International Relations

Realism vs . Neo-realism

To what extent has neo-realism addressed the limitations of classical realism

Classical realism and neo-realism , although oftentimes used interchangeably , has several divergence points . One of the main distinctions of the two traditions is that the classical realist theory gives premium to the roles of the human nature as a determining factor of an actor 's motivation and behavior . Conversely , the neo-realism rejects reliance on the human nature , and instead argues that actions and interests are shaped by the reality of anarchy in international politics , regardless of any

human characteristics or domestic pressures and structures . Apart from this difference , classical realism and neo-realism disagrees on the dynamics of power and interests of states with the latter regarding classical realism as reductionist , with its high regard for a simple power-action process , while neo-realism offers more supposedly sophisticated explanations for state behavior and international realities

The main assumption of the classical realist tradition is that it is the nation-state that plays the dominant role in global politics International relations should focus on the dynamics of interaction of these principal political actors . This international dynamics is to be distinguished with domestic politics , as the two are to be considered separate situations with very different structures , functions , and organizing logic . In this scrutiny of the vibrancy of the global interaction and interface , it is to be assumed that the role of the state is the achievement of maximum power , which is in line with the realist definition of politics which primarily focuses on utility maximization and power accumulation

A number of well-known scholars in international relations abide by the principles and supports the claims of classical realism , among them Machiavelli , whose conception of power in his book The Prince is indeed realist in the contemporary sense , and other authors like Hobbes and Morgenthau . Machiavelli inspires complete devotion of the political actor to power accumulation , which must be essentially and necessarily unblemished by moral and ethical values , as it prescribes resort to any means to achieve and maintain power . Hobbes meanwhile views human as self-serving , but writing that life is nasty , brutish , and short he recommends a leviathan leader to be the central authority figure to conclude the society 's constant state of war and conflict . Morgenthau has contributed the six principles of political realism , first of which is the existence of objective laws to govern politics second political interests are being defined by power third , national survival as the motivation of the nation-state fourth , the absence of moral principles of the state fifth , the absence of morals in foreign policy and lastly , the political sphere as an autonomous realm

The neo-realist tradition is the response of various scholars to the need to revise aspects of classical realism . Neo-realism retains the importance of power as the primary motivation of political actors regarding it as a means to achieve a certain end , but , not the end itself . The power of the political actor is then an instrument for maintenance of security and survival , the...