Political Realism, Freud, and Human Nature in International Relations
The Palgrave Macmillan History of International Thought Series seeks to publish the best work in this growing and increasingly important field of academic inquiry. Its scholarly monographs cover three types of work: (1) exploration of the intellectual impact of individual thinkers, from key disciplinary figures to neglected ones; (2) examination of the origin, evolution, and contemporary relevance of specific schools or traditions of international thought; and (3) analysis of the evolution of particular ideas and concepts in the field. Both classical (pre-1919) and modern (post-1919) thought are covered. Its books are written to be accessible to audiences in International Relations, International History, Political Theory, and Sociology. Series Editor: Peter Wilson, London School of Economics and Political Science Advisory Board: Jack Donnelly, University of Denver David Long, Carleton University Hidemi Suganami, Aberystwyth University Also in the Series: Internationalism and Nationalism in European Political Thought by Carsten Holbraad The International Theory of Leonard Woolf: A Study in Twentieth-Century Idealism by Peter Wilson Tocqueville, Lieber, and Bagehot: Liberalism Confronts the World by David Clinton Harold Laski: Problems of Democracy, the Sovereign State, and International Society by Peter Lamb The War Over Perpetual Peace: An Exploration into the History of a Foundational International Relations Text by Eric S. Easley Liberal Internationalism and the Decline of the State: The Thought of Richard Cobden, David Mitrany, and Kenichi Ohmae by Per Hammarlund Classical and Modern Thought on International Relations: From Anarchy to Cosmopolis by Robert Jackson The Hidden History of Realism: A Genealogy of Power Politics by Seán Molloy Hugo Grotius in International Thought by Renée Jeffery The International Thought of Martin Wight by Ian Hall Honor in Foreign Policy: A History and Discussion by Michael Donelan Realist Strategies of Republican Peace: Niebuhr, Morgenthau, and the Politics of Patriotic Dissent by Vibeke Schou Tjalve From Hierarchy to Anarchy: Territory and Politics before Westphalia by Jeremy Larkins British International Thinkers from Hobbes to Namier Edited by Ian Hall and Lisa Hill Political Realism, Freud, and Human Nature in International Relations: The Resurrection of the Realist Man by Robert Schuett
Political Realism, Freud, and Human Nature in International Relations The Resurrection of the Realist Man Robert Schuett
POLITICAL REALISM, FREUD, AND HUMAN NATURE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Copyright Robert Schuett, 2010. Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2010 978-0-230-62354-5 All rights reserved. First published in 2010 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN in the United States a division of St. Martin s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave and Macmillan are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN 978-1-349-38485-3 ISBN 978-0-230-10908-7 (ebook) DOI 10.1057/9780230109087 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Schuett, Robert. Political realism, Freud, and human nature in international relations : the resurrection of the realist man / Robert Schuett. p. cm. (Palgrave Macmillan history of international thought) 1. International relations Philosophy. 2. Human behavior. 3. Realism. 4. Freud, Sigmund, 1856 1939. I. Title. JZ1305.S38 2009 327.101 dc22 2009038204 A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library. Design by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd., Chennai, India. First edition: May 2010 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Susanne
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Contents Preface ix Introduction The Human-Nature Question 1 Political Realism and the Strange Death of Human Nature 3 Part I Is Human Nature Dead? 2 Classical Realism on Human Nature and Freud 23 3 The Human Nature of Post-Classical Realism 55 Part II Ought Human Nature To Be Dead? 4 Human Nature and the Political: Criticism and Countercriticism 89 5 Human Nature, the Political, and the Virtues of Freudian Man 125 Conclusion In Defense of Human Nature 6 Resurrecting the Realist Man, Freud, and Human Nature 167 Notes 183 Bibliography 207 Index 233
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Preface This book seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature discontent with how realist international-political theory is often portrayed in International Relations. Recent scholarship has provided insightful accounts of the philosophy of political realism, its timeless virtues, and its ethical depth. Although still considered the politico-theoretical tradition advocating pure and crude Machtpolitik, it has been shown that such power apologetism has nothing to do with the moral imperatives of the genuine realist international-political theories of the likes of Morgenthau or Herz (the same applies, I shall think, to Waltz and Mearsheimer). In this thriving revisionist literature, however, one of the most controversial concepts in the sciences and humanities haunting humankind at least since the Greek Sophists as well as its perhaps greatest demystifier have been neglected: human nature and Sigmund Freud. To lay the cards on the table, this book s reexamination of the concept of human nature in twentieth-century/contemporary realist internationalpolitical theory, with special reference to Freud, is broadly sympathetic to all three themes concerned. In light of the rise of structural accounts of international relations or the third image, in light of what appears as the strange death of the concept of human nature in political realism, my argument is that realist international-political theory should not be severed from its ancient and intelligent concern with human nature. More positively, the concept of human nature should be the sole philosophical basis of political realism and its analytical and normative forays into social reality, that is, the political reality of international relations. This anthropological turn must not be seen as a conservative endeavor. For the genuine political realism à la Morgenthau is neither immoral, crudely naturalist, fatalist nor inherently politically conservative; the almost Pavlovian equation of political realism with conservatism seems the falsest of all prejudices since realist international-political theory is certainly compatible with the moderate left.
x Preface Still, political realism must not be based on the more or less hollow concept of the international-political structure; and the several otherwise distinctive realist international-political theories flourishing under the broader and flexible roof of the realist Weltanschauung should recognize the intimate philosophical and politico-theoretical relationship between the concept of human nature and the international-political. In the context of the increasing proliferation of different realist internationalpolitical theories or political realisms, I argue that what should define the realist Weltanschauung is the philosophical belief that any theorizing of the actualities and potentialities of international relations must be based on the more prior theorizing of the actualities and, of course, potentialities of human nature as it is shaped by powerful historical socioeconomic forces. The classical realists knew all too well what Alexander Pope captured elegantly (which is of even more contemporary relevance given the global rise of faithbased politics). Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man. That political realism and its classical-style variant rooting in Morgenthau is enjoying a renaissance in International Relations is to be welcomed, particularly since the irrationalities of political reality ethnic nationalism, religious fundamentalism, moral universalism continue to thrive with full force. Despite all efforts, in seeking argumentative assistance from these earlier political realists (take Iraq and the analogies with Morgenthau s critique of Vietnam), the concept of human nature, long the philosophical basis of political realism and classical realists like Morgenthau, has escaped much attention; even more, it has become a largely discredited idea in the study of international relations. Sympathetic not only of political realism but also of the concept of human nature and Freud, this book aims at reviving what used to be the rule rather than the exception in realist international-political theory: theorizing the international-political based on the concept of human nature. Making special reference to Freud, one of the truly consequential figures of Western thought yet awkwardly neglected in International Relations, two important questions are explored: First, is the concept of human nature really dead in contemporary realist international-political theory? And, second, ought human nature to be dead in political realism? Examining a variety of realist international-political theorists commonly invoked as the foremost proponents of classical and post-classical realism, I argue that contemporary political realism has not eliminated the concept of human nature from its study
Preface xi of international relations. Assumptions about human nature, though often hidden, are widespread; and several leading realists have used a Freudian conception of human nature as their philosophical backdrop for theorizing the tragedies of the international-political. This, then, leads to the oughtquestion. If the concept of human nature is not as dead as post-classicals would have us believe, should we seek to wipe it off realist internationalpolitical theory? The concept of human nature, as I argue, ought not to be dead. Political realism requires a sophisticated theory of human nature as the basis of its Weltanschauung. Developing a philosophical anthropology for political realism, I see Freud as offering a most appropriate starting point for bringing back the concept of the Realist Man into contemporary realist international-political theory and that of human nature into the wider study of international relations. Philosophically, this book s line of argument grew out of my dissatisfaction with how, and why, an increasingly large number of realist international- political theorists have moved post-classical political realism away from its original philosophical roots. This is not to denounce postclassical realist international-political theory no doubt, Waltz s achievement is beyond measure and Mearsheimer s offensive realism is truly fascinating but, still, post-classical realism s disavowal of the concept of human nature has helped to impoverish political realism, which is not so much a technical social science of international relations but an ethics of social and political reality. More technically, my argument for a central role of the concept of human nature in realist international-political theory and, more generally, in International Relations, albeit understood not in crudely naturalistic terms, grew out of my doctoral work at Durham University s School of Government and International Affairs. More or less intact in its original form of 2009, I hope the claims of this book will be of interest to scholars of International Relations, social and political theorists, historians of political thought, as well as scholars of Freud and Freudianism. Over the past several years spent in the United Kingdom doing graduate studies in political science focusing on international relations and international-political theory, I have incurred many debts. Specifically, for advise and support at various stages, I wish to thank though not implicate in alphabetical order: Chris Brown, LSE; Anoush Ehteshami, Durham; James Good, Durham; Clemens Jabloner, Vienna; Richard Little, Bristol; Sebastiano Maffettone, Rome; Peter Stirk, Durham, Stephen Turner, South-Florida; Steve Welch, Durham; John Williams, Durham; Michael Williams, Ottawa. Likewise, for their support in making this book possible, I wish to thank, from Palgrave Macmillan, New York,
xii Preface Farideh Koohi-Kamali and Robyn Curtis as well as the editor of this series, Peter Wilson, LSE. Further, I cordially thank Susanna Morgenthau, New York, for allowing me to use previously unpublished material from her father, Hans J. Morgenthau, as well as the Freud Museum, London, for permissions to use one of their Freud portraits. Yet, I do owe my biggest debt of gratitude to my dear wife whose unwavering support, refreshing optimism, and unbending tolerance has helped me pursuing my project(s) during both good and difficult times. I dedicate this book to Susanne. Durham/La Jolla, 2010 Robert Schuett