Realism

You believe that by prioritizing national interests and power over ideology, countries can achieve a more stable and predictable international order.

Realism is a political ideology and theory in international relations that emphasizes the competitive and conflictual nature of international politics. It is grounded in the belief that the international system is anarchic, meaning there is no overarching authority above states, and that states must rely on their own resources and strategies to ensure their survival. Realists argue that the primary concern of states is to secure their own national interest, particularly in terms of power and security. In this view, states are rational actors that prioritize their own survival and are consta…  ntly engaged in a struggle for power, often leading to competition and conflict with other states.

The roots of Realism can be traced back to ancient political thought, particularly in the works of Thucydides, who chronicled the Peloponnesian War and highlighted the role of power and self-interest in state behavior. Niccolò Machiavelli, in his work *The Prince*, also contributed to Realist thought by emphasizing the pragmatic and sometimes ruthless pursuit of power by rulers. Thomas Hobbes, in his seminal work *Leviathan*, further developed the idea of an anarchic state of nature, where individuals (and by extension, states) are in constant competition for survival, leading to a "war of all against all."

Modern Realism as a formal theory of international relations emerged in the 20th century, particularly in the aftermath of World War II. Scholars like Hans Morgenthau, in his book *Politics Among Nations* (1948), articulated the principles of classical Realism, which focused on the inherent selfishness of human nature and the inevitability of conflict in international politics. Morgenthau argued that moral considerations should not guide foreign policy, as the pursuit of power and national interest is paramount.

In the mid-20th century, a more structural form of Realism, known as Neorealism or Structural Realism, was developed by Kenneth Waltz. In his book *Theory of International Politics* (1979), Waltz shifted the focus from human nature to the structure of the international system itself. He argued that the anarchic nature of the international system forces states to behave in certain ways, regardless of their internal characteristics or leaders' intentions. According to Neorealism, the distribution of power in the international system—whether it is unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar—determines the behavior of states and the likelihood of conflict.

Realism has been a dominant theory in international relations, particularly during periods of great power rivalry, such as the Cold War. It has been criticized, however, for its pessimistic view of human nature and its neglect of other factors, such as international institutions, economic interdependence, and the role of non-state actors. Despite these criticisms, Realism remains a foundational perspective in the study of international relations, offering a lens through which to understand the enduring importance of power, security, and competition in global politics.