THE REALISTS APPROACH TO THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS

RUSSSIAN REALIST APPROACH TO THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS. 

The action taken by Russia in the on-going Russia-Ukraine war exemplifies the realists’ approach in understanding the international system. Hence this paper aims to examine the on-going war in the light of the Realists’ approach of the international system. 

The realists’ approach became prominent after the Second World War (1939-1945). The proponents of the realists approach are but not limited to: Thucydides, Niccolo Machiavelli, Kenneth Waltz, Cardinal Richelieu, Thomas Hobbes, and Hans Morgenthau. In the thinking of the realists the international system is defined by anarchy. This is because there is no central authority to settle disputes among contending actors as it is in domestic political systems. Thus, in such anarchical situation, state power is the key. There is the belief that it is only through power that states can defend themselves and hope to survive. The realists believe in the preponderant use of power to strive for, achieve and protect their national interests in the anarchical world politics. 

Realism believes power can be in variety of ways: militarily, economically and diplomatically. It also emphasises the possession of the coercive capacity as the ultimate determinant of international politics. The world view of the Realists rests on the assumption that, first; survival is the principal goal of every state actor. And given the anarchy of the international system, states require to, constantly, ensure that they have sufficient power to defend themselves and advance their interest that is required for survival. Second, Realists take states to be rational actors. This means that, given the goal of survival, states will act as best they can in order to maximise their likelihood of continuing to exist. Third, Realists believe that all states possess military capacity, and no state knows what its neighbours intend precisely. This presupposes that the world is dangerous and uncertain. Fourth, in such a world only countries with greater powers that can prevail. Thus, the international system is a system of power exercise.

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According to Niccolo Machiavelli, the renowned Italian writer, “The end justifies the means”. This means that wrong or unfair methods may be used if the overall goal is good. In the crisis, Russia has embarked on an unfair method (military action/ war) to achieve its national interests. With this, we can deduce that Russia is taking the realists approach to achieve its aims. Also, Thomas Hobbes in his book Leviathan, said “The state of nature is prone to war of all against all."This means that the world is dominated by the strong against the weak. Since the emergence of the international system in the 17th century during the Westphalia Treaty, there has always been the prevalence and dominance of the super powers at the expense of the weak powers. According to a pundit definition, “a super power is a state with a dominant position in the international system which has the ability to influence events and its own interests and project its power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests”. Russia is a super power. It has the wherewithal in terms of economic, military, diplomatic and political strength and might to influence events in the international system and protect its national interests. National interest is made of goals and ambitions states seek to pursue achieve and protect in the course of their interaction in the international system. 

 Russia military might is second to the U.S.A. Her economy is one of the largest and most stable in the world. Russia is blessed with abundant money-making natural resources. It has considerable population. Russia is indeed a super power. In the view of the realist, the international system is anarchical and it is by power that a state can survive and the strong will always dominate. Therefore, there is no big deal in Russia protecting its national interests with whatever means since it is a super power. “Let the strong do what they can do and the weak suffer what they must suffer”, so say Thucydides. 

More so, the realists believe in realpolitik. Realpolitik is the notion that politics must be conducted in terms of realistic and practical assessment of power and the self interest of individual nation-state by any means. Russia is exercising realpolitik against Ukraine. Russia as a super power, in the view of the realists, must show Ukraine, the weak power, how mighty it is and do as other super powers have been doing the likes of U.S.A. and United Kingdom in achieving and protecting their national interests.  

In addition,Amazon ad Benito Mussolini said, “Only war carries human energies to the highest level and puts the seal of nobility upon people who have the courage to undertake it.” Therefore, for Russia to enhance its might and influence and to protect its national system, war is the only war out, in the view of the realists’ approach to the international system. 

In summation, according to Prof Ukaogo of the Department of History and International Studies, UNN, “There is no sentiment and morality in the international system”.  And since there is no central authority in the international system, the strong can do what they want and the weak must suffer what they must suffer. If states go to war, it is because they strive for power, are self-interested, and pay, particular importance to their security.  Russia is exercising realpolitik in the ongoing crisis to achieve its national interests. 

                      Reference

National Open University of Nigeria .2015. “Evolution of Modern International System” Lagos. The National Open University of Nigeria.

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