International Relations Theory: Realism

Learn realism: Dominant IR theory, from ancient Greece to today, power, anarchy, human nature, security, world examples!

What you'll learn
Think and speak about world problems through the lens of the oldest, most powerful and influential theory of International Relations
Identify and understand the ideas of key realist thinkers, including Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Morgenthau, Waltz and Mearsheimer
Recognise the value of Ancient Greek Peloponnesian War to understand the principles of world politics
Understand why Machiavelli is realism's 'dark character' and why his perspective on government is so demoralised
Understand what Hobbes meant by 'state of nature' in his groundbreaking masterpiece Leviathan and how it's relevant to realism
Identify the key components of classical realism, particularly the notion of the flawed human nature and interest defined as power, as advanced by Morgenthau
Understand the original features of Waltz's neorealism, including his emphasis on the international system and anarchy
Identify the distinguishing features of Mearsheimer's offensive realism and his focus on the pursuit of power
Understand the realist perspective on coronavirus
Understand the realist perspective on US foreign policy, including war in Iraq, NATO expansion, Persian Gulf policy, Afghanistan, Iran & Israel
Understand the realist perspective on the rise of China
Recognise the original contribution of neoclassical realism, including key works
Learn 6 practical tips for incorporating realism into your academic essays and dissertations
Requirements
The course is designed for all study levels and therefore does not require prior education in Politics or International Relations.
No upfront reading is necessary. In the course, students will learn about some of the most influential books on each topic.
For convenience, handouts for each lecture are provided and can be downloaded.
Description
In this course, you will get in-depth knowledge and understanding of key realist thinkers, theories and concepts, including real world examples and even tips for writing essays and dissertations.The course will give you confidence to think and speak about world problems through the lens of the oldest, most powerful and influential theory of International Relations.If you are interested in world politics, chances are you are reading and watching quite a bit of news about what's going on. That's OK, but there is nothing more rewarding that actually educating yourself to improve the depth and breadth of your knowledge and understanding of how the world works.My courses are designed to help you with that objective and this course offers you complete knowledge and understanding of the most exciting theory of International Relations.Consider some of these timeless quotes from the most influential classical thinkers:“the right, as the world goes, is only in question between equal power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must” - Thucydides“But since it is difficult for a ruler to be both feared and loved, it is much safer to be feared than loved (…)." - Machiavelli"Because men are wretched creatures who would not keep their word to you, you need not keep your word to them" - Machiavelli“In such condition [state of nature], the life of man [is] solitary, poore, nasty, brutish, and short” - Hobbes"Political realism believes that politics, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature." - MorgenthauThis is just a sample of quotes we explore in the course in depth to understand their meaning, context and impact on the realist theory. How You Will LearnIt is my philosophy in this course to allow those brilliant thinkers speak for themselves. I want to give them the voice. At the same time, I offer you my full explanation and interpretation of every quote we analyse in the course. I don't just leave you there wondering what this all means.In addition to classical realism, neorealism and offensive realism, my bonus lectures also gives you insights into neoclassical realism. This is an interesting and exciting development in the realist theory and I want you to understand what it is all about.Another one of my bonus lectures offers you practical tips for incorporating realism into writing your academic essays and dissertations. As much as talking about theories is interesting in itself, I also believe in the value of practical examples. So in this course, we discuss three case studies of how realism can be applied to analyse real world problems. These include: the realist perspective on coronavirus, US foreign policy and the rise of China. What You Will Get in This CourseHere is a summary of what you will learn in this course:Think and speak about world problems through the lens of the oldest, most powerful and influential theory of International RelationsIdentify and understand the idea of key realist thinkers, including Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Morgenthau, Waltz and MearsheimerRecognise the value of Ancient Greek Peloponnesian War to understand the principles of world politicsUnderstand why Machiavelli is realism's 'dark character' and why his perspective on government is so demoralisedUnderstand what Hobbes meant by 'state of nature' in his groundbreaking masterpiece Leviathan and how it's relevant to realismIdentify the key components of classical realism, particularly the notion of the flawed human nature and interest defined as power, as advanced by MorgenthauUnderstand the original features of Waltz's neorealism, including his emphasis on the international system and anarchyIdentify the distinguishing features of Mearsheimer's offensive realism and his focus on the pursuit of powerUnderstand the realist perspective on coronavirusUnderstand the realist perspective on US foreign policy, including war in Iraq, NATO expansion, Persian Gulf policy, Afghanistan, Iran & IsraelUnderstand the realist perspective on the rise of ChinaRecognise the original contribution of neoclassical realism, including key worksLearn 6 practical tips for incorporating realism into your academic essays and dissertationsStudent Comments:"As a new student to the subject of International Relations Theories it is important for me to find teachers of quality from whom I can learn. I am offered this opportunity by signing up for Kamil's courses.""Great course! It's not the professor's Kamil first course I do, and I never regret. He goes straight to the point in a clear, direct and comprehensive way. Everyone should start learning with his courses - they help us to develop a deeper view on old, new (and surely relevant) topics. Highly recomended!""This is a detailed course on Realism. I'm a masters degree graduate of International Relations and Political and International Relations Theory was my favourite lesson. With this 3 hour course i learned even more than what i was taught in one hours lesson focused on Realism at the University. Recommended both for people with existing knowledge on the topic as well as people with no knowledge. But be careful, the world as seen through the realism lens is a dark place!""I really like that you're drilling down on Thucydides. I don't think enough people examine his teachings past that of the Melian Dialogue, and you have an entire section dedicated to this!"My Promise to YouI promise that the tuition in this course is of the highest quality, based on genuine university-level teaching and research. It is presented in a highly-accessible and engaging way, designed specifically for those who do not have prior university degree in Politics or International Relations.I invite you to send me a message if you have any questions about the content of this course. With the 30-day 100% money back guarantee, there is no reason why you should not try the course out right now.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction to the Course

Lecture 1 Why Realism?

Lecture 2 What Will You Learn?

Lecture 3 How Will You Learn?

Lecture 4 About the Author

Section 2: Thucydides: Lessons from the Peloponnesian War

Lecture 5 Thucydides: Introduction

Lecture 6 Melian Dialogue

Lecture 7 Thucydides and Realism

Lecture 8 Thucydides and International Security

Lecture 9 Thucydides and Human Nature and Morality

Lecture 10 Thucydides' Trap

Section 3: Machiavelli: The Amorality of The Prince

Lecture 11 Machiavelli: Life Background

Lecture 12 Machiavelli and Speaking Truth to Power

Lecture 13 Machiavelli on Keeping Word and Lying

Lecture 14 Machiavelli on Being Feared vs Being Loved

Lecture 15 Machiavelli and Power

Lecture 16 Machiavelli and State

Lecture 17 How does Machiavelli Stay Relevant?

Section 4: Hobbes: Leviathan and State of Nature

Lecture 18 Hobbes and Leviathan

Lecture 19 Leviathan on State of Nature

Lecture 20 Leviathan on Laws of Nature

Lecture 21 Leviathan on Role of Sovereign

Lecture 22 Hobbes and Realism

Section 5: Morgenthau: The Father of Classical Realism

Lecture 23 Morgenthau: Introduction

Lecture 24 Morgenthau on Human Nature

Lecture 25 Morgenthau on the Nature of Power

Lecture 26 Morgenthau on Moral Principles in International Politics

Lecture 27 Morgenthau on Moral Claims in Foreign Policy

Lecture 28 Morgenthau on the Autonomy of Political Sphere

Lecture 29 Morgenthau on Realism and Idealism

Lecture 30 Morgenthau on Sovereignty, War and Peace

Section 6: Waltz: Neorealism and Anarchy

Lecture 31 Waltz: Introduction

Lecture 32 Three Images of International Relations

Lecture 33 The Individual Level and Systemic Perspective

Lecture 34 Waltz and Anarchy

Lecture 35 Anarchy and Conflict

Lecture 36 Peace through Balance of Power

Section 7: Mearsheimer: Offensive Realism and Power

Lecture 37 Mearsheimer on Waltz's Realism

Lecture 38 Mearsheimer and Offensive Realism

Lecture 39 Assumptions of Offensive Realism

Lecture 40 Comparing Three Strands of Realism

Lecture 41 Why are International Relations Tragic?

Section 8: Consolidate Your Knowledge

Lecture 42 Revising Thucydides

Lecture 43 Revising Machiavelli

Lecture 44 Revising Hobbes

Lecture 45 Revising Morgenthau

Lecture 46 Revising Waltz

Lecture 47 Revising Mearsheimer

Section 9: Realism and Contemporary World Politics

Lecture 48 Realism and COVID-19

Lecture 49 Realism and US Foreign Policy

Lecture 50 Realism and the Rise of China

Section 10: Bonus Lectures

Lecture 51 Neoclassical Realism: Between Foreign Policy and Neorealism

Lecture 52 6 Tips for Writing Essays and Dissertations

Section 11: Bonus Lecture: Discount Coupons

Lecture 53 Bonus Lecture: Discount Coupons

Individuals interested in International Relations and the problems of international politics.,Students of Politics and International Relations who want to consolidate their knowledge and improve their grades.,Commentators, bloggers and journalists covering international politics.,Policy practitioners who want to improve their analytical skills and better understand the context of their policy activities.