Task – ‘Open-source’ task. Theory – 10 point task – a ‘Open-source’ task. Find/identify main postulates of given great thinker/scholar [from Martin Griffiths

John Herz
John H. Herz was an American political scientist and international relations scholar who made significant contributions to the study of international relations (IR). The main postulates of Herz are:

1. 
   Realism: Herz was a Realist and believed that the pursuit of power was the main driver of international relations. He saw states as rational actors motivated by self-interest and security considerations.
   
2. 
   The security dilemma: Herz introduced the concept of the "security dilemma," which refers to the paradox that states' efforts to increase their own security can lead to increased insecurity for other states. He argued that the security dilemma is a fundamental feature of the international system and that it drives the behavior of states.
   
3. 
   The role of ideology: Herz emphasized the role of ideology in shaping international relations. He saw ideology as a key factor in shaping state behavior, influencing the decisions that states make and the actions they take.
   

Illustration of events/cases in IR:

1. 
   The Cold War: The Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union is an example of Herz's realist perspective. Both superpowers were driven by the pursuit of power and security, leading to a bipolar system of international relations characterized by tension and competition.
   
2. 
   The arms race: The arms race between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War is an example of Herz's security dilemma. The arms race was driven by both states' efforts to increase their own security, which led to increased insecurity for the other state, highlighting the paradoxical nature of the security dilemma.
   
3. 
   The spread of communism: The spread of communism was an example of the role of ideology in shaping international relations. The spread of communism was driven by ideological considerations, with communist states seeking to promote their ideology and to challenge the dominance of capitalism and liberal democracy in the international system.