Are you a realist?

[Napkiraly]

I've been wondering for a time how many realists NSG has when it comes to international relations. For those of you who don't know what realism is, in regards to international relations some of the core ideas it holds are: international anarchy (no actors above states can regulate other states), the rejection of injecting foreign relations with morality, relations are determined by levels of power, all nations are working towards their own self-interest, distrust of any long term alliances, overall interest is the survival of the nation and keeping the balance of power.

There are two main camps one being offensive realism (all states are inherently aggressive) or defencive realism (all states are obsessed with security). There are also different branches of realism going all the way from classical to symbiotic, but overall the theme remains the same.

As for myself, I'd say I'm predominantly a realist. I mostly adhere to the Liberal realism branch, although I believe the structural and symbiotic branches have their merits. This is because I believe it is the best way to conduct foreign affairs and it really the only way to describe the behaviour of nations on the international stage, for the most part. I guess the only time I'd put morality first is in a case of genocide, and a real one, not just a government killing off lots of people and even then it would depend on the circumstances. Overall, in my opinion realism will lessen the chances of conflicts arising due to nations understanding where the other side is coming from, and allowing issues to be solved in a pragmatic manner. If you inject morality or values into your foreign affairs, it can cause a nation to get tangled up into some messy situations and create conflicts and tensions (again for the most part) when there needn't be any.

So members of NSG, do you consider yourself a realist? If so, which branch and camp do you identify with? If you don't believe you're one or oppose realism, state why.
Poll included.
This thread is strictly about realism in international relations, not the philosophy of realism in general.

[Genivaria]

My philosophy is more like a majority of Idealism barely restrained by a bit of Pragmatism.
I believe its called Liberalism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internatio ... Liberalism

[Cruciland]

Well, looks like I'm very surreal...

[Zeppy]

I support imperialism.

[Napkiraly]

My philosophy is more like a majority of Idealism barely restrained by a bit of Pragmatism.

Fair enough, but human nature and history has turned me somewhat into a cynic. Not to say I don't have certain ideals I would like to see come true (if I believe they will or nor is a different matter), it's just I don't think they should dictate how nations deal with one another.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I try to be, but am not always successful.

[Ifreann]

Fantasy is way more fun than reality.

[Genivaria]

My philosophy is more like a majority of Idealism barely restrained by a bit of Pragmatism.

Fair enough, but human nature and history has turned me somewhat into a cynic. Not to say I don't have certain ideals I would like to see come true (if I believe they will or nor is a different matter), it's just I don't think they should dictate how nations deal with one another.

I fail to see how its 'human nature' that caused you to be a cynic.
More likely you saw some examples of bad humans doing bad things and mistakenly call it 'Human Nature'.
Human Nature is nothing more then an excuse to protect the status quo.

Cynicism is the philosophy of those who have given up.

[Great Yorkshire]

Fantasy is way more fun than reality.

This. Did you know for example that in reality... people don't have laser eyes... even in emergencies... even laser-based emergencies.

[Souseiseki]

Realism is just an excuse people use to try and get away with being dicks/monsters and causing incredible suffering while pretending that doing so makes them really smart and edgy compared to dummy hippies.

For example, see the OP, sure genocide is bad, but what about the CIRCUMSTANCES? What do I get out of this?!

[Samuraikoku]

I consider myself neutral.

[Ifreann]

Fantasy is way more fun than reality.

This. Did you know for example that in reality... people don't have laser eyes... even in emergencies... even laser-based emergencies.

It's shameful.

[Souseiseki]

Realism is just an excuse people use to try and get away with being dicks/monsters and causing incredible suffering while pretending that doing so makes them really smart and edgy compared to dummy hippies.

For example, see the OP, sure genocide is bad, but what about the CIRCUMSTANCES? What do I get out of this?!

Actually, you know on NSG, when you see a 14 year old talking about people being tortured or people starving and defending it by proclaiming "WELL THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS WHAT DO YOU EXPECT US TO DO ABOUT IT GEEZ"? Scale that up to national policy.

[Mavorpen]

I fail to see how its 'human nature' that caused you to be a cynic.
More likely you saw some examples of bad humans doing bad things and mistakenly call it 'Human Nature'.
Human Nature is nothing more then an excuse to protect the status quo.

Cynicism is the philosophy of those who have given up.

No it's not.

[Napkiraly]

Fair enough, but human nature and history has turned me somewhat into a cynic. Not to say I don't have certain ideals I would like to see come true (if I believe they will or nor is a different matter), it's just I don't think they should dictate how nations deal with one another.

I fail to see how its 'human nature' that caused you to be a cynic.
More likely you saw some examples of bad humans doing bad things and mistakenly call it 'Human Nature'.
Human Nature is nothing more then an excuse to protect the status quo.

It's not bad people doing bad things, it's more people always looking after their own interests first and foremost. For the most part humans are not entirely altruistic, unless it is someone in dire need. This can even be explained as to why humans are more group orientated, if being part of group A allows your interests to be met, you'll join group A. People are capable of doing good things, and for the most part I believe we do try to do good, but mostly for non-altruistic purposes.

[Genivaria]

I fail to see how its 'human nature' that caused you to be a cynic.
More likely you saw some examples of bad humans doing bad things and mistakenly call it 'Human Nature'.
Human Nature is nothing more then an excuse to protect the status quo.

Cynicism is the philosophy of those who have given up.

No it's not.

Apologies, I was referring to the common meaning of the word, not the original one.

[Mavorpen]

No it's not.

Apologies, I was referring to the common meaning of the word, not the original one.

I'm not sure how the hell it became to mean what it means today.

[The United Soviet Socialist Republic]

I try to be. When I become the imperialistic dictator of Germany who gets caught in a two fronted war between Russia and America I get no illusions I can defeat them.

[Napkiraly]

Realism is just an excuse people use to try and get away with being dicks/monsters and causing incredible suffering while pretending that doing so makes them really smart and edgy compared to dummy hippies.

For example, see the OP, sure genocide is bad, but what about the CIRCUMSTANCES? What do I get out of this?!

By circumstances I meant if the nation committing genocide has a shit load of nukes, then I'll let it slide grudgingly. Genocide is the one issue that I'll tell realism to go fuck itself, unless the scenario I just gave is in effect.

Also realism is not trying to get away with being a dick, it's trying not to get us into shit that isn't our problem unless the other side makes it one.

[Genivaria]

Apologies, I was referring to the common meaning of the word, not the original one.

I'm not sure how the hell it became to mean what it means today.

People trying to justify their pessimism?

[Kakistopolis]

Kakistopolis has eliminated much political discord among its citizens and licensed chattel breeders with decades of research into neurochemical dosiometrics and manipulation administered by intra-cerebral microprocessor implants and regulated by an ultra-secure satellite and ground-based central computer communications network which can rapidly identify psychological manifestations of impending counter-government political initiatives and increase or reduce the psychotropic control doses monitored by each citizen or chattel property's implanted circuitry.

Kakistopolitan social scientists long ago discovered that such a regime of closely monitored pharmacological enticements managed by surgically implanted microchips might realistically decrease the likelihood of other nation's peoples disobeying direct orders from the Kakistopolitan government without permission, which has been a major hurdle to the noble goal of de-non-Kakistopolitanizing the planet.

[Great Yorkshire]

I try to be. When I become the imperialistic dictator of Germany who gets caught in a two fronted war between Russia and America I get no illusions I can defeat them.

You could duck. And the bullets would go over your head... and both your enemies would shoot each other! It's the perfect plan!

[Mavorpen]

I'm not sure how the hell it became to mean what it means today.

People trying to justify their pessimism?

Well, let's just use that word then.

[Disserbia]

Constructivist

[Genivaria]

I try to be. When I become the imperialistic dictator of Germany who gets caught in a two fronted war between Russia and America I get no illusions I can defeat them.

You could duck. And the bullets would go over your head... and both your enemies would shoot each other! It's the perfect plan!

Or you could just take the easy way out via cyanide pill...you know, like a bitch.
Suck it Hitler.