Realism and the Study of International Politics: Power, Security, and State Behavior in the Global System IntroductionThe study of international politics has long been dominated by Realism, a theoretical tradition that conceives the global system as one fundamentally defined by anarchy, power competition, and security dilemmas. Rooted in the writings of Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes, and … Continue reading How does the Realist theoretical framework contribute to the study of international politics, and in what ways does it illuminate the dynamics of power, security, and state behavior in the global system?
Tag: balance of power theory
How does the balance of power function as a structural and strategic principle in the regulation of interstate relations, and to what extent does it remain a relevant mechanism for maintaining international order in the contemporary multipolar world?
Balance of Power as a Structural and Strategic Principle in International Relations: Contemporary Relevance in a Multipolar World The balance of power (BoP) has long served as a central theoretical and operational construct in the study and practice of international relations. Rooted in realist thought, the concept has historically been invoked to explain the recurrence … Continue reading How does the balance of power function as a structural and strategic principle in the regulation of interstate relations, and to what extent does it remain a relevant mechanism for maintaining international order in the contemporary multipolar world?
How do realist theories conceptualize the strategies states must adopt to survive in an anarchical international system?
Realist theories in international relations, rooted in foundational works such as Hans Morgenthau’s Politics Among Nations (1948) and Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics (1979), conceptualize the international system as fundamentally anarchical, meaning that there is no overarching authority above sovereign states to enforce rules or guarantee security. In this environment, states are the primary … Continue reading How do realist theories conceptualize the strategies states must adopt to survive in an anarchical international system?