Hans. j. Morganthau in his reading "Another grate debate" talks about different perspectives on two different schools of thought which are debated too much in modern world. He tells about believes and perspectives of Utopian theorists and realist theorists by highlighting different dimensions to their perspectives. He argues that the very same policies can be and are being supported by both the schools. what differentiates them apart is not the practical judgment but the philosophies and standards of thought. I completely agree with this. Utopian's as well as realist, both want peace in this world but the way they both interpret things and the way they would achieve peace is different. Both of these these differ in the conception of human nature, politics and society. Utopians believe that moral political order is derived from universally valid abstract and there can be achieved here and now. Whereas other school(realist) believes that the world is actually imperfect and this is partly due to the inherent forces in the human nature. The collision of these forces with others causes conflict and therefore in the world of opposing interests, One can never achieve moral principles. This view however, can be criticized but so far the past has been the good predictor of human nature.
Hans Morganthau under these two perspective has shed the light on American foreign policy and describes it being more kind of a realist piece rather than the Utopian dream which the American's themselves become proud of. However this is the wrong conception of their foreign policy which they portray it to others. In case of the colliding interest with any nation in the world, they try to make sure no one stands up against them for it. The example of Spaniards in case of Florida and french in Mississippi , one comes to know what actually Americans believe in.
Considering the foreign policy of America, I second to the Morganthau's argument of American policy as realist piece. This argument is supported by Henry Kissinger who is claimed to have said"
“America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests”.
~ UZAIR MUJEEB
I think Morgenthau point is more elaborately explained when we provide explanation of how the Utopians base their abstractions on concrete evidence. Surely, he believes that historical accounts cannot be given for the Utopian critique of human nature and politics, so it is difficult to materialize their conceptions.
ReplyDeleteI agree that U.S. foreign policy has been more in line with the realist school of thought as opposed to the idealist school of thought.
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