Session 15 - Criticising while doing the same thing

Robert Keohane and Lisa Martin in their essay “The Promise of Institutionalist Theory" critique Maersheimer's view of the world and his theory of realism, how he contradicts himself and overlooks the obvious. But they do not realize that in their attempt to critique him they too overlook the obvious making the very faults that they criticize Maersheimer for making.

They start of by talking about how Maersheimer does not believe that international intuitions matter but yet he does believe that some institutions have the backing of major states to expand so according to the authors this means that the international institutions do matter if they have this authority and backing. However what they fail to understand is that although there are several institutions, these institutions are only supported by the great powers only and that too when it suits them. taking Maersheimer's beliefs into account, one can say that the great states command authority over many such international institutions so as to retain control over it and ensure that their interests are cared for instead of others, to suppress others needs over their own and to continue to gain power over the other states. So does such institutions really account as 'working'? not really. So Maersheimer view was actually right.

They go on to talk about how Maersheimer also believed that states are only out to gain power for themselves. But this isn't really true because they say that the united states could have become the most powerful state in the world after the interwar but it does not so even this view of Maersheimer is wrong. Again they seem to be overlooking the obvious. The United states is the most powerful state in the world and has tried to ensure its military capabilities are above any other country (US's military spending exceeds the next 8 countries military spending). To look at another example, we can look at Germany, who after WW2 were restricted in the amount of army and military they are allowed to have. Recently this restriction was eased and when it was eased, Germany increased its military spending and military. Even if we look at the other states be it China, India, France, Britain, they all are increasing their military expenditures every year and ensuring that they do not let too many countries get better military capabilities then them, thus causing them to increase their military power. Again Maersheimer view is right.

The authors continue to criticize Maersheimer and his theory of realism for the same things that they are doing themselves; ignoring the reality of why what is happening is happening and looking only at specific examples.