Neoclassical realism

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Neoclassical realism is a

neorealist – particularly defensive realist
– theories.

Neoclassical realism holds that the actions of a state in the international system can be explained by intervening systemic variables, such as the distribution of power capabilities among states; cognitive variables, such as the perception and misperception of systemic pressures, other states' intentions, or threats; and domestic variables, such as state institutions, elites, and societal actors that affect the power and freedom of action of the foreign policy decision-makers.

Overview

While holding true to the realist concept of

balance of power, neoclassical realism adds that states' inability to perceive one another accurately, and/or state leaders' inability to mobilize state power and public support, can result in suboptimal foreign policy, the rise and fall of great powers
, and war. There are four variations of a state's balancing behavior:

According to Nicholas Ross Smith of University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Neoclassical realism has primarily been criticized for its "apparent ontological and epistemological incoherence".[2] A 1995 study criticized Neoclassical realism for encompassing "nearly the entire universe of international relations theory" and stretching realism "beyond all recognition or utility."[3] According to Stephen Walt of the Kennedy School at Harvard University, one of the chief flaws in Neoclassical realism is that it "tends to incorporate domestic variables in an ad hoc manner, and its proponents have yet to identify when these variables have greater or lesser influence".[4]

Neoclassical realism has been used to explain a number of puzzling foreign policy cases, such as the volatility in

Fascist Italy's foreign policy,[6] Slobodan Milosevic's decision-making during the 1999 Kosovo crisis,[7] the occurrence of the Cod Wars between Iceland and the United Kingdom,[8] and Iran's foreign policy choices after the American invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.[9] Proponents of the theory argue that the theory is particularly valuable in explaining cases that fly in the face of other international relations theories, due to its incorporation of domestic variables.[10]

Notable neoclassical realists

Persons mentioned as neoclassical realists, and the year of the release of the work associated with this classification include:[11]

See also

References

  1. doi:10.1093/OBO/9780199756223-0187
    . Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  2. S2CID 158100552
    .
  3. S2CID 10474923
    .
  4. OCLC 746955865
    .
  5. JSTOR 3013998
    .
  6. S2CID 144058773
    .
  7. ^ Devlen, Balkan. "Neoclassical Realism and Foreign Policy Crises". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ISSN 1743-8586
    .
  9. ISBN 9780804793056. Retrieved 2018-02-28. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help
    )
  10. ISBN 9780199899234
    .
  11. ^ Baylis, John, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens (eds.) The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations.(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008) p.231
  12. ISBN 9780199899234
    .
  13. ISBN 9781138585287
    .

Further reading

Library resources about
Neoclassical realism


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