ABSTRACT
A few sophisticated students observed that Hans J. Morgenthau’s theoretical postulates were less relevant in today’s world, not because they were wrong, but because they were perceived more broadly and flexibly, to cope with new dangers such as scant resources, population explosion, pollution, and environment. Morgenthau’s revitalization of the Balance of Power concept as a stabilizing system anchored upon national interests rather than universal goodwill was to some students atavistic, yet acceptable. Paradoxically, Morgenthau’s theory gives a central place to the military factor, but except for his chapter on “Total War,” he does not develop it as fully as diplomacy. Additional readings in military journals and assignments in the Pruitt and Snyder symposium, Theory and Research in the Causes of War, attempted to fill this gap. Morgenthau’s treatment of ideology, while evoking interest, needed elaboration and refinement. Certain distinctions were difficult for beginning students, such as whether actors employing ideology were cynically used to augment national power.
