Morgenthau and the ethics of realism

Abstract

Molloy's chapter tackles the traditional, realist end of security studies. Instead of surveying this entire field, which would be a nigh-impossible task, Molloy opts to focus on one benchmark thinker, Hans J. Morgenthau. Molloy's intent is not to suggest that traditional or realist approaches can be reduced to Morgenthau. He is explicit that the traditional approach is a broad church that encompasses many different voices and contains many disagreements. This, he believes, is both a reflection of its vitality and a part of its charm. Molloy's rationale for focussing his analysis almost exclusively on Morgenthau is, rather, that he is indicative of the intersection between classical security studies and realist approaches to international relations, more generally.