Hans Morgenthau's Principles of Political Realism
1. Politic's, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature which is unchanging: therefore it is possible to develop a rational theory that reflects these objective laws.
2. The main signpost of political realism is the concept of interest defined in terms of power which infuses rational order into the subject matter of politics, and thus makes the theoretical understanding of politics possible. Political realism stresses the rational, objective and unemotional.
3. Realism assumes that interest defined as power is an objective category which is universally valid but not with a meaning that is fixed once and for all. Power is the control of man over man.
4. Political realism is aware of the moral signifigance of political action. it is also aware of the tension between moral command and the requirements of successful political action.
5. Political realsim refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with the moral laws that govern the universe. It is the concept fo interest defined in terms of power that saves us from the moral excess and political folly.
6. The political realist maintains the autonomy of the political sphere. He asks "How soes this policy affect the power of the nation?" Political realism is based on a pluralistic conception of human nature. A man who was nothing but "political man" would be a beast, for he would be completely lacking in moral restraints. But, in order to develop an autonomous theory of political behavior, "political man" must be abstracted from other aspects of human nature.