Reviewed by: Doreen Muyonga
Summary
The author, Michael Loriaux is Professor of Political Science at Northwestern University.
The article’s central aim is to showcase the divergence and convergence of Augustine’s Realism and modern Realism. This is with a view to depict Augustine as the first greatest Realist in Western history. Loriaux informs that the need to maximize our understanding of the Realist traditional thought has been necessitated by the increasing attacks on Realisms loss of relevance in the contemporary world.
He argues that the irrelevance of the theory should be blamed on modern Realists especially those who have written after Hans Morgenthau due to their failure to acknowledge the place of morality in politics. He maintains that modern Realisms tendency to replace morality with strategic interaction has been their biggest undoing. This is contrary to Augustinian Realism which portrays a world with little strategic rationality but insist on moral action.
Loriaux informs about the psychological foundations of Augustine’s Realism. He argues that Augustine’s thoughts on human psychology contrasts sharply with those of contemporary Realism. Whereas Augustine emphasizes the influence of the will which links perception to understanding action, modern Realists view international politics as characterized by competition between autonomous, rational, nation-state actors competing for power.
Further, the author discusses cases where Augustinian Realism and Modern Realism converge. He argues that Augustinian Realism and modern Realists have a common skepticism regarding the capacity of humans to use their powers of reason to implement progressive reforms which can lead to an enduring peace.
Additionally, both Augustine’s Realism and modern Realists hold the view that no political order can be a just order. This is because, conflict in humans is irresistible and can only be suppressed by imposing order through violence.
Lastly, the article expounds on the divergence of Augustinian Realism from modern Realism. This is what the author refers to us the more ‘radical’ Realism of Augustine. Loriaux argues that Augustine’s Realism departs from modern Realism when one examines the possibility for moral action in politics.
Modern Realists advance deception and duplicity and argue for little opportunity for morality while Augustine views statecraft as an activity with moral obligations and restraints. Augustine’s views on just war best exemplifies his considerations for morality in politics. The author concludes that Augustinianism is politically radical since Augustine suggested requirement of violence in promotion of civil order in his just war doctrine.
Critical evaluation
The title of the article, is attention grabbing and well thought out, making the article compelling to read. Loriaux’s choice of Augustine’s Realism as his focal point of analysis was well informed. St. Augustine (A.D. 354-430), is no doubt one of the most significant early Christian thinkers whose excellence and intellect was unsurpassable. The City of God, a groundbreaking work, embodies Augustine’s defense of Christianity, origin of sin, holy trinity, and Christian education on just war.
Loriaux provides a rare in depth scholarly analysis of the convergence and divergence of Augustinian Realism and Modern Realism which is quite enlightening. He offers adequate evidence and draws relevant examples to firm his main argument that indeed Augustine is the first greatest Realism in Western History.
To his credit, the author goes out of his way to bring in views of other prominent scholars who have written extensively about Augustine’s political thought namely: Niebuhr, 1953; Cochrane, 1944; Deane, 1963; Marrou, 1948; and O’Donnell, 1985.
The author appears biased when he dismisses all contemporary Realist Scholars especially those writing after Hans Morgenthau as irrelevant. However, he displays some level of objectivity when he critically interrogates the gaps in all the Realism strands such as the moral dilemma in statecraft something most scholars in the field have been shy of exploring.
Loriaux provides a comparative analysis of Augustine with Plato and Machiavelli which is quite insightful. However, there are noticeable contradictions when he attempts to depict Augustine as an idealist and at the same time as a Christian Realist. In addition, the author’s arguments aimed at portraying Augustine as a radical Realist are not convincing enough.
He fails to take into account the existence of more radical Realists who existed before Augustine such as Kautilya, who advocated for political machinations such as assassinations of enemies, torture, deception, duplicity and use of spies. His argument that Augustine advanced secular thoughts such as just war and fiercely defended Christianity from its critics is not sufficient to epitomize him as a radical Realist.
Lastly, arguments advanced in the article are eye opening and quite relevant. The authors writing is also clear and concise which makes many readers to easily relate with the article. Overall, the article is quite insightful and an important reading for scholars in the field of international relations.
