Hans Morgenthau’s “Six Principles
of Political Realism” outlines the basis for the international relations theory
of Realism. In the reading, Morgenthau puts forward that states that adopt the
principles of Realism put aside morals as they pertain to foreign policy and
tend to put power as a the sole driving condition for decision making. I agree
with Morgenthau’s Principles of Realism and in the theory of Realism as a whole
for situations brought up in the reading hold true in events that have taken
place and are still taking place to this day.
An
opening statement of Morgenthau’s explanation of Realism explains how the
primary decision makers for states make their decisions based on power.
“Statesman act of interest defined as power, and the evidence of history bears
that assumption out.” History does portray that statement to be true. Analyzing
the years of The Cold War the United States and The Soviet Union made the
majority of their decisions based on gaining power over the other. By 1975 the
U.S and the U.S.S.R had over 20,000 nuclear weapons and at the time the number
continued to grow. This occurred out of speculation of what the competitor was
doing and a drive to be the most powerful actor on the international stage, and
that drive was inspired by Realism. While these events occurred at the height
of The Cold War, competition to be the most powerful state continues.
Morgenthau
also puts forward that Realists will put aside morality in order to make
decision that are in the best interest of the state, and that interest will
always be for power. “Realism maintains that moral principles cannot be applied
to the actions of states in their abstract universal formulation, …” I agree
with this statement for Realists tend to think without factoring in morality
but rather using power for their respective state as the basis for
decision-making. “The individual may say, “Fiat
justitia, pereat mundus (Let justice be done, even if the world perish).”
History shows again why I believe Realism is the theory that many of the most
powerful states in the world follow this idealism. North Korea is a state that
is determined to maintain hegemony over its respective competitors. The United
Nations has placed numerous sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear program
but continues to place funds into a project deemed illegal instead of helping
its starving population. The North ignoring the moral option and continuing
with a project that they believe will give them more power shows how states
have adopted Realism.
Morgenthau’s
principles on Realism portray a nation in which power is the dominant driving
force and states are willing to put aside morality in order to attain dominance
over their respective rivals. I agree with this idealism primarily because
history has shown Realism at work both in the past and the present.
Morgenthau, Hans. “Six Principles
of Political Realism” in International Politics:
Enduring Concepts and
Contemporary Issues. edited by Robert J. Art and Robert Jervis. 8th ed. New
York: Pearson/Longman, 2007
You make a really good point that states often disregard morality for the sake of power and your argument is well supported by the inclusion of the North Korea example. I too agree that power and the goal of hegemony are often the most influential factors when states make decisions.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think a lot of people would argue that realism was more specific to the Cold War Era (with regard to the United States and the USSR), you have definitely proven that realism is still applicable today. Your argument was very strong, and while realism comes off as very pessimistic in some instances, you portrayed the theory as calculated and meticulous which made it seem more rational.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your argument that morality is often put aside when states seek to gain and keep power. Good example of North Korea, and I think another good example of this would be Syria. Although the struggle in Syria where Assad allegedly gassed his own people is on a much smaller scale of trying to gain and keep power within his own state, the aspect of disregarding morality to keep power is still present.
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