Theories of International

Relations: Realism

Unit 4.3. Application of Realism

 Learning Outcomes

• To interpret IR through theory of Realism

 Realism and WWI
• First World War began thanks to the security dilemma, which
meant that any investments made in armaments by one state
had to be echoed by similar policies in the others.
• To balance against one another, the great powers of Europe
formed a pair of opposed alliances that were intended to deter
war, but actually made it easier for conflict to spread from the
borders of Serbia and Austria–Hungary to every corner conti-
nent.
 Realism and WWI
Causes of WWI During War Alliances

Militarism There were 2 alliances in Central Powers: Germany,

Alliance System this war: Central Powers Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria
Imperialism and Allied Powers & Ottoman Empire
Nationalism

Allied Powers: Great

Britain, France, Russia,
Italy, Romania & US
 Realism and WW II
• Hitler’s policy of Lebensraum reactivated the environment of
security dilemma, armaments and alliance system in Europe.
• Once again Europe divided into two camps between 1939 to
1945.
• Axis Powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan
• The Allied Powers—France, Great Britain, the United States,
the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China.
• This war fought to counter German aggression and hegemony
in Europe as well as Fascism in Italy and Japan.
 Cold War
• 1947 to 1990
• World divided into two camps
Capitalist Communist

• Key parties were US and western • Key parties were Soviet Union and
Europe eastern Europe
• Political ideology: Democracy • Political ideology: Marxism-Leninism
• Economic structure: Capitalism • Economic structure: Centralized
 Realism and Cold War
• During the Cold War, US Realists recommended a policy of
containment in which the USA strengthened and supported
anti-Communist states, even if this meant supporting gov-
ernments that were tyrannical.
• This was explained by the dual moral standard, in which a
state’s actions internationally are not subject to the same
ideas of right and wrong as actions taken domestically.
• When balancing against the power of another actor in the
international system, a state can balance internally by build-
ing up its own power or externally by allying with other ac-
tors.
Websites:
•https://www.e-ir.info/2018/02/27/introducing-realism-in-inter
national-relations-theory/
•https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/pol116/realism.htm

Books:
• World Politics by Charles Kegley
•International Relations by Joushua Goldstein

Youtube Resource:
•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnKEFSVAiNQ
•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW330ojy7I4