Session 3: The Long Road To Theory

                                                                                                                

The realist world is a Frozen universe – Do you want to build a new theory?

Professor Morgenthau’s theory of realism in the context of international relations provides an interesting narrative of the means of power and how a struggle for power dominates politics as well as the international system. It especially does not hold true for international relations where power is usually the tool by which some particular goal is achieved and the acts of aggression and any such power plays are usually dominated by some deeper consideration than just a desire for more power.

Moreover, we can consider power as a sort of justification for one’s own morality; be it nationalistic or religious or even humanitarian. Power can be exercised in order to impose a certain religious doctrine or in defense of your country in the form of a preemptive strike. In these cases, the realist theory fails to provide an explanation as to what the system of international relations really entails because power is only being exerted in lieu of a particular means to achieve a particular end. The realist theory is in desperate need to be improved upon by better research methods and perhaps a completely different approach.

Realism in itself is limiting the international system to be composed mostly of a power struggle. Power monism needs to be approached in a more goal oriented manner. Better empirical research and rigorous methods of analysis can help achieve a better, more overarching theory about international relations. Qualitative and quantitative research methods from sociology and history can help form a better core for understanding international relations which will also be more flexible in terms of developing one overarching model of international relations. A more flexible model for international relations with its base in strict social science methods rather than in policy making is the way to move forward with international relations. As for realism, I think it is about time that we Let It Go.