1. Mario Miralles
May 25th, 2015
Realism: An Analysis on Scott and Welch
The two readings that I chose to review are based on the concepts of imperialism,
security, and the observations of realism. The mention of Thucydides is prevalent in both
readings and with good reason as David A. Welch (2003) considers his work as genuine and
timeless in the international relations field in his ironically titled “Why International Relations
Theorists Should Stop Reading Thucydides” (301). Roger Scott (2005) also mentions in
“Imperialist Democracy, Ancient Athenians, and the US Presence in Iraq” that Thucydides is a
key figure especially in his descriptions of war as a tool in dispute resolutions (336). They both
tend to look at the historical actions of ancient civilizations (most notably Athens) in regards to
the aforementioned issues in comparison to our present day relations. This paper will place a
focus on an analysis of this ancient perspective on realism in comparison to our current state of
affairs, mainly concentrated on US foreign policy.
Scott: “Imperialist Democracy, Ancient Athenians, and the US Presence in Iraq”
Roger Scott (2005) utilizes a back-and-forth approach between ancient philosophers and
modern day thinkers to directly compare the Athenian society and foreign policy of intervention,
security, and social perception with the current US presence in Iraq. He outlines that there are
incredible similarities in the two. They would include: Pericles’ sentiments and strategies as
equivalent to those of President George W. Bush’s, views of democracy as a singular instrument
for diplomatic peace (even through means of open aggression), and he even goes so far as to
mention Victor Ehrenberg’s comparison of the Delian League as identical to NATO (Scott,
2005, p. 336-337 & 339). I would counter-argue that it is careless to compare the security and

2. Realism: An Analysis on Scott and Welch Mario Miralles 2
ideological circumstances between Athens’s situations to those of the US. For one, there is no
clear cut evidence of the actual events that transpired during the Peloponnesian Wars and the
Athenian quest for imperialism aside from the writings of a few philosophers and historians who
often failed to cite credible sources within their writings. How do we know that their accounts of
history are accurate and not just some biased opinions based on their own personal beliefs?
Secondly, it is important to take geographical locations into account as Athens bordered many of
these cities in which they aimed to conquer and so the issue of security is also critical in the
context of their motives for intervention as opposed to the US which is thousands of miles away
from Iraq.
However, if we do decide to accept Thucydides’ work as fact then there would indeed be
a striking comparison between Athens and the US. Just this week, Republican Presidential
hopeful, Lindsey Graham, gave us his very Periclean stance on why we need more troops in Iraq
(as cited in Schleifer, 2015). Although Graham states that we need more troops in the region as a
matter of national security, we can interpret this as his way of maintaining and stretching out the
US Empire; something that Pericles himself would approve of as exemplified by his own
identical justification for his imperial adventurisms (Scott, 2005, p. 341). In my opinion, when
analyzing military intervention it can be difficult, as a hegemonic power, to accept defeat or
admit error which could lead to instability. I believe this to be the case for both Athens and the
US; two of the greatest powers of the time that enacted their risky strategy of spreading their
version of democracy around the world (in hopes of promoting their self-interest) through any
means and at any expense necessary.
Welch: “Why International Relations Theorists Should Stop Reading Thucydides”

3. Realism: An Analysis on Scott and Welch Mario Miralles 3
David A. Welch (2003) focuses on a humbling criticism of the realist perspective. He
tries to humanize Thucydides’ work and tempers our legitimization of his writings with some
key arguments that aim towards the humanistic variables that should be observed (Welch, 2003,
p. 307). Welch also presents us with four characterizations of possible positions that we could
infer from distinguishing Thucydides, between objectivity and subjectivity throughout our
readings (2003, p. 309). I would counter-argue that there is considerable merit embedded in our
understanding of Realism, especially when taking into account the many philosophers it has
helped inspire. Using Machiavelli (a well-known student of Thucydides’ brand of realism) as an
example, he makes it clear in his philosophy that those who are not aware of their history are
destined to repeat it and such was the case he brought up in comparing Rome to Athens. He and
many others hold Thucydides’ work along with the concepts of realism in high regards which is
a theory still prevalent in international politics to this very day.
Realism is especially evident today in Southeast Asia particularly in analyzing China’s
recent moves. China is in the process of modernizing its military at a rapid pace in its attempts at
reigning in as the hegemonic power of the widely disputed South China Sea (Erickson, 2015). In
addition, the US Navy has delved into the same “power politics” espoused by realists as a spy
drone was involved in a heated argument with the Chinese Navy on May 21st, 2015 close to the
tensely contested region (Cloud, 2015). I believe that Welch’s argument is sound and pragmatic
but it is often ignored by the leaders of powerful states. Whether it’s right or wrong, realism and
neo-realism are very much active in today’s international struggle and those in power, at that
level, will continue to act on that same premise advocated by Thucydides’ many years ago.
Conclusion

4. Realism: An Analysis on Scott and Welch Mario Miralles 4
To conclude, the two readings in which I analyzed involved the notions of imperialism,
security, and the concept of realism, mainly in regards to the work of Thucydides. Time and
technology have a way of altering our environment but many of the theories set forth from our
ancestors have remained relevant in the study of International Relations. Our present situations
have a likeness to our history and context is everything, even in our acceptance of new or
improved theories. The pivotal questions then become: can the uncertain theories of the past be
applicable to present situations? And, if realism is a “zero-sum game” then is world peace just a
mere fantasy and not truly a tangible or attainable goal?

5. Realism: An Analysis on Scott and Welch Mario Miralles 5
References
Cloud, David S (2015). U.S. publicly challenges China’s moves in disputed islands. LA Times.
Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-us-china-20150522-
story.html#page=1
Erickson, Andrew S (2015). Clear Strengths, Fuzzy Weaknesses In China’s Massive Military
Build-Up. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/05/09/clear-strengths-fuzzy-weaknesses-in-
chinas-massive-military-build-up/
Schleifer, Theodore (2015). Lindsey Graham calls for 10,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. CNN.
Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/18/politics/lindsey-graham-iraq-not-a-
mistake-election-2016/
Scott, Roger (2005). Imperialist democracy, ancient Athenians and the US presence in Iraq.
Australian Journal of International Affairs, 59:3, 335-350, DOI:
10.1080/10357710500231297
Welch, David A (2003). Why International Relations theorists should stop reading Thucydides.
Review of International Studies, 29, pp 301-319 DOI: 10.1017/S0260210503003012