Difference between revisions of "Realist"
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| − | '''Realist''' is an [[international politics]] term which is used to describe an actor whose [[foreign policy]] methods focus on [[political power]], rather than institutions and [[international law]]. A realist prefers policies which keep, increase, or demonstrate their power. In a [[bipolar]] power organization (only two main world powers), this can lead to a [[security dilemma]]. | + | '''Realist''' (or '''realism''') is an [[international politics]] term which is used to describe an actor whose [[foreign policy]] methods focus on [[political power]], rather than institutions and [[international law]]. A realist prefers policies which keep, increase, or demonstrate their power. In a [[bipolar]] power organization (only two main world powers), this can lead to a [[security dilemma]]. |
Realism is opposed to idealism and utopianism, and specifically to [[Wilsonianism]]. | Realism is opposed to idealism and utopianism, and specifically to [[Wilsonianism]]. | ||
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==see also== | ==see also== | ||
| − | * [[Reinhold Niebuhr]] | + | * [[Reinhold Niebuhr]], theologian |
| − | * [[George Kennan]] | + | * [[George Kennan]], diplomat and writer |
| − | * [[Arthus Schlesinger, Jr.]] | + | * [[Henry Kissinger]], diplomat and writer |
| − | * [[Hans Morgenthau]] | + | * [[Walter Lippmann]], commentator |
| + | * [[Arthus Schlesinger, Jr.]], historian | ||
| + | * [[Hans Morgenthau]], poltical scientist | ||
* [[Cold War]] | * [[Cold War]] | ||
| + | ==Further reading== | ||
| + | * Bucklin, Steven J. ''Realism and American Foreign Policy: Wilsonians and the Kennan-Morgenthau Thesis.'' (2000). 192 pp. | ||
| + | * Gilbert, Alan. ''Must Global Politics Constrain Democracy? Great-Power Realism, Democratic Peace and Democratic Internationalism.'' (1999). 316 pp. | ||
| + | * Haig, Alexander M., Jr. ''Caveat: Realism, Reagan, and Foreign Policy.'' (1984). 367 pp. | ||
| + | * Nincic, Miroslav. ''Democracy and Foreign Policy: The Fallacy of | ||
| + | Political Realism.'' (1992). 200 pp. | ||
| + | * Rosenthal, Joel H. ''Righteous Realists: Political Realism, Responsible Power, and American Culture in the Nuclear Age.'' (1991). 191 pp. | ||
| + | * Warren, Heather A. ''Theologians of a New World Order: Reinhold Niebuhr and the Christian Realists, 1920-1948.'' (1997). 199 pp. | ||
| + | * Weigel, George. ''Idealism without Illusions: U.S. Foreign Policy in the 1990s.'' (1994). 253 pp. by a leading conservative | ||
[[category:International Politics]] | [[category:International Politics]] | ||
[[category:Political Theory]] | [[category:Political Theory]] | ||
[[category:Cold War]] | [[category:Cold War]] | ||
Revision as of 19:05, June 7, 2009
Realist (or realism) is an international politics term which is used to describe an actor whose foreign policy methods focus on political power, rather than institutions and international law. A realist prefers policies which keep, increase, or demonstrate their power. In a bipolar power organization (only two main world powers), this can lead to a security dilemma.
Realism is opposed to idealism and utopianism, and specifically to Wilsonianism.
Conservative foreign policies can include either realism or idealism. Idealism appears in the case of George W. Bush bringing democracy to the Middle East, or Barry Goldwater, calling for a crusade to destroy Communism. Realism appears among opponents of needless "foreign adventures," such as Pat Buchanan, or when Richard Nixon opened the door to China (1971), or Ronald Reagan came to terms with the Soviet Union in 1987.
see also
- Reinhold Niebuhr, theologian
- George Kennan, diplomat and writer
- Henry Kissinger, diplomat and writer
- Walter Lippmann, commentator
- Arthus Schlesinger, Jr., historian
- Hans Morgenthau, poltical scientist
- Cold War
Further reading
- Bucklin, Steven J. Realism and American Foreign Policy: Wilsonians and the Kennan-Morgenthau Thesis. (2000). 192 pp.
- Gilbert, Alan. Must Global Politics Constrain Democracy? Great-Power Realism, Democratic Peace and Democratic Internationalism. (1999). 316 pp.
- Haig, Alexander M., Jr. Caveat: Realism, Reagan, and Foreign Policy. (1984). 367 pp.
- Nincic, Miroslav. Democracy and Foreign Policy: The Fallacy of
Political Realism. (1992). 200 pp.
- Rosenthal, Joel H. Righteous Realists: Political Realism, Responsible Power, and American Culture in the Nuclear Age. (1991). 191 pp.
- Warren, Heather A. Theologians of a New World Order: Reinhold Niebuhr and the Christian Realists, 1920-1948. (1997). 199 pp.
- Weigel, George. Idealism without Illusions: U.S. Foreign Policy in the 1990s. (1994). 253 pp. by a leading conservative
