Morgan Thou's Theory Of Power

JAWARIA ANUM BS ECO 2K13

Q. Explain Hans J Morgan Thau’s concept of power or interest defined in terms of power?

Ans. Hans J Morgan Thou (February 17, 1904 – July 19, 1980) was one of the renowned twentieth century realists in international relations. He made lots of contributions to international relations theory and the study of international law. His book Politics among Nations was published in 1948.He wrote about international politics and United States foreign policy. He

Realist school of thought considers states-nations as the main actors in international relations and their main concern is the study of power. Morgenthau laid emphasis on the importance of “the national interest” .In his book Politics among nations he wrote "the main signpost that helps political realism to find its way through the landscape of international politics is the concept of interest defined in terms of power”. Morgan thou is considered as a classical realist whereas Kenneth Waltz is a Neo realist. • REALISM AND POLITICS AMONG NATIONS (1948):
Morgenthau’s intellectual trajectory was more complicated than it was thought and was shown by scholarly assessments. His realism explained moral considerations and he favored supranational control of nuclear weapons in last part of his life .He opposed the U.S. role in the Vietnam War. There are six principles of political realism explained by Hans J Morgan Thou in his book Politics among

Morgenthau agreed with Hobbes that feelings of insecurity in man are prevalent and the moral history of mankind tells the story of inner insecurity. According to Hobbes, men 's lives are full of "cruelty, brutish egotism and unconstrained passion that is directed by insecurity and fear in the state of nature.”(3)Morgenthau presented two things that characterize mankind. First is arising from the inner insecurity of man and his will to achieve power to overcome the insecurity and conflict and evil desires can arise from the will to gain power or the desire to maintain power. On the other hand war can occur from the second drive which is more of a primary selfishness .It arises from the competition to get maximum of scarce resources that keeps man alive. Morgenthau viewed that the thirst for power is an essential assumption to understand what the nature of politics is because man’s desire to gain power is evident from every society. At the international level, "politics is of necessity power politics"; political theory as applied to international relations "is the theory of survival."Mentioning the lust of power which is a necessary component of the political process, Morgenthau referred to the “stigma of guilt” and “immorality” which is unavoidable in the political behavior. Morgenthau said" To the degree in which the essence and aim of politics is power over man, politics is evil . . . the