1st Edition
Realist Paradigm of International Relations Power, Systems and Game Theories
This book explores realist theories—also called power politics approaches, formulations of systems theories, and game theory in International Relations (IR).
The first section of the book focuses on theories of Early Classical Realism—Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes, and two Asian exponents—Kautilya and Han Fei Tzu. It covers the rise and fall of different schools of imperial geopolitics including those developed during the Cold-War and postmodern periods. It also discusses theories proposed by three stalwarts of Neoclassical Realism— Niebuhr, Carr, and Morgenthau; the Neorealism of Waltz; Strategic Realism of Schelling; and Offensive Realism of Mearsheimer. The book also examines theoretic formulations of Kaplan, Modelski, Rosecrance, McClelland, Holsti, and Singer, as well as game theory and its relevance and application in international relations. It explores diverse variants of theories of power in international relations through a critical readings of texts and IR literature.
This book will be of interest to researchers and students of political science, international relations, history and law.
Preface. Acknowledgements. List of Abbreviations. 1. Introduction: Situating the Realist Paradigm of International Relations Amidst Its Great Debates 2 Early Classical Realism and Its Treatment of Power and Community: Thucydides, Kautilya, Master Han Fei Tzu, Machiavelli, and Hobbes 3 Geopolitics: Beyond Mahan, Mackinder, Haushofer, Spykman, and the Sprouts toward the Environmental and New/Critical/Postmodern Turns 4 Neoclassical Realism or Power Politics and Its Nuances: Niebuhr, Carr and Morgenthau 5 Neorealism: Kenneth Waltz, His Images and Levels of Analysis 6 Strategic Realism and Offensive Realism: Schelling and Mearsheimer 7 Realism’s Internal and External Critiques 8 Systems Theory: Kaplan, Modelski, Rosecrance, McClelland, Holsti and Singer 9 Game Theory or the Theory of Interdependent Decisions in IR. Index.
Biography
Amartya Mukhopadhyay is former Professor and Chair of Political Science Department, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Commerce at Kalyani University, India; and former Professor and Chair of Political Science Department, Calcutta University, India. His research interests include political theory, political thought, IR theory, policy studies, cultural politics and sociology of literature. His recent publications include, Politics, Society and Colonialism: An Alternative Understanding of Tagore’s Responses, Foundation Books (2010); India in Russian Orientalism: Travel Narratives and Beyond (2013); (Ed.) Contextualizing Democratic Governance in India: Some Perspectives (2013) and Tura, Trisha and Debang-er Galpo (Stories of Tura, Trisha and Debang), Bengali Fiction (2023).
