world by
focusing on their pursuit of power, security, and self-interest. It seeks to provide insights into
the dynamics of international politics by examining the motivations and behaviors of states as
they navigate the complex arena of global relations.
Realism in
Internationa
l Relations:
Importance
Allawali Jamahali II
Imagine the countries of the world as different friends who all want to make
sure they are safe and strong. Realism is like a way of thinking that helps
these friends understand how they should act with each other.
 Being Safe: Just like you want to be safe, countries want to be safe too. Realism helps countries understand
that they should always be ready to protect themselves in case someone tries to do something not nice to them.

Sharing Toys: Imagine you have a special toy that other kids want to play with. Realism helps countries know
that they should be careful about sharing their important things, like resources and power, because they want
to stay strong and not let others become too strong.

Making Friends: Realism reminds countries that while having friends is good, they should also be careful
because not everyone might have the best intentions. It's important to think about who can help and who
might cause problems
Learning from the Past: Just like you learn from your mistakes, countries can learn from things that happened
before. Realism helps them look at history and learn from what went well and what didn't go so well.

Cooperation and Competition: Realism teaches countries that it's okay to work together sometimes, but they
should also remember that they're competing to be strong. It's like playing a game where you want to win, but
sometimes you team up with others to do better.

Thinking Ahead: Realism is like thinking about what could happen in the future. Countries use this thinking to
plan and make decisions that will help them stay safe and strong for a long time.
 Realism in International Relations: Importance

Realism is important in international relations due to its practical and nuanced approach to understanding the
behavior of states and international actors on the global stage. Here's why realism holds significance:

Accurate Reflection of Human Nature: Realism acknowledges that states are motivated by self-interest,
power, and survival. This understanding aligns with the inherent competitive nature of human beings and
provides a more accurate basis for predicting state behavior.

State Security and Survival: Realism places a strong emphasis on national security as a primary concern for
states. This perspective is crucial in guiding a state's foreign policy decisions and strategies to protect its
sovereignty and survival.

Balancing Power Dynamics: Realism helps in analyzing and predicting how states balance power within the
international system. It highlights the pursuit of power by states to ensure their security and influence, which
in turn shapes alliances, conflicts, and cooperation.
 Global Stability: By acknowledging the absence of a global authority and the competition among states,
realism contributes to stability through a balance of power. This balance can deter aggression and prevent the
dominance of a single power.

Critical Analysis: Realism encourages critical thinking about international events, prompting a deeper
understanding of the underlying motives and interests of states.

Long-Term Strategy: Realism encourages states to consider the long-term implications of their actions, both
in terms of maintaining their security and navigating the ever-changing landscape of international relations
EXAMPLE OF
REALISM

WEST
PHILIPPINE
SEA
DISPUTE
let's imagine the West Philippine Sea as a
big playground with different kids who all
want to play with the same toys. This
playground is like the world, and the kids
are like countries.
 Now, imagine each kid really likes certain toys in the playground, like a cool slide or a fun swing.
These toys are like the islands and waters in the West Philippines Sea.

But here's where realism comes in:

Sharing Toys: Some of these kids want to have those special toys all to themselves. They think having those
toys will make them strong and popular. This is kind of like countries wanting to control islands and waters
in the West Philippine Sea to have more power and resources.

Being Friends and Rivals: Now, not all kids get along perfectly. Some kids are friends, but they also watch out
for each other because they know that things might not always be friendly. In the West Philippine Sea,
countries like the Philippines and Vietnam are friends with other countries, like the United States, to make
sure everyone plays nice.

Protecting What's Yours: Just like you want to keep your toys safe, countries want to protect their special
places. They use their boats and even soldiers to make sure no one takes away their special spots in the West
Philippine Sea.
Talking and Arguing: Just like when you have to talk to your friends to decide who gets to use the swing next,
countries talk and argue to figure out who gets to use the islands and waters. Sometimes they try to solve
problems by talking, but sometimes they don't agree and things can get a bit tricky.

Big and Small Friends: Some kids are bigger and stronger, and they can help their smaller friends if there's a
problem. In the same way, some countries are stronger and can help their smaller friends, like our neighboring
countries, when there's a disagreement in the West Philippine Sea.
REALISM:
Advantages

Julie Ann Tag-at

 _“Realism Reflects Historical Patterns:”
Realism draws from historical examples where power dynamics and national interests have
often played a significant role in shaping international relations. It provides a framework to
understand past events.

_"Emphasis on Security:"
Realism highlights the importance of a nations security and its ability to defend its interests,
which can lead to more pragmatic foreign policy decisions.

_"Balancing Power:"
Realism encourages countries to balance power and form alliances to ensure their security.
This can lead to stability and deter potential aggressors.
REALISM:
Disadvantages
 "Simplistic View:"
Realism tends to oversimplify international relations by focusing solely on power and
neglecting the impact of other factors such as ideology, culture, and economics.

"Conflict and Zero-Sum Thinking:"

The competitive nature of realism can foster conflict and a zero-sum mentality, potentially
hindering cooperation and peaceful solutions to global issues.

"Neglecting Non-State Actors:"

Realism often downplays the influence of non-state actors like multinational corporations,
NGOs, and terrorist groups, which play significant roles in today's interconnected world.
 "Lack of Moral Consideration:"
Realism's focus on national interest might lead to morally questionable decisions, as ethical
considerations are often secondary to the pursuit of power.

"Static View:"
Realism doesn't adequately account for changes in the global landscape over time, such as the
rise of globalization and the increasing importance of soft power.
REALISM FROM
HISTORY
AND INTO THE
PRESENT:

PAST
 "Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE):"
The conflict between Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece is often seen as an early example
of power politics and the struggle for dominance. Thucydides, a historian of that era,
highlighted how fear, self-interest, and the pursuit of power were driving forces behind the
war.

"Treaty of Westphalia (1648):"

The Peace of Westphalia that ended the Thirty Years; War is often cited as a pivotal moment
in the development of the modern nation-state system. It emphasized the principle of state
sovereignty, recognizing the authority of each state within its own borders and reflecting
realist notions of state self-interest and power.

"World War I (1914-1918):"

The complex system of alliances and the outbreak of World War I demonstrated the failure of
power balancing and the inability to manage rising tensions. The war's devastating
consequences underscored the importance of understanding power dynamics and avoiding
miscalculation.
 Present

"Cold War Rivalry"

The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union is a prime example of realism
in action. Both superpowers pursued military buildups, formed alliances, and engaged in
proxy conflicts to enhance their power and security. The realist perspective of balancing
power and deterrence was evident in the arms race and strategic alliances formed during this
period.

"Balance of Power:"
The formation of military alliances, such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, exemplified realist
principles of balancing power. Nations sought security through alliances to counteract the
strength of potential adversaries and to maintain stability in the face of power disparities.
 "Nuclear Deterrence:"
The development of nuclear weapons and the concept of mutually assured destruction
(MAD) during the Cold War demonstrated the realist idea that possessing significant military
power could discourage adversaries from initiating conflict. This principle contributed to
stability during tense periods of the Cold War.

"Competition for Resources:"

Realism was often visible in resource-related conflicts, such as the struggle for control over
oil-rich regions. The Gulf War of 1990-1991, triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait,
exemplified how states pursued their interests by securing vital resources.

In modern times, realism still influences international relations as states continue to prioritize
their security and seek to maximize their power and influence. However, the 21st century has
introduced complexities such as globalization, non-state actors, and transnational challenges,
which have led to adaptations of realist ideas.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING