War and International Politics | John Mearsheimer | NDISC Seminar Series

NDISC・2 minutes read

War is an inherent aspect of international politics in a multipolar world, where great powers engage in security competition, highlighting the absence of a higher authority to prevent conflicts. Despite efforts to outlaw war, its ever-present possibility arises from fundamental disagreements among states, necessitating compromises to navigate through disputes.

Insights

The shift from a unipolar world dominated by the US to a multipolar world with the US, China, and Russia as great powers has led to a resurgence of security competition and the possibility of war among these major players.
Despite efforts to outlaw war, the absence of a higher authority in the international system, coupled with the anarchic nature of politics, makes war an ever-present option due to the fundamental disagreements that can escalate into conflicts, highlighting the inherent challenge of managing violence and national interests in international politics.

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Recent questions

What are the main themes in international politics?
The speaker discusses the essence of international politics, the decision to go to war, and the escalation of war as the main themes.
How do great powers interact in the current world?
Great powers like the US, China, and Russia engage in security competition and war in the multipolar world.
Can cooperation exist between states despite security competition?
Cooperation between states is possible even amidst security competition, as seen in historical examples like US-Soviet cooperation during the Cold War.
What factors contribute to the ever-present possibility of war?
The absence of a higher authority in the international system and the anarchic structure of politics contribute to the ever-present possibility of war.
How do military considerations impact political decisions in limited wars?
In limited wars, military considerations tend to dominate over political control, posing challenges in keeping conflicts restrained.

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Summary

00:00

"War and Politics in a Multipolar World"

The speaker addresses the topic of war and international politics, emphasizing the shift from a unipolar world dominated by the US to a multipolar world with the US, China, and Russia as great powers.
In the unipolar moment from 1991 to 2017, great power politics was absent due to the singular dominance of the US, but in the current multipolar world, security competition and war among great powers are possible.
The speaker, a realist, presents three main themes in their talk: the essence of international politics, the decision to go to war, and the escalation of war.
War is depicted as a dominant feature of international politics, influencing leaders' thinking and state interactions, with great powers engaged in constant security competition.
Despite efforts to outlaw war, its ever-present possibility stems from the nature of politics and the anarchic structure of the international system lacking a higher authority to prevent conflicts.
Politics is characterized by fundamental disagreements that can lead to violence, with states unable to remove war as an option due to the absence of a higher authority in the international system.
Cooperation is possible between states, even amidst security competition, as seen in examples like US-Soviet cooperation on nuclear proliferation during the Cold War.
International economics, unlike international politics, does not consider survival or anarchy, operating independently of these factors.
The speaker highlights the importance of understanding the intense competitiveness and enmity inherent in politics, emphasizing the need for compromises to navigate fundamental disagreements.
The destructiveness and threat to state survival in war underscore the inability to eliminate war as an option in international politics, given the nature of politics and the absence of a higher authority in the international system.

18:10

Globalization, War, and Just War Theory

Globalization focuses on cooperation on a large scale for prosperity, contrasting with survival concerns.
International economists prioritize prosperity over survival, emphasizing cooperation.
International politics trumps economics in conflicts, with great power wars having a significant impact on state behavior.
War's destructiveness from nationalism, industrialization, and nuclear weapons makes it less likely but still influential.
Just War Theory and international law dictate limited circumstances for initiating war, such as preemptive strikes or UN Security Council approval.
The Ukraine war was viewed as unjust and illegal due to a non-Clauswitzian perspective on international law and just War Theory.
The conventional view sees Putin's invasion as a war of opportunity for power gain, while others argue it was a preventive war to stop Ukraine from joining NATO.
The conduct of international politics cannot be fully subordinated to moral or legal orders, as seen in the flaws of just War Theory.
Moral and realist precepts in international politics can align, conflict, or be at odds, influencing decisions on war and peace.
In limited wars, the tendency for military considerations to dominate over political control poses challenges in keeping conflicts restrained.

37:19

Escalation in Limited Wars: Nuclear Realities and Ideologies

Limited Wars tend to escalate, especially in the nuclear world.
Nuclear weapons are likely to be used in a limited fashion if ever employed.
Military leaders prefer decisive victories over limited Wars.
Military leaders resist civilian interference in war decisions.
Nationalism is a significant factor pushing for war escalation.
Various ideologies like Nazi Germany's eliminationist ideology can escalate wars.
Dynamics of War, like the "victory disease," can lead to war escalation.
Protracted wars can result in civilian victimization to end conflicts.
The use of atomic bombs on Japan in WWII exemplifies the extreme measures taken in war.
Conflict is inherent in politics, and war is inherent in international politics, often driven by fear and survival concerns.

56:06

Managing Conflict: Politics, Military, and National Security

Politics is defined as fundamental differences leading to conflict, akin to Carl Schmitt's concept.
Conflict in politics contrasts with CLS's view that political decisions should supersede military ones.
Escalation in military actions can lead to decisions based on war logic rather than political circumstances.
Politics, as a contact sport, involves managing fundamental differences that could lead to violence.
Policy makers should aim to keep wars limited to maintain control over national security.
Military leaders manage violence, while politicians manage national interests, leading to potential conflicts.
Politicians must prevent unlimited wars for political reasons, like Joe Biden's approach to Iran and Ukraine.
The threat of war remains ever-present, limiting the ability to focus inwardly.
The end of the Cold War shifted focus from external threats to internal issues, causing centrifugal forces.
In a multipolar world, like during 1939-1945, balancing threats from great powers like China and Russia is crucial.

01:13:36

Impact of Military-Industrial Complex on Global Power

During periods of conflict, it is easier to convince the public to support military actions due to increased nationalism and the desire to win decisively.
The military-industrial complex (MIC) has an interest in security competition as it drives the need for arms buildup, but evidence suggests it doesn't significantly influence initiating wars.
The international relations literature previously divided into realists, liberals, and Marxists, with the MIC being a focus for some Marxist arguments.
The MIC's impact on American foreign policy is debated, with limited evidence supporting its significant role in driving aggressive behavior abroad.
The end of the unipolar moment around 2017 was not solely due to Trump's policies but rather a result of the structural growth of Chinese and Russian power.
Joe Biden's shift towards a containment policy towards China after Trump's presidency reflects the structural changes in global power dynamics.
The Ukraine crisis, stemming from NATO expansion decisions in 2008, was initially driven by liberal ideas of spreading institutions eastward for peace and democracy promotion.
The difficulty of the US extricating itself from conflicts, like in Ukraine and the Middle East, highlights the challenge of disengagement once involved.
The speaker expresses concern about the US's entanglement in conflicts and the challenges of disengagement, emphasizing the complexities of global power dynamics and foreign policy decisions.

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