Neo-Realism or Structural Realism is
the recent filament of Realism evolved during 1980s. The main influential figure
between this new strand is Kenneth Waltz. Neo Realists or Structural Realists
explains- Power Politics in terms of Anarchy. Neo-Realism; A perspective on
international politics that modifies the power politics model by highlighting
the structural constraints of the international system; sometimes called ‘new’
or structural realism. Structural Realists attribute security competition and
inter-state conflict to the lack of an overarching authority above states and
the relative distribution of power in the International system.
Structural
Realism or Neo-Realism is associated with Kenneth Waltz and his masterpiece,
Theory of International Politics, Waltz shifts the focus from the individual to
the structure and argues that the power-seeking state is reacting to the
Anarchy of the system. In the absence of an overarching authority, a state turns
to itself in order to survive. Waltz defined the structure of International
system in term of three elements….
----Organizing Principles (Anarchy and Hierarchy).
----Differentiation of Units.
----Distribution of Capabilities.
The
Waltz`s theory of International politics differs from Morgenthau`s classical
notion of realism. Morgenthau assumed that leaders of states are motivated by
their lust for power. Waltz`s theory, by
contrast, omits leader`s motivations and state characteristics as causal variables
for international outcomes, except for the minimal assumption that states seek
to survive. In addition, whereas classical realism suggested that state strategies
are selected rationally, Waltz is more agnostic. According to Waltz, state
behavior can be a product of the competition among states.
Within Neo-Realism, a few strands have emerged. The two better known
one`s are Defensive Neo-Realism and Offensive Neo-Realism.
The Defensive Neo-Realists (Robert Jeruis and Jack
Synder) argue that the anarchial structure is seen such that states seek power
only to minimize the gap in the power between them. States, they argue only
seek to find assurances of their security and are therefore security-maximisers.
The Offensive Neo-Realist such as John Mearsheimer, in
his book “Tragedy Of Great Power Politics” argues that states are power
maximisers. He bases his argument on following assumptions;
---The system is anarchic.
---States can never be sure about the intentions of
other states.
---All great powers possess some offensive ability.
---That all states are rational acotrs.
There, he
concludes, the best defense for a state is good offence.
“ God helps those states, which help themselves”
‘John
Mearshiemer’
Since
the end of the Cold War a group of scholars have
attempted to move beyond the parsimonious assumption of Structural Realism and
incorporated a number of additional factors located at the individual and
domestic level into their explanation of international politics. While systemic
factors are recognized to be an important influence on the behavior of states,
states are factors such as the perceptions of state leaders, state society
relationships and the motivation of states. In attempting to build a bridge
between Structural and Unit level factors (emphasized by many Classical
Realist), this group of scholars has been characterized by Gideon Rose as Neo-Classical
Realists.
Fareed Zakaria, is a major proponent of Neo-Classical Realism, He in his book “From Wealth to Power” , writes that, The systemic account of the world politics provided by Structural Realism is incomplete. It needs to be supplemented with better accounts of Unit level variables such as how power is perceived and how leadership is exercised.