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Kenneth Waltz Capabilities Essay

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Section A; 1) How does Kenneth Waltz’s idea of ‘capabilities’ differ from Hans Morgenthau’s idea of ‘power’? Does this have any effect on how each view the nature of international politics?

Introduction
This paper will focus on the main difference of certain points in two theories, idea of “capabilities” by neorealist Kenneth Waltz and idea of “power” by Hans Morgenthau. Both theorists tried to explain how the international system works and how its structure has an influence on the international politics.
In first two parts of this essay, there will be described individual theories, and in the third part there will be a comparative analysis of colliding ideas about same factors.

Hans J. Morgenthau
Early realists (e.g. Carr) wrote only theoretical texts but never offered any paradigm. Such a paradigm is brought by Hans Morgenthau in “Politics among nations” (1948). In the text, Morgenthau claims that the realism is based on unchanging human nature, creating “a world of conflicting interests” and conflicts. Morgenthau also believes that we can find the desire to dominate in all kinds of human associations (family, organizations, state …). In addition if some state would be freed from desire for power it would be destructive for it – it would fell victim to the powers of others. Therefore the struggle for power is not only permanent but it is also necessary.
Morgenthau closely examines the definition of the concept of power. He understands the power of the subject like

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