PSIR 4b. What do you mean by offensive and defensive realism? UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Introduction

Realism is a prominent theory in international relations, and it has two major branches: offensive realism and defensive realism. These branches provide different perspectives on how states behave in the international system.

1. Offensive Realism

Basic Tenets:

States are inherently aggressive and seek to maximize their power and security.

Great powers, especially, are driven by a desire for hegemony or dominance in the international system.

Anarchy in the international system means there is no central authority to enforce cooperation, leading to self-help and competition.

Key Ideas:

Security Dilemma: States constantly prepare for conflict to ensure their own security, which can inadvertently create insecurity for others.

Balancing vs. Bandwagoning: States either balance against rising powers to contain them or bandwagon with them to share in the benefits of their rise.

Zero-Sum Game: Offensive realists view international relations as a zero-sum game where one state's gain is another's loss.

Examples:

The United States' pursuit of global dominance and its efforts to contain the rise of potential great powers like China.

Historical instances of power-seeking behavior leading to conflicts, such as World War I.

2. Defensive Realism

Basic Tenets:

States are primarily concerned with their own security and survival.

Aggression is a response to perceived threats rather than an inherent drive for power.

States aim to maintain a balance of power to prevent domination by others.

Key Ideas:

Security Maximization: States seek to maximize their security rather than pursuing global hegemony.

Balancing: Defensive realists emphasize the importance of states forming alliances and coalitions to balance against threats.

Miscalculation: Wars often result from misperceptions and misunderstandings, not necessarily from aggressive intentions.

Examples:

Switzerland's long-standing policy of neutrality and emphasis on defensive military capabilities.

The Cold War era, where the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a balance of power to deter each other.

Comparison

Offensive realism focuses on states' innate desire for power and dominance, while defensive realism emphasizes security and survival.

Offensive realists see competition and conflict as more prevalent in international relations, whereas defensive realists believe that states often seek stability and balance.

Both theories acknowledge the security dilemma but interpret it differently: offensive realism views it as a fundamental driver of conflict, while defensive realism seeks to mitigate it through balancing.

Conclusion

Offensive and defensive realism offer distinct lenses through which to analyze international relations. While they both recognize the importance of security, they differ in their assumptions about states' motivations and behavior in the anarchic international system. These theories help scholars and policymakers understand the complexities of state behavior and the dynamics of global politics.