pproaches t3 he Siud: of internationa!

Pblitic
The vaiious approaches ior the study o! intemational policy have been
divided by Hediey Bu into twc categories ii ciassicai approach and
scienic approach.
CLASSICAL OR TRADITIONAL APPROACH
The ciassicai approech is also knoun as traditional
approach. This
approac *as in vogue t tre middie of the present cenury, even though at
pPsent cEiain writes continue to subscribe to this approach. These writers
maint: adc descriptive analysis of interr.ational relations The main
Approaches to the Siudv of obieti of the scholars adopting tradiionai approach was "to report and
analyse curTent intemaiona! probiems and to specuiate on these sources and
International Poittics outcomes ei variouS poiicy alternatives íor
specific staies or íor internationai
T eory and orgenisation) According io Hediey Buli the raditiona approach is "the ap-
(The Reeist Theory, Sysiesa Decisien
Making Theor)
o he reaso::s ior proach neorising that derives from philoscphy, history and law, and that
One inc de Ee o
eppro&cthes 1o the stud of is charecterised above ali oy explicii reliance
interrational affairs and ior i e 2bsence Oi an agreec-upor. iram.e c reier
upon the exercise of judgement
is the iack of a basiC theory. and by the assumptions that we confine ourselves to strict standards of
eriication and proo there is vern litte of significance that can be said about
-Niorgenthau international reiatons that general propesitions about ihis
he scope of
subject must,
inteInaionai relations therefore, derive fiom a scientificaliy imperfect process o:
has greatiy expanded over the years anc o late scholars heve tied io buiid
intuition, and that these generai propositions cannot de accorded
perception or
up certain theories of internaicnal poitics. Ti! vey recent tirmes scholars anything
more
than the tentative and inconclusive status
appropriate to their douotui
studied intermationa! politics as it is and paid no attention to the proitem oi origin."

policies it ought to be. They conceived international relations as a

as In other words, the traditiona!
generalised pictureof the internationa! scene and did not buid up any and value judgement
approach is basically nomative, qualitative
approach. According to Grieves, the vaiue oí a work
thecries with a view to expiain the behauiour on the internationai scene based on this approach is
"usuaily measured by the reputation cf the scholar,
the extent to which his or her
However, in recen: years s.holait urder the inpact cf behavioural sciences judgement is trusted, the evidenoe of thorougk
have tried to buitd up ti:eorieS Oi intemational solitic and the scope of the research, the lucidity with which the discussion is presented, or the nerves
grezi changes. The scholars insteed givinga cí touct:ed with an eioquent or
subject kas underzor.e moving phiosophical discourse." The traditional
istorica: narreive o! the wori evens have preierred to
ciscus: the cvents approach was adopted by most o the scholars til the
mede its appearance. It nourished tuo scienäfic apprczch
with a view to tiraorise. dominant scholars of intemational
politica thought; idealism' and ealism and
Approaches greaty contributed to the
sophisticated understanding of the natuie and determinants
of intemationa!
Scholars have adopted cifferert approachee for the stud; desirable to reiations of
international
it shal! be
poliics. Before wa examine hese epproaches Ven Dyke,
The traditionai approach mainly concerns
understand the meaning of ter: 'apprcach'.
According o Vemon itselí with the historical
ef se!sctior-criieria empBoyed
in seleting dimensions and iays emphasis on diplomatic, historicai and institutional
an approæch "consists oí a criterna Sudies. No wonder, the
2nd in selecting the
data to erng to classical approach had
problems or questions to consider historical approach; various variants, viz.,
The
govering the inc!usior: i t EiCi0
philosophical
approoch. Tne historica! approachapproach; legal approach and institutaona
beax, consists of sta:cards is a sct oi stancards
quesi:ons and da:a". in sinple words,
an approaci:
period of history io find out an focussed on the past or on a selected
and dala tor zcademi explanation of what institutions
cxciusion o: questions carme into are-now they
governing the, inclusion and
from a particular ange
anc being and makes an analysis of these
tho problem This institutions as they stand.
Purposes. It implies looking at
As diferent schoiars
nave approach heiped in illuminating the
explaining the
phenormenon from the same argle.
and dal an cpCa
othe past.
The phiosophicai approach present by the drawing on the wisdom
criteria for seiecting problerns ior the stuey o regarded stat2 as an
agent of
adopted differert in different
approaches .Hediey Bul, "Internationai Theory: The Case
anerent standpoints,
this has resulted Potics, April 1966, p. for Classica!
a

international relations.
361 Approacih," Werld
 International Politicg
Approaches to the Study of International Pblitic
attainment nt of
for
and
stood
was abstract THE REALIST AND THE IDEALIST APPROACH
provernent of international relations, in
defective in so far asapproach
ach laid Before we examine the ontroversy between the classicists and the
perpetual peace. But approach was
The legal
s the
regulate the
and speculative and from reality.
far removed law to
world intermational law to
behaviouralists, it shall be desirable to examine the two variants of the
emphasis on the need of having a stem of classical approach, viz., Realists and ldealists.
behaviour of nation-states and insisted on a code ofs o m e legal machinery (a) The Real ist
ensure world peace and security. It insisted on evolving on of judicial Approach
arbitr Kealism in international relations does not mean reality as abstract ideas
for resolving state conflicts throughproach mediation,
the formal structure as
focussed on Ploto expressed to the political expedience which Machiavelli propounded,
setement.
for the
Finally, the institutional
and enforcement of principle
of international
law It laid
or the
philosophic doctrine of empiricism given by John Locke. "lt is rather
maintenance of peace a set ot ideas
of the
organisational
which take into account the implications of
law. It laid special emphasis on the of
and structure thelike
League security and power
special emphasis on the study of the organisation ILO, lactors The ideas ernerge out of the individual's belief that others are always
agencies trying to destroy him and, therefore, he must be
of Nations, the United Nations, and other specialised approaches always ready to destroy
traditional others whenever need be in
UNESCO, etc. It is noteworthy that all the abovescholars adopting these order to protect himself. Thus the basic
possessed an element of normativis and the
assumption underlying the realist theory is the
international relanonS
into perpetual existence of conílict
among nations In one form or the other. This is taken
made no effort to convert the study of as a fixed doctrine.
It
PPDaches is, therefore, evident that a contest for
a science. power is going on in the world and this
can neither be
controlled nor regulated by international law or world
SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
government or an international
t:e study organisation. Thus, realism unequivocally
On the other hand, the scientific the behaiioural approachof for
or
the
accepts as its guíding principle the
permanence of the struggle for powe.
international politics, which became popular in the
wake >econd The prominent realists include the
oWond War, lays more emphasis on the methods of study rather 13n the Nicolo Machiavelli. In ecent
lassical theorists Thomas Hobbes and
that years George Kennan and Hans J. Morgenthau,
Subject-matter. This approach is based on the simple proposition Henry Kissinger, etc. have been the leading
exponents of the realist theory.
like any other social activity involves people and hence
infernational politics The best exposition of the realistic
theory of international relations has been
the behaviour of people
i t could be explained by anelysing and explaininginternational
as
offered by Morgenthau. He says: "international
reladuns. The politics, like all politics, is
a
it is (éfiexed in heir activities in the feld of struggle for power. Whatever the ultimate aims of international
politics, power
Scientiic approach applies scientific method and ignores the boundaries of is always the
immediate aim. Statesmen and people may
freedom, security, prosperity of power itself. They may defineultimately
be to seek
orthodox nsists that central aim of the research should
disciplines.It their goals in
it is
study the behaviour of men. A notable feature of this approach is that terms of a religious,
philosophic, economic or social ideal. They may hope
interdisciplinary and draws from various social sciences like sociology, that this ideal will materialise
through its own inner force, through divine
psychology and anthropology. The scientific approach differs fom the intervention, or through the natural development of human affairs.
They may
traditional approach in so farthere is a définite trend away from
as also try to further its realisation
through non-political means, such as technical
description, legal analysis and policy advice.Its. objective has not been to co-operation with other nations or intermational organisations. But whenever
assess the main issues in the cold war or describe current international they strive to realise their goal by means of intemational
development, but to create explanatory theories about international by striving for power." politics, they do so
phenomena, and in some cases, even to propose the development of a Morgenthau in his Realist Theory laid emphasis on six principles which are
general and predictive science of international relations. as under
In short, it can be said that the scholars who are concerned with the Firstly, politics governed by objective laws which are based on human
is
substance rather than the method adoptclassicalapproach, while the scholars nature and psychology. We can understand the political phenomena
Aho are concermed with the method rather than the substance adopt scientiic developing a political theory based on human psychology and by
approach. However, it would be wrong to assume that these two approaches laid emphasis on ascertaining of facts and reason. He
are necessarily incompetible. In fact a number of scholars have successtully giving them meaning through
reason.,
combined these two approaches and produced fruitful results
Secondly, Morgenthau lays great emphasis on the concept of national
1. KJ. Holsti, International plitlcs: A framework for Analysis p.9. Interest which he defines in terms of power. He
says that politics cannot be
 nternational Pohree
understood in moral or religious terms. It can be Aprooches to the Study of International Aolitic

basis. In other words, he laid understood onv rationai

emphasis on presentation on
rather then indiscrinirate iescription of rcationship emong more than 150 nation states of the
modern world renders
poBitical stucy. rational
a
of the adonal theory even mon complex.
Thirdiy Morgenthau holis that interest is not fixed then
environmens. Thus he and is
moulded èy the
Secondlu the theory wiongly assumes that ali men
and states seek their
assigns mporant ok to gationa! nterests in ferns of
power. lf it were so, there would be
determinaton ofpolitcal action. environmerts in th constant
struggie going on beween various states and there would be no
Fourthlu Morgenthau asserts that universal morai conduct ot international relations. In fact, the element of mutuai
systematic
applied to state's actions and these must be modiied principles canct be among the members of the intermational community exertises
co-operation
circumstances of time and place. He says hat the according to the Huence on the conduct of intemational relations.
profound in-
state is not cpsctad to Stanley Hofimann
otserve the same standards of mcraity as are nchty observed: "it is particularty uncomfortable when one's basic
has
observed by the individual. He
argues, the incividual may say or himself "et justice be postulate
done even f the out hunian naun is such that history cennot be anything but a tale full
worid perishes" bu: he state has no right to of
say so. The individue! may sOurd erd fury. signitying nothing. For it is a postulate which stresses the
sacrniice himsel in defenoe of moal principes but the state ire itability and unirsality of evi and which assumes that reason iar from
sacrifice its liberty for moral principles. Realism also as no ight o
holds tha ai follouing i owa inheent impuises is driven towards its goal by the
supreme virtue in posiis; without prudence thet cannot de irrational
any poiical forces and end of which it serves. Now, this view makes it aimost
morality to unde:stand how there couc be a nationai
impossitble
theory of nationai human
Ffthly Morgentheu does not ind any identity betueen moral behavicur.
aspirations
of a nation end the morel iau vhich govern te universe and asserts that a Thirdiy: the theory wongy assumes that
power is the most
politcal actors pursue their naticnei inke is this concept of interest which the nations pursue. in fact, other considerations like important goal
which saves the nstion frem politice! foiy añd mora! excess wefare, securizy. protection and promotion of
wealth, cultural
Finaliy Morgertau ays tat politca! sphere s as autonomous s the the actions of the states.
ideology also greaty infuence
spheres of tihe ecoromit, or ts iwyer te moralist. Ihe poliical actors Fourthly theory is defective in so far it teats the world as a static unit
think in tems oi interest as the economist thinks in terme of utlit, the lawyer which power is a permanent guiding facto. This is in
against the weli-acoepted
in terms of conformity cf action with morai principles. Theugh the raalist
theory edmts the ievanae ci nongcitesi standards of thougnt. but treats
fact that the nations keep on
changing from time to time.
them as suberdinate t the randands of poitis
Fifthiy Duke has seerely criticised the reaist theory. ie
werr aiays te end in itself, saus "if power
Sinsesy, Kennan alo asers that the national interest s a reliable guide politics could be likened to a ga:ne the object
of wnich is to seiect the cument. it
would presumably be a more
to integent policy and eact sate tics to sfeguard i rationei interest. than is chess or
baseball, but sti! the outcome wouki be without bioody game
However, ernan isis cn adoptrg marai approach in te forriation cf significa.nce. The victory of one participant in the morai
the natiorai interesis. On the other hand, game would be followed
policy tie sefeguarding sacner or later
by the victory of another. and life would be
Morgentheu compiedey ignores the moral aspect and insists en taking n:ion endes rourd of made up of
meaningess stuggle. Each victor would have demonstrated
a interess as tey s , the rral guide to the fcmulation and undersanding h power and that
ouid be that"
of internationai relations.Houevez,both of them egard the pouer pcis as
Sithiy the crities point out that
the basis of wodd poiace! iatiors. nteres caries is cwm Morgenthau's concepion that national
Criticien wen cocommodeticn morality hoks good only during the stabie periods
of nationa!
The ealist approach ias ieen szveny citcise
on the foioing ounds conditions when different rations objectives is possible But in the
present
are often ready to
First, the theuy suffers ior anbigui; and
s inconsistent
wih a y o aions, it wouid be eliminate
wrong to assume that nationai interest caries its other
on

is offered. For example, morality oun

universaly zcceptzble definisc of pcwer rdaticrship anors s*aES,but
Mongenthau talkes pouer s a zschologcal and t s ro psible EEnthy the realist theory is detective in so far it assumes that tere s
the psychological relatfons ihersekes are quite vague dCy a riationship or
activity which does not invoke powet. Actualky,
same. The st:dy
of complex pschologicai E E anumber of
to measure to sudy the
epOuE. such as no-poliical
intemational
relationships and activities which dc not
1
sports events, circuiation oi boois ang
Steriey Hcimann,
Cortemg
p o r Theory in iemsional Reiations, p. 30
 InternattonalPblitics
Approaches to the
Study of International Politics

political
concrete shape to his idealism through the text of the Treaty of Versailleskfie
20 made a strong plea for world peace and international organisation. All the
which
are
noTpoof tie
etc., abovewriters and thinkers visualised a future system
Other roading matter, private letters and
telegrams,
nteria
for the
separation

free from power poitics,

immorality and violence. On account of their optimism the idealists regard the
acrvites. Morgenthau does not suggest any regeics

political ectivitics from the non-political activiue in sofar as it iawyers

p e r Stnuggle as nothing but the passing phase of history. The theory

Finaliy the realist theory, ofMorgenthau,is

defective

economists,
or

t2 proceeds with the assumption thattheinterests ofvarious groups or nations

the politcel sphere :as eutonomous as the
spheres
of
of
autonomy.
Though

set cf
are
The
hkey to be adjusted in the larger interest of mankind as a whole.

moalists, but he is not quite cicat about

the n a t u r e with
limited
difficulty with this approach is that such a system could emerge only
politcs rrUst
deai
maintained iat a pcliticel r2alist should
or.y that y tollowing the moral principles in mutuail relations in place of power, which
asserts
hat
Politics he he says
5not possible in such
practice. Secondly. to bring about thean order
vanabies, yet in iis book Dilemmas of coxe. In other words, other

Piay the rolrs f he c m i n o r i.e2tir.g with

which
the
otalitarian forces must be crushed by through the use of
all means

politics must ve conrermed with all ' e

bles

aemocratic methods and the last necessity is the establishment of the wold
specialised sphercs deal. Al is leads to
enafusiðn.
cannot
be de ied governiment. The main criticism against this theory is that it runs shorf of
it factual position. The nations do not behave as
calist upproaci, .d is they are expected. As a resut
Despite these shortcomings of the nBages. First, it is
persuasive
that the apprcac!: ias three distirct
tie realist
approach
has iven therealisn in intemational relations appears to be more near the truth. A
supported by hictcrical ucierce. Gerorcly.
their own
ons.
assumpt.on rgid adherence to idealism is likely to lead to frustration. Looking at the
a joit to scholars ani compali2d o e-veluate
them the hases of realism nav to
terided glaringdefects
of
oftheideatisttheory amiddlte coursehas been adopted by a

diy, even those schola1s wio ienge is a great compine

school thought called Eclecticism.
the idealist
Eclecticism does not egard either the
t1icity to zy cn izalist persp2ctives,
whici
realist approach or approach as completely satisfactory. They
offer
approæch.
a
synthesis cofthe pessimism of realists and the optimism of idealists.
T u e Id:ailct App:aus According to Prof. Quincy Wright the
terms realism
and "idealism' are
or the r:aist the most be used to distinguish between short run
ne
cthar 2ert ai tic ç:csical approach
is the utopian
of history and
ambiguous. They can at
and long run policies. Realism would aim at the fulfiüment of the short run
pn:itics as the passing phase
EPproach,t eg*rds the porve intormatior.al rotion of
cociety based on the national policy aimed at the fulfilment.of the immediate necesities and
e n s t.e picie ei a f 2 2nd
T O r e i i'cruioral sustr:.a i.ze i.m power politics, immo.
the help of c Lcation
idealism on the
other hand represents the long nun poliy and would aim at
the objectives to be realised in the future. Thus realism cannot ignore the
Vi'erce. E : i ng. g 2out a tetter worid wih
uld and found is eint immediate needs for a rosy future and idealism cannot leave out the
Erd .ter r i rari üor. :is apro2c: isquite and prospective future only to solve the bleak present. In fact, neither of these two
c i .2l :icruioss fha rciczn Har ofIndependence cí
whcs2 Vorks approaches is wholy correct and both possess respective merits and demerits
e r c .wvrien cf i70).i.e most ingortant writers in
irclude Condorcet, Rousseeit, ant, For a balanced understanding of international relations it is desirable that
ie rach iiud ep.sioa contzined ealism and idealism must be intermingled. In the conduct of international
C:ndorcct vnote treatise which
k i :. in i:5, a
relations also,the statesmen should neither, show total aversion to the nomms
i i d r:d as the cieertial besis cf idealism in ihe int2.c.ational and values nor complete disregard to reality. Car has rightly suggested that
a t ns. aalised a wotd crderize iom war,inequzlity and anny
the combination of realism and idealism is the best solution. He says "Where
Tis rw wCulá e markeá by corstani progressin human vwelfare utopianism has become a hollow and intolerable sham, which serves merely
brcugit abt iy the use of 2ason, ecucation and science. Flousseau's
as a disguise for the interests of the privileged, the realist períorms an
ealist viavs e eleted from agment ca War. ite says: "When tho:sands
indispensable service in unmasking it. But pure realism can offer nothing but
f belicose coles iave slaughtered their prisuners, when thousands of
doctor in ihe ':2zp of trants have justfied tnese cri:mes, do not tnth inan's
a naked struggle for power which makes any kind of international society
crrors malter or heir barbarty to justice ? Let us not search for what has been
impossible. Having demolished the current utopia with the weapons of
realism, we still need to build a new utopia of our own, which will one day
dene
merceary
but :2er for what should be dore and let us dismiss evland
:ttiorntics who end up by naking men slaves,eviland mserable.
fall to the same weapons.*

"Simlart: eri imade &strong piea tor theprevention of war among states Years Crisis, p. 93.
and ceatio.fruf condiions
íorperpctual peace. But probably the greatest 1. E.H. Car, Twenty
voate o sie ideaist approacn was Fresident Wilson of USA who cave a