Die 'Macht' des Realismus in den Internationalen Beziehungen: Morgenthau wieder lesen

In: Zeitschrift für Politik: ZfP, Band 60, Heft 4, S. 414-429

Abstract

Classical Realism most often is falsely associated with a positivist underpinning of power politics. This article presents a re-reading of selected texts of Morgenthau and argues that Realism has indeed something important to say on real-world normative issues; a capacity of which Realism was denied to do. Starting with Morgenthaus engagement on power and the societal pursuit to escape from it, the article objects the conventional 'Machiavelian-Hobbesian' political science view of Morgenthau in the German speaking academic community. Via the Realist origins of International Relations in the 20th century the article turns towards the normative competence of Morgenthaus Realism and argues with Morgenthau against a pure positivism and utilitarianism in the comprehension of international politics. Adapted from the source document.