Life and achievements
Early life
Hans Morgenthau was born in 1904 in Coburg, Germany, to a Jewish family and grew up in a time of significant political change in Europe. He was brought up in a very volatile political environment, especially during the fall of the German Empire and the emergence of Nazi Germany. He received his initial education at the Casimirianum and then continued at the Universities of Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. He earned his doctorate in 1929 with a focus on international law, writing a thesis titled International Jurisdiction: What is it? What is Not?
The events of post-World War I Germany shaped Morgenthau's academic and political thinking. This was due to the effects of the war and the Treaty of Versailles, which made him skeptical of the idea of peace. He continued his studies, got his doctorate, and then worked at the Geneva Graduate Institute in Switzerland as a postdoctoral fellow. However, by 1933, when Hitler came into power, Morgenthau understood that he could not continue living in Germany anymore because he was Jewish and an anti-Nazi.
Morgenthau escaped to Switzerland and taught public law for a few years in Geneva. He then went to Spain to prepare but went to the United States in 1937 due to political unrest. Morgenthau's early exposure to authoritarianism and war influenced his realist thinking, as he realized that international relations were not guided by principles but by power.
Legacy
Morgenthau's contribution to international relations is best captured through his political realism, which is still dominant in studying the subject. He remains one of the most important political thinkers of the twentieth century, and his ideas on power, the national interest, and diplomacy remain relevant today. Despite the criticism that has been leveled against him for being too pessimistic, the role of power in the international system, as proposed by Morgenthau, has been evidenced by events that have taken place from the Cold War to the present-day great power politics.
Another critical aspect of Morgenthau's contribution is his critique of U.S. foreign policy, especially during the Vietnam War. His anti-war stance stemmed from his belief that the war was not in the nation's best interest, which demonstrated the realist theory in action. This approach made him one of the most prominent critics of American imperialism, thus entering the discussion of the extent of U.S. influence and power in the world.
Morgenthau's contribution to the realist tradition can also be seen in his analysis of moral and political differences. Although acknowledging the importance of ethical concerns, he argued that politics should be defined by the state's ability to exist and exert control. This has given a rather complex understanding of the relationship between ethics and politics in international relations and has influenced discussions on intervention, diplomacy, and the role of international organizations.
Milestone moments
Feb 29, 2024
Immigration to the United States of America
Hans Morgenthau had to escape from Nazi persecution of Jews and had to seek asylum in the United States.
His coming to the United States is considered a turning point in his life, which enabled him to leave behind fascist Europe.
In America, Morgenthau started his academic career, which he would continue for many years, mainly in international politics and law.
Morgenthau's move came at a significant time, as he developed his ideas in the context of rising totalitarianism in Europe.
This emigration also enabled him to interact with other intellectuals and policymakers in the U.S.A. who were dealing with the issues of war and diplomacy on the international level.
Morgenthau came to the United States in 1937, and during his early years, he worked as a professor at Brooklyn College and the University of Kansas City.
These positions led to his future role in the formation of international relations theory, especially in power politics and realism.
Jul 15, 1948
The Publication of Politics Among Nations as a Book
Hans Morgenthau, one of the most influential authors of the Neorealism theory, published his most famous book, Politics Among Nations, in 1948.
The book laid the foundation of political realism as one of the major theories in the study of international relations and influenced subsequent generations of scholars and policymakers.
The publication was released when the global community was recovering from the Second World War and dealing with the onset of the Cold War.
Morgenthau's ideas, which reflected the concept of the balance of power and a pessimistic view of human nature, were relevant to the new world order.
Politics Among Nations states that international relations are rational and governed by objective laws rooted in the concept of power and national interest, as opposed to the idealist theories that assume cooperation.
This work helped to strengthen Morgenthau's position as one of the leading political theorists of the twentieth century.
Apr 17, 1951
Publication of In Defense of the National Interest
In 1951, Morgenthau published another book, In Defense of the National Interest, which expanded his thoughts on political realism.
This book criticized American foreign policy, especially the country promoting general moral principles at the expense of American self-interests.
The book was published at the right time, as the Cold War was on the rise, and there were many discussions about the role of the United States in international relations.
Morgenthau's argument of the need to pursue a foreign policy grounded on the national interest, as opposed to the American political culture that was inclined to intervene in foreign affairs with a view to spreading democracy, was quite radical.
This work further reinforced Morgenthau's status as one of the foremost critics of U.S. policy and cemented his standing among the academic community as a leading thinker.
Apr 15, 1963
Advisor to Kennedy Administration
Hans Morgenthau was an advisor to President John F. Kennedy's administration from 1961 to 1963.
His duties included providing advice on the Cold War strategy, including questions of relations between the U.S.A. and the USSR and problems such as nuclear strategies.
Morgenthau's advisory role gave him first-hand experience of the U.S. foreign policy-making process, and he thus applied his realist theory in practice.
He was keen on power relations and national interest, and this shaped the administration's foreign policy, especially regarding the Soviet Union.
Nevertheless, Morgenthau's rising concern with American participation in Vietnam led to tension with government officials, which resulted in his open defiance during the Johnson administration.