POL 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Hans Morgenthau, International Development, Waterboarding

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POL 1101
• Professor: Joshua Zaato

Document Summary

There are three main approaches to the study and practice of international politics or in pursuing foreign policy. These approaches are sometimes associated with the ideological inclinations of individuals and governments. Realism assumes that in international relations, states are driven by a desire for economic and or military power. The realist believe that distrust and self-interest mean that co-operation is unlikely and that the international system is marked by a constant power struggle". One of the academic fathers of realism, hans morgenthau, advised states to define their national interests in terms of power. He argues that states should follow policies designed to maximise their power and should avoid policies that overstep the limits of power". According to realist, politics is a struggle for limited resources in a competitive and non-cooperative environment". It argues that countries should practice politics based on power, not morality. Most conservative governments and party"s approach foreign policy from this perspective.