Approach
* Approach refers to selection of criteria for selecting, studying,
explaining and understanding an issue or problem
* Itrelates to looking at the issue/problem from a particular angle
and explaining the phenomena from the same angle
* However, different scholars have chosen different criteria and
different angle for understanding and explaining a
problem/issue, thus resulted in different approaches.Classical Approach
+ Also called traditional approach
* Concerned with descriptive analysis of IR
+ Main objective is to report and analyze current international events,
issues and problems and then to speculate on these
+ The worth and value of a work is judged by the reputation of the
‘scholar, the authenticity and reliability of the judgment, evidence for
extensive research, the clarity and the eloquence of the facts
* emphasizes the studying of such disciplines as diplomatic history,
international law, and philosophy in order to develop a better insights
and understanding of the events, issues and problems
* Traditionalists are strongly distrustful of behaviorist approaches that
focuses on strict scientific standards and methods such as formulating
hypothesis, data collection and the use of statistical analysis for
concluding resultsScientific Approach
* Become popular in the 20" century after WWI
+ Assumes that IR involve people and thus can be understood,
analyzed, explained and predicted just like other science
discipline
+ Applies scientific method in analyzing and explaining human
behaviour
+ Aims to develop theories and general principles to help in
understanding international phenomena and predicting events.
* Concerned with the method than the substance/subject matter
while the traditional approach takes the converse viewThe Realist Approach
* Aset of ideas that focuses on security and power factors
+ Assumes that the international system is anarchical and based
on fear, conflicts, insecurity and competing goals
* Astate has to protect itself from a potentially aggressive
neighbour by seeking power
* Thus, there is a continuous contest between states for power
and the struggle to increase their power
* The power is needed to further one’s national interests
(sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence etc.)
* This struggle for power can neither be controlled nor given up
* To increase one's power is the ultimate aim with all states
* Realism tries to describe politics rationally than morallyRealists Approach cont.
+ Supported by Hobbes, Machiavelli, Morgenthau, Kissinger
* Peace in the world can be maintained only by a balance of
power between the most powerful states
* Morgenthau: ‘International politics like all politics is a struggle for
power. Whatever, the ultimate aims of international politics,
power is the ultimate aim’
+ Further Morgenthau emphasized That Politics can not be
understood in terms of religious or moral terms but in terms of
power which helps in promoting national interests
+ Interests are not fixed but molded by environment.
* The observance of moral principles changes for individual and
state. The state is not bound to follow the moral principles as set
for individuals.Criticism of Realism
* The theory focus on power and struggle for power but its difficult
to define power which is a very complex term.
* Its difficult to measure power of a state objectively and
accurately. Thus struggle for power becomes even more
complex and difficult.
+ The theory assumes that men and state's action are motivated
by seeking power. But this is not the situation on international
level and had it been, there would have been an unending race
for power and armaments. The states cooperate with each other
and conduct peaceful relations with each other.
* State's action are not solely governed by seeking power. The
states also work for promotion of ideology, business activity,
sports, promotion of culture and exchange etc.Criticism of Realism
+ The states also perform many activities and invest in them
although there is no power derived from such activities e.g.
international sport events, conferences and seminars, film
festivals and awards etc.
* The balance of power is not a reliable method for maintaining
peace. Unipolar world exist at present
* Military power has a declining importance in todays world. The
military spending is on decrease. Arms control and disarmament
is followed by many states.
* Realism is a conservative and against moral principles. It terms
human nature as wicked and flawed which is not right.The Idealist Approach
+ Opposite of realist approach
* Main supporters: Condorcet, Kant, Rousseau, Wilson
+ Regards realist approach as in a dying phase
* Believes that states are like individual. Human being is not always bad
as the realist believes. They believe that goodness lies in man. He
lives in groups following some norms, rules and regulations.
+ Similarly, states are not as bad, struggling to get power or troublesome
as hold by the realist, rather failed state are the ones that portray bad
behaviours. Autocratic states are always bad and go for war
* States follow certain values and rules based on mutual cooperation
and goals. This interaction among state would result in international
institution like (League of Nations, United Nation Organization and
other regional organization such as SAARC, EU, ASEAN etc )The Idealist Approach
* It's the future of international society
* Believes that the power politics, violence and immorality will be
reformed
* The world would become a safe and better place to live free
from power struggle
* This would be achieve through education and international
organizations, international law, science and reason
+ Idealists visualize a world free from war, tyranny, immorality and
conflict
* Personal and national interest would be replaced by interest of
humanity and mankindThe Idealist Approach
* The idealist also perceives a world government to be finally
achieve
* The idealist approach is more ideal and far from reality
* The realist approach is closer to actual truth