Session 5: “Political Realism and Universal Mortality”

Morgenthau, in his article “A Realistic Theory of International Politics” differentiates between Idealism and Realism as both schools differ fundamentally in their conceptions of nature of man, state and politics. However, we would not be focusing on the difference between the two theories and instead will be studying one of the six principles that he discusses in the article. The fifth principle of the article states “Political realism refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with the moral laws the govern the universe”

Under this the author talks about how when we consider power as the main interest of states, states are able to do justice and respect policies of other states. Now let’s examine this in the current international sphere and see if this holds true. Taking the example of the United States, who has been the most powerful country over recent decades along with a never ending desire for more control over the world, it is evident that powerful states do not necessarily respect the policies of other states when formulating their own policies which refutes the Morgenthau’s principle in discussion. Whether we talk about United States’ involvement in Afghanistan, the attack on Iraq or its policies in the Central Asian Republics shows how powerful states can be selfish and inconsiderate despite universal moral laws and not respect the policies of other states. Even when looking at the case of Pakistan, America’s policy over the years has not been very considerate and respectful of Pakistan’s interests.

Therefore, I would disagree with the author on the fact that states are able to justice in a “dual sense”. The explanation above shows how it is not necessary that states do justice to all the other states under universal moral laws.