I’m assuming the vast majority of this board would consider themselves realists as opposed to idealists in regards to foreign policy. I am curious to hear thoughts on the true motivation to power for nation states. Do you feel that the will to power is linked to human nature, or is gaining power a requirement for survival in the global system set in place?

This topic is discussed in Lex Fridman’s podcast with John Mearsheimer, a structural realist. I am inclined to agree with his views, but I’m not sure if that’s because I’ve only been hearing his side of the argument on this idea.

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Posted by unclejhim

Folsom, La.

Member since Nov 2011

3703 posts

Posted on 11/19/23 at 1:56 pm to PQuin

quote:
the will to power is linked to human nature, or is gaining power a requirement for survival in the global system set in place?

Both, plus

Power the ultimate aphrodisiac....

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Posted by hansenthered1

Dixie

Member since Nov 2023

2638 posts

Posted on 11/19/23 at 3:38 pm to PQuin

Mearsheimer has been spot on in regards to the RUS/UKR war. I've not listened to that podcast but have attended a lecture of Mearsheimer. Are the two ideas antagonistic? Can human nature's will to power be channeled in structure where states can gain power as means of survival?

I have always thought of difference between the two as being a difference between the notion that the nation-state should maximize its own power over seeking to use international structures to achieve stability and in that state, would be able to preserve sovereignty of its people.

It seems like we are saying that the fight is now between modern, being and post-modern, becoming...if so, I'd say that may be the field in which "realist" have to play and I'd be inclined to say whichever was working in terms of achieving the states goal would be the answer.

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Posted by Bard

Definitely NOT an admin

Member since Oct 2008

58876 posts

Posted on 11/19/23 at 4:10 pm to unclejhim

quote:
quote:
he will to power is linked to human nature, or is gaining power a requirement for survival in the global system set in place?

Both

Agreed. Power, on the wider view, is central to existence. No species survives its predators without some sort of power to defend itself against them. Whether this is active, direct power like use of a manufactured weapon (whether that's hacking out a spear or making nuclear missiles - or simple strength of muscle, claw and fang) or indirect like being poisonous to eat, avoidance, etc. that power allows one to live another day, eventually (ideally) reproduce and thus propagate the species.

So there's a natural "survival" component deeply ingrained into us as a species. Some take it to extremes, others have been able to totally sublimate it.

So what we then see is that power, for humans, originates from that species-level desire to survive in nature. As we've come to dominate nature in certain ways, that has directly led to creation of competitive regional, national, global systems which demand the accumulation of power in order to survive (at least to the individual's desired level of comfort at whichever level they are engaged in).

This post was edited on 11/19/23 at 4:10 pm

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