order to corrrect the dangerous neglect of the factor of power in international rela-tions. Much of the text is dedicated to comparing utopianism and realism -- those who "imagine" how things should be vs. those who arrange policies to fit the realities of the world. The author is an advocate of "realism" in international relations and criticizes the "one-sided intellectualism" that dominated the period. The weaknesses of President Wilson's belief in the power of reason and the influence of public opinion are exposed. Assumptions about a "harmony of interests" and states having an "equal interest in peace" are challenged by historical evidence. The author argues that the "sham" of utopian thinking must be demolished before there can be any hope of developing a more solid policy structure.
Carr examines the thinking that led to the futile attempts to preserve peace by making war illegal, and the inherent weaknesses in the League of Nations. Great gaps between theory and practice, between words and the world's realities, doomed these efforts.
Realism is promoted as being valid because it is based on facts, the lessons of history, and the recognition that power is the essential instrument of politics. International law is no substitute for dealing with power, because no international court has the jurisdiction or agents to enforce laws. The author con-cluded that the period was characterized by the shattered utopian vision of the early 1900s and realization of the harsh realities of the use of power in international relations.
Claude, Inis L., Jr. Power and International Relations. New York:
This book analyzes power, especially military power, and its role in international relations. The primary focus is on the problem of managing power for the purpose of preventing war.
The author believes that the power to kill and do violence is inherent in human nature, and cannot be eliminated. An excessive devotion to peace ...