Jonah Patel
Neorealism, alongside neoliberalism, is one of the two most influential contemporary approaches to international relations. It is a theory that emerged from the North American discipline of political science, reformulating classical realist traditions. Neorealism is subdivided into defensive and offensive neorealism. Defensive neorealism is cautious and focused on safety, while offensive neorealism is more aggressive and zero-sum in its view of state behaviour. Neorealists believe that the structure of the international system, which has no overarching authority, is the main reason why states act the way they do. This structure, according to neorealists, is defined by remarkable continuity across space and time, and the trajectory of international relations is explained by the distribution of power across units in the system. Neorealism has been criticised for neglecting the role of institutions and downplaying ideology. So, do neorealists believe in diplomacy?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Focus on power and safety | Power, safety |
| Pessimistic view of international relations | Pessimism |
| States are independent and rational actors | Individualism, rationality |
| Anarchy | Anarchy |
| Bipolarity | Bipolarity |
| Structural constraints determine behavior | Structural constraints |
| Emphasis on structure over human nature | Structure, human nature |
| War is a possibility at any time | War |
| Suspicion of international institutions | Suspicion |
| Self-interest | Self-interest |
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What You'll Learn
- Neorealism is pessimistic about diplomacy, believing that long-lasting peace is unlikely
- Neorealists focus on power structures, not human nature, as the main driver of state behaviour
- Neorealists are sceptical of international institutions and cooperation
- Neorealism is subdivided into defensive and offensive neorealism
- Neorealism is distinct from classical realism and neoliberalism
Neorealism is pessimistic about diplomacy, believing that long-lasting peace is unlikely
Neorealism, also known as structural realism, is a contemporary approach to international relations that emerged from the North American discipline of political science. It is characterised by its focus on the structure of the international system and its belief that structural constraints, rather than human nature, are the primary determinants of behaviour in international relations.
Neorealism takes a pessimistic view of diplomacy and the prospects for long-lasting peace. This is because neorealists believe that the international system is fundamentally anarchic and dominated by powerful states. In the absence of an overarching authority, states are forced to fend for themselves, leading to a constant struggle for power, the formation of alliances, and the use of strategic tactics. This view, often referred to as the "self-help" system, suggests that states exist in a do-it-yourself world where they must constantly worry about their safety and survival.
Neorealists argue that war is always a possibility and that the central role it plays in international politics cannot be altered by norms, laws, institutions, or ideologies. They see international institutions as mere reflections of the global power distribution, with limited ability to maintain stability or promote cooperation. Neorealists are highly suspicious of the notion that stability and cooperation can coexist, and they claim that neoliberal theorists tend to evade military issues.
While neorealists acknowledge that factors such as norms and institutions can influence the behaviour of individual governments, they maintain that these factors do not change the underlying dynamics of power politics. Neorealism focuses on the distribution of power across the international system, where the ultimate objective of major powers is to become the hegemon and exert control. This power struggle between states is seen as a zero-sum game, where gains made by one state come at the expense of another.
Neorealism's pessimistic view of diplomacy and long-lasting peace has been challenged by other theories, such as the democratic peace theory, which argues that democracies are less likely to engage in conflict with each other. Neorealists counter this argument by questioning the definition of democracy used by democratic peace theorists and asserting that power, rather than the spread of democracy, is the primary determinant of peace.
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Neorealists focus on power structures, not human nature, as the main driver of state behaviour
Neorealism, also referred to as structural realism, is a contemporary approach to international relations that emerged from the North American discipline of political science. It is an ideological shift from classical realism, which explained international politics as being based on human nature and thus subject to the ego and emotions of world leaders. In contrast, neorealism proposes that structural constraints, not strategy, egoism, or motivation, determine behaviour in international relations.
Defensive neorealism suggests that the chaotic world system makes countries cautious and focused on protecting themselves. They aim to maintain the status quo, avoid conflicts, and prevent losses that could make them less secure. On the other hand, offensive neorealism argues that large countries are driven by a desire to increase their power over others and become the hegemon. This perspective is more aggressive and zero-sum, aiming for power and influence through domination.
Neorealists are sceptical about the effectiveness of international institutions and emphasise the primacy of states, their sovereignty, and power struggles on the global stage. They view international institutions as tools of stronger countries and believe that they reflect the global power distribution, influencing state behaviour to some extent. Neorealists also argue that while norms, laws, and institutions can influence the behaviour of individual governments, they do not change the central role of war in international politics.
While neorealism has been influential, it has faced criticism from various perspectives, including liberal, constructivist, classical realist, and neoclassical realist approaches. Critics argue that neorealism neglects the importance of domestic politics, race, gains from trade, the pacifying effects of institutions, and the relevance of regime type for foreign policy behaviour. Additionally, neorealism has been challenged for its pessimistic view of international relations, with democratic peace theorists offering alternative explanations for long-lasting peace.
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Neorealists are sceptical of international institutions and cooperation
Neorealism, also known as structural realism, is a contemporary approach to international relations that emerged from the North American discipline of political science. Neorealists are sceptical of international institutions and cooperation, and their views on diplomacy are shaped by this scepticism.
Neorealists argue that the international system is defined by remarkable continuity across space and time, and that the trajectory of international relations is explained by the distribution of power across units in the system. They see the world as a self-help system, where each state must fend for itself and focus on its own survival. This perspective leads to scepticism about the effectiveness of international institutions and cooperation. Neorealists believe that states are primarily motivated by self-interest and power struggles, rather than a desire for cooperation or collective action.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, neorealists argued that individual states were more effective in responding to the crisis than international institutions. They pointed to the self-centred and competitive behaviour of countries, even as they ostensibly tried to cooperate on a global level. Neorealists also criticised the World Health Organization (WHO) for not fully collaborating with countries and for engaging in a ""vaccine diplomacy" battle to distribute vaccines to developing countries.
Neorealists are sceptical of the idea that international institutions can help countries work together and see them as tools of stronger countries. They argue that these institutions reflect the global power distribution and influence state behaviour to a certain degree. Neorealists also believe that war is a possibility at any time and that the absence of a global government leads to a constant power struggle between states. This perspective further contributes to their scepticism about the effectiveness of international cooperation and institutions.
While neorealists acknowledge the influence of norms, laws, and institutions on the behaviour of individual governments, they insist that these factors do not alter the central role that war plays in international politics. They view the international system as completely anarchic and believe that the structure without rules, not human nature, is the main driver of state behaviour. This structural focus is a key distinction between neorealism and classical realism, which attributed international political behaviour to human nature and the ego and emotion of world leaders.
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Neorealism is subdivided into defensive and offensive neorealism
Neorealism, also known as structural realism, is a theory of international relations that emphasizes the role of power politics in international relations. It sees competition and conflict as enduring features and believes that there is limited potential for cooperation. Neorealism is subdivided into defensive and offensive neorealism.
Defensive neorealism is a structural theory in international relations that is derived from the school of neorealism. It finds its foundation in political scientist Kenneth Waltz's "Theory of International Politics", in which Waltz argues that the anarchical structure of the international system encourages states to maintain moderate and reserved policies to attain national security. Defensive neorealists assert that states are not intrinsically aggressive and that "the first concern of states is not to maximize power but to maintain their position in the system". They argue that aggressive expansion, as promoted by offensive neorealists, upsets the tendency of states to conform to the balance of power theory, thereby decreasing the primary objective of the state, which they argue is ensuring its security. Defensive neorealists contend that the subjugation of a state's population is risky and difficult, especially in the face of nationalism, which can provide an effective narrative of resistance.
Offensive neorealism, developed by John J. Mearsheimer, differs in the amount of power that states desire. Mearsheimer proposes that states maximize relative power, ultimately aiming for regional hegemony. Offensive neorealism assumes that states seek to maximize their power and influence to achieve security through domination and hegemony. Offensive neorealists believe that states inherently desire either global or local hegemony. They argue that anarchy encourages states to increase state power vigorously, as "the world is condemned to perpetual great power competition".
Both branches of neorealism agree that the structure of the system is what causes states to compete. Defensive neorealism posits that most states concentrate on maintaining their security, while offensive neorealism claims that all states seek to gain as much power as possible. Neorealists conclude that because war is an effect of the anarchic structure of the international system, it is likely to continue in the future. They often argue that the ordering principle of the international system has not fundamentally changed from the time of Thucydides to the advent of nuclear warfare, and that long-lasting peace is not likely to be achieved.
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Neorealism is distinct from classical realism and neoliberalism
Neorealism, also known as structural realism, is a theory of international relations that emerged from the North American discipline of political science. It is an ideological departure from classical realism, which was based on ethical assumptions and explained the workings of international politics as being subject to the ego and emotions of world leaders. In contrast, neorealism proposes that structural constraints, not strategy or motivation, will determine behaviour in international relations. Neorealism is subdivided into defensive and offensive neorealism, with the former focusing on states' security and the latter claiming that states seek to maximize their power.
Neorealism and classical realism have different views on the role of power. For classical realism, power is an end in itself, while for neorealism, it is a means to an end. Classical realism, as espoused by Hans Morgenthau, explains international politics as being based on human nature and the pursuit of power due to "hubris-based human nature". Neorealism, on the other hand, attributes the pursuit of power to the structure and architecture of the international system. Neorealists argue that the anarchic nature of the international system prompts states to engage in power politics, resulting in enduring competition and conflict with limited potential for cooperation.
Neorealism also differs from classical realism in its view of social norms. Classical realists considered social norms as potentially important, while neorealists deem them largely irrelevant. Neorealists are skeptical of the ability of international organizations to act independently and facilitate cooperation between states. They argue that the ordering principle of the international system has not fundamentally changed since the time of Thucydides, and thus, long-lasting peace is unlikely to be achieved. This pessimistic view is challenged by democratic peace theorists, who argue that the presence of democracies reduces the likelihood of war.
Neorealism and neoliberalism are two of the most influential contemporary approaches to international relations. While neorealists emphasize the role of power politics and see limited potential for cooperation, neoliberals believe in the importance of international institutions and economic cooperation for maintaining stability and peace. Neoliberals suggest that addressing global challenges through multilateral efforts and centralizing knowledge and resources is optimal. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the responses of most states reinforced a neorealist approach, with states prioritizing their own interests and sovereignty over international cooperation.
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Frequently asked questions
Neorealism, also known as structural realism, is a contemporary approach to international relations that emerged from the North American discipline of political science. It reformulates classical realist traditions, claiming that structural constraints, rather than human nature, determine behaviour in international relations. Neorealism is subdivided into defensive and offensive neorealism.
Neorealists believe that the international system is anarchic and that war is always a possibility. They argue that the ordering principle of the international system has not changed fundamentally since the time of Thucydides. Neorealists are highly suspicious of the existence of any association between stability and cooperation and claim that global groups are tools of stronger countries. They also believe that the structure of the international system, which has no boss, is the main reason why states act the way they do.
Neorealists are sceptical of the effectiveness of diplomacy and international institutions in achieving stability and cooperation. They argue that global organisations merely reflect the power distribution and are used by stronger countries to exert influence. Neorealists emphasise the role of power and the pursuit of self-interest in international relations, suggesting that states primarily aim to survive or maximise their relative power.
Neoliberalism, another influential approach to international relations, emphasises the role of international institutions and economic cooperation in achieving peace. Neoliberals believe in centralising knowledge and resources to facilitate collective international action. In contrast, neorealists focus on the structural constraints and power dynamics between states, suggesting that war and competition are inherent in the international system.
