INTL 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Political Philosophy, Peaceful Coexistence, Warsaw Pact
Document Summary
Athenian general and historian thucydides considered one of first proponents of power politics. 3 forms of world politics that emerged over time: imperial system, feudal system, anarchic system of states. Imperial system: a political organization in which one government is dominant over most of the world with which it has contact. Feudal system: a political organization in which loyalty and political obligations take precedence over political boundaries. Anarchic system of states: an organization of political units that are relatively cohesive but with no higher government above them. Realism: a political philosophy that sees the struggle for power and the potential for conflict as a necessary evil in the pursuit of national interest. Machiavelli captured creation of the anarchic system of states in his writings. Captures essence of international politics since days of ancient greece many believe. State is most powerful actor in international system pursuit of power drives its choices in relation to other states.
