Answer to Question #166878 in Political Science for Tumi

Question

Discuss the common assumptions that most realists make

What is the distinction among classical realism, neorealism and neoclassical realism?

Wat is the difference between offensive and defensive realism?

What is the difference between balance of power theory and hegemonic stability theory?

Answer 1

Most realist in their work gives the following assumptions in their theory;

i) the state is considered a major actor and unit of analysis in the study of international relations. this is mainly because it is the state that claim sovereignty to act on behalf of their citizens.

ii)The international political system is anarchic in nature, It is believe that there is no other supranational authority to put in force the rules apart from he state.

iii) The state also is assumed to be rational and defined by their selfish interest. According to realist, state behaves in a certain behavior.

The distinction among classical realism, neorealism and neoclassical realism is that classical realism puts a lot of emphasis on the domestic and human factors and on the other hand neorealism emphasizes how the international system structure determines the behavior of the state. Finally neoclassical realism tries to harmonize and synthesize the two stands of the classical realism and neorealism.

The difference between offensive and defensive realism is that while offensive realism seeks power in order to realize security through hegemony, defensive realism concentrate on structural actors of security dilemma and strategic location and is considered by elites to give an answer to the outbreak of conflicts.

The difference between balance of power theory and hegemonic stability theory is that balance of power refers to the existing order that arises from competition as well as counter-balancing between two or many state actors to bring stability while hegemonic stability theory points to the order that is structured around and maintained by powerful state leadership like the United States of America.