Hans Morgenthau was a leading figure in the study of
international politics. Believing that science and technology were being overused as a
way to find solutions to political problems, he put forth six principles of political
realism.
1. The first principle is that overall, politics
and society are governed by rules that are rooted in human nature. This means that
attempting to solve a political problem in a way that would require a party to act
against their nature would be largely unsuccessful or
unsustainable.
2. The interest of the parties involved can
be defined as power. This means that no matter what issue is being investigated in the
realm of politics, the main goal for the politician is to remain in control of his/her
people.
3. While the interest of the political leader is
power, what "power" means can change. What keeps the party in control or having control
over the population can change. The shifts in what constitutes power has to be addressed
when negotiating. It is possible that one party may bring to the table a means of
control that would no longer work for the other party, rendering the negotiations
ineffective.
4. In politics, morality is relative. Options
that may seem reprehensible at one moment can become workable at another time. Sometimes
a situation may call for the lesser of two evils to be chosen, and while the best
possible choice is made, it can sill appear amoral.
5. Not
all nations abide by the same moral code. As with the fourth principle, this indicates
that context is necessary when determining the moral value of an event or condition. Not
all cultures have the same values. A suggestion that seems casual and completely fine
for one man may seem vulgar and insulting to another. This has to be kept in mind when
dealing with the international community.
6. Political
realism is a distinct school of thought. While it recognizes human nature, it also
argues that men in political situations do not always act by legal or moral means in the
attempt to keep power, leading to the necessity of integrating human nature with the
need for power when trying to solve and predict political
problems.
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