Classical Realism

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Hans Morgenthau's work, "Politics among Nations", which proved to be one of the most important works in the field of international relations, due to the fact that it contains the main assumptions made by the realist paradigm in political science. The paper discusses how Morgenthau's work relates to classical realism and discusses why it has become such a milestone for international relations.

From the Paper:

"There have been, however, critiques of political realism, among which one of the most important is the one regarding the autonomy of international organizations, that can not be considered solely as instruments used in the interests of the states, as they were considered by realists. It has been argued therefore that international organizations can act from outside the state, therefore, outside the sphere of political interests, and can operate without being influenced by particular self-interests.
"National self-interest was thus, although one of the most important theoretical propositions in the field of International Relations, overemphasized by the realists, with respect to certain aspects of world politics."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Donnely , Jack 2000 Realism and International Relations, Cambridge University Press
• Hans J. Morgenthau, 1998 Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, Fifth Edition, Revised, New York: Alfred A. Knopf ..http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/irtheory.htm
• Vasquez, John 1999 Power of Power Politics, Cambridge University Press

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