Politics Among Nations

Compare Morgenthau’s views on classical realistic theory to the tenets of idealist or liberal theory. What are the major similarities and disagreements between these two approaches? How can both theories be applied to politics and international relations?

One of the criticisms against Politics Among Nations is that it focuses too heavily on European politics and history. Conduct outside research to determine whether some of Morgenthau’s ideas can be applied to the history and politics of a region of the non-Western world, such as the Middle East or South Asia. Do the political and historical circumstances in your chosen region prove or disprove Morgenthau’s thesis?

How do the “Fourteen Points” fit with the idealist and classical realist theories of international relations? Do the Fourteen Points and their historical aftermath confirm or disprove Morgenthau’s pessimism about self-interest and human nature?