Classical realism (international relations)
[citation needed] Classical realism first arose in its modern form during the interwar period of (1918–1939) as the academic field of international relations began to grow during this era.
[2] Classical realism during the inter-war period developed as a response to the prominence of idealist and utopian theories in international relations during the time.
[2] E. H. Carr, George F. Kennan, Hans Morgenthau, Raymond Aron, and Robert Gilpin are central contributors to classical realism.
[3] Classical realist writers have drawn from the ideas of earlier political thinkers, most notably, Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes and Thucydides.
[6] Hobbes' theory of the "international state of nature" stems from his concept that a world without a government leads to anarchy.
Michael Smith describes the significance of this theory to realism as "[Hobbes'] state of nature remains the defining feature of realist thought.
[4] The theory is pessimistic about human behaviour and emphasizes that individuals are primarily motivated by self-interest and not higher moral or ethical aspirations.
The behavior of states is theorized to be dictated by basic primal emotions,[25] for example Thomas Hobbes described fear or aggression as fundamental motivations.
[9] Classical realists believe that their pessimistic vision of human nature is reflected in politics and international relations.
"[26] The theory emphasizes that international relations are shaped by the tendencies of human nature since is not changeable but only controllable by a higher power such as the state implementing order.
This contrasts neo-realist theory which argues that the structure of the international system is ontologically superior and views states as unitary meaning they are seen as rational actors objectively pursuing their national interest.
[citation needed] Classical realists explain state conflict and the pursuit of power by suggesting they are result of human nature.
[3][30][7] States are understood to be a reflection of human nature and the anarchic international system is not considered to be the root cause of the pursuit of power but instead a facilitating factor.
In regards to explaining states pursuit of power, classical realism is distinct as later theories places less emphasis on assumptions about human nature but instead focuses on the structure of the international system.
[43] In the interwar period liberalism was the dominant paradigm in international relations theory but this was contested by classical realist theorists.
[6] Carr argued against Utopian and Idealist views on international relations as well as the merit and success of the League of Nations.
[44] Following the behavioral revolution scholars began to place a new emphasis on creating a more empirical methodology for analyzing international relations.
