optimism and morality

Cards (3)

  • Paragraph 1: Human Nature — Self-Interest vs. Cooperation
    • Realist View: Realists, influenced by Thomas Hobbes, argue that human nature is inherently selfish and driven by self-interest. Hobbes’ description of the state of nature as “nasty, brutish, and short” underpins the realist belief that morality has no place in global politics. For instance, realists interpret Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a rational pursuit of national interest and power, not a moral failure — Putin is acting to secure strategic dominance.
    • Liberal View: Liberals, following John Locke, believe that human beings are capable of reason and cooperation, even in the absence of a central authority. This underpins their faith in international institutions and moral progress. Liberals interpret the international response to Ukraine, such as coordinated sanctions and NATO support, as evidence of moral solidarity and a shared commitment to sovereignty and human rights.
  • The Role of Morality in Global Politics
    • Realist View: For realists like Hans Morgenthau, morality is subordinate to the national interest. States act to preserve power, not moral values. This was evident in U.S. actions during the Vietnam War — Kissinger’s bombing of Cambodia is defended by realists as a necessary move to protect U.S. interests, despite civilian casualties. Morality, they argue, must be sacrificed for strategic gain.
    • Liberal View: Liberals insist morality should be embedded in global governance. They highlight the role of institutions like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and UN in promoting a rules-based order. For example, the ICC’s indictment of Putin in 2023 is seen by liberals as a moral stand for international justice and the rule of law, showing that states are held accountable beyond power politics
  • Optimism vs. NaivetyGlobal Order and Force
    • liberals see moral interventions as building a better world
    • realists warn that such ideals disguise or produce disastrous power plays.
    • Liberal View: Liberals are optimistic that global politics can evolve towards lasting peace through complex interdependence. Fukuyama argued that the spread of democracy and capitalism would result in a peaceful, cooperative international system. The EU is cited as a liberal success — a region of former rivals now bound by shared institutions and laws.
    • Realist View: Realists, particularly John Mearsheimer, sharply critique this view as naive. He claims liberal optimism often leads to reckless interventionism. The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, under the banner of spreading democracy and human rights, ultimately resulted in prolonged conflict and collapse, proving — in realist eyes — that liberal morality often causes more harm than good.