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Lebow and Gilpin
According to Richard NE Lebow, "Classical realism represents an approach to International Relations that harks back to fifth-century BCE…It recognizes the central role of power in politics of all kinds, but also the limitations of power and the ways in which it can readily be made self-defeating" (2007,-page 52). In terms of politics and international relationships, those who call themselves realists have a rather pessimistic perspective. They believe that human beings are predominantly concerned with their own selves and their own best interests. Humans contact other people only in terms of what can be given or taken from the rest of humanity. In caring for others, we are really only protecting ourselves and in international relations governments only communicate with one another to help their own country, either economically, socially, or in terms of militaristic alliance.
In his article on traditional political realism, author Robert Gilpin discusses the fallacies presented by another sociologist on the issue of neo-realism. Many scholars grant superior status to the writings of the ancients and in doing so cast aspersions on those of the neo-realist perspective. However, Gilpin asserts there is really no difference between the perception of the ancients and the views of modern social philosophers (1986,-page 302). Instead of a clear delineation between types, there is actually a wide degree of variation...
Although they do all agree to the fundamental truth as described by Hans Morgenthau (Gilpin 1986,-page 306). Lebow does not agree with Gilpin's perspective. Rather, he feels that classical realism is a far more valid theory which has survived the test of time (Lebow 2007,-page 53). Whereas Gilpin believes neorealism as a continuous valuable theory, this perspective is not shared by Lebow who feels that it failed with the ending of the Cold War (2007,-page 53).
Ashley, who Robert Gilpin takes a great deal of issue with, believes that the classic realists did not concern themselves with economic matters (1986,-page 310). On the contrary, modern realists only think of economics which is a position that Gilpin paints as completely false, using Henry Kissinger as an example. Economics does play a part in realism because international trade and economics is a major factor in the relationships which are forged internationally (Gilpin 1986,-page 310). Lebow argues that economics, along with all components of society, has to do with power above all things (2007,-page 62). This is the basis of realism; the sharing of power for the propagation of humanity.
Further, Robert Gilpin explores the difference between state-centric thinking and international discourse. Neo-realists are accused of "worship[ping] the state and, therefore, are closet totalitarians" (Gilpin 1986,-page 313). Daring to…
Works Cited:
Gilpin, R. (1986). The richness of the tradition of political realism. Neorealism and Its Critics.
Ed. Robert Keohane. Columbia UP: New York, NY. 301-21.
Lebow, R.N. (2007). Classical Realism. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Ed. T. Dunne et al. Oxford: New York, NY. 52-70.
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