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Jay Jadav
America and the World
790 Political Science 202
Fall 2014
Midterm Exam
Question 1
What is a Paradigm? A paradigm is a simple way of thinking and approaching a scientific
theory or inquiry that is widely accepted in the specific discipline. When people think of
international relations theory, the two paradigms that pop up are international realism and
international liberalism. Both of these views are different in many ways. Also both can be related
in many ways as well. International Realism was brought up by a two philosophers, one from
Italy named Niccolo Machiavelli and an English philosopher named Thomas Hobbes.
Realism is a theory that has an importance of the states operating within the state of
anarchy. This means that anything goes, “every man has a right to everything, even to one
another’s body” this is trying to say that you can do whatever it takes for you to survive.
Realism focuses on one key word, which is Power. Power is everything in Realism. Realists
focus on achieving the most power. Realists try and achieve national power with geography,
natural resources, economy, population and military. They believe that politics is governed by
objective laws that have their roots in human nature. Realism had many different views such as
always being pessimistic about the world being peaceful. They always thought others states were
ready to attack at mercy. Realists are also unsure of the theory on whether it is correct or not.
Power is the driving force for its political life; this is the one that they focus on achieving the
most Realists would think that people are bad; they would think that people are out to get them.
Also it would support it because they believe that it is every man for themselves. It’s either you
or the person in front of you. They believe you must do whatever it takes to survive. Realism has
changed a lot than before. Now realists think that laws are impervious to our preferences. Their
theory now consists of ascertain facts and giving them meaning through reason. They have six
principles all together. The second principle refers to political realism to navigate international
politics is the concept of interest defined as power opposed to economics and religion. Principle
