Political Realism In International Relation

Realism has always been considered an important virtue for a state leader. Understandably, a reputation of a dreamer, or even worse of an unrestrained adventurer, would not win anyones support. It is particularly unsuitable for any man responsible for the destiny of a country. Realism (or political realism) is a school of thought that explains international relations in terms of power. The exercise of power by states toward each other is sometimes called realpolitik, or just power politics. Realist approach is an important approach related to the study of international Politics. It based on really and tries to explain International Politics in context to reality. This approach revolves around two important elements viz, security and power. The supporters of Realist Approach believe that struggle for power is reality and we can not understand International Politics by Kissinger. Hans. J. Morgenthau is considered the chief exponent ignoring this fact. Realist Approach is an old theory and it was there even in 18th and 19th century. But in International Politics this theory or view point became popular after Second World War and scholars like Max Weber, E.H. Car, Frederick Schuman, Nicholas Spykman, Reinhold Nicbuhr, Arnold Wolfers, Kenneth Thompson, George F. Kennan, Hans J. Morgenthau, Henry of Realist Approach. He has responsible for building a realist model of international relations which seeks to explain all aspects of the struggle for power among nations. Realism surfaced as a stronger, valid and logical theory in explaining the world politics as well as domestic politics during 15th and 16th century. Realism is sometimes described as dominant theory in the field of International Relations. Realism has been implicated in almost every major debate over the last half century. Theory of Political Realism is differentiated from other theories in its explanation of events around the world. Some of the scholars opine that Realists take a pessimistic view of international relations. The roots of realism can be traced back to olden days in the famous works from Greece, Rome, India and China. Realists arguments can be found in Kautiliyas Arthshastra. Kautilya focuses on the position of potential conqueror who always tries to maximize his power even at the expense of others. Modern realist theory developed in reaction to a liberal tradition that realists called idealism. Idealism emphasizes international law, morality, and international organization, rather than power alone, as key influences on international events. Idealists think that human nature is basically good. Realists ground themselves in a long tradition. In Political Science the history of Idealism is as old as that of Political Science. Famous Greek Philosopher Plato is considered the first idealist thinker. The Idealists without bothering for the past and present are concerned for the future and they want to lay down principles to make the future better. Plato had prepared an outline of an idealist State. Similarly, in the international politics the supporters of idealistic view also want to build some institutions and principles which become the guide for the coming generations and the politics based on power struggle could be eliminated. Mahatma Gandhi, Bertrant Russell, Woodrow Wilson, Aldous Huxley, William Ladd, Richard Cobben, Margret Mead, Herbert Butterfield, E. H.Car, Feviwic, Hyde, Quancy Wright, Colegrove etc are the main supporters of Idealistic Approach. Idealists were particularly active between World War I and World WarII, following the painful experience of World War I. After World War II, realists blamed idealists for looking too much at how the world ought to be instead of how it really is. Restrained by the experiences of World War II, realists set out to understand the principles of power politics without succumbing to wishful thinking.

Assumptions of Realism and Idealism: Issue Human Nature Most Important Actors Causes of State Behavior Nature of International System Realism Selfish States Rational pursuit of self-interest Anarchy Idealism Altruistic States and others including individuals Psychological motives of decision makers Community

Realism based on reality, rivalry and struggle for power is natural. According to the realism diplomacy is important and there is no importance in ideology. There are keen on reason based approach while maintaining the close relationship between reality and morality. But according to the idealism power is not central and there are practicing value based approach and emphasis on education, reason and science. We can see all these above factors as some of the characteristics of realism and idealism. Realists are blamed by other school of thoughts for being pessimist and showing the darker side of the picture, whereas they are not pessimist but assess the circumstances in the light of all the possible variables that can result in undesirable outcomes. Primary interest for every state is survival and security against possible external threats to its existence. States may cooperate with each other to minimize enemies and strengthening friendly relations with other counterparts. For this purpose states engage themselves in making alliances and conclude pacts with other states. But states always watch their interest carefully and remain very much cautious about relative gains. States demand a stable distribution of power in international system. Realism explains international relations in terms of power. Power can be conceptualized as influence or as capabilities that can create influence. Short-term power capabilities depend on long-term resources, both tangible and intangible. Realists consider military force the most important power capability. Realists do not always favor using military power, although they recognize the necessity of doing so at times. Realists assume that IR can be best (though not exclusively) explained by the choices of states operating as autonomous actors rationally pursuing their own interests in an international system of sovereign states without a central authority. For realists, ideologies do not matter much, nor do religions or other cultural factors with which states may justify their actions. Realists see states with very different religions, ideologies, or economic systems as quite similar in their actions with regard to national power. Today realism in politics takes on special significance comparatively to ancient days. The continued existence of life on this planet depends on the direct and consistent application of realistic principles to international relationships. Political realism, when practiced properly, first stood for an objective analysis of the existing political problem; then for the choice of the central or principle means for its solution; and finally, for a realistic estimate of the possibilities for achieving this aim and its subsequent implementation. This means that the practice of realism can never be set in concrete. It has to be flexible and change with the character of political life and facts of history. What was good yesterday may be totally useless today. Today, what is accepted without question may appear senseless tomorrow? Todays success may lead to disaster, if used in the near future. But all the theories are justifying their logic to some an extent but no to the great extent. In realism and idealism both have limitations in it selfs. Like in realism, it over emphasis on power while in idealism ignores the power factor. Realism ignores the Importance of values, importance of ideology and the importance of non-political relations while idealism has over importance to international institutions and over faith in the nature of individual. Simply Idealism is running without realism and realism is running without idealism. So to be the successful state there should be a balance between idealism and realism rather than going for a one extreme level.

References
Political Realism in International Relations - First published Mon 2010http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/realism-intl-relations/#ConCauPosChaRea Realism and International relation, by Jack Donnelly Cambridge University Press Realism - Dominating Theory in International Relations: An analysis, Berkeley Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 1, No. 7, 2011 Jul 26,