Offensive vs. Defensive Realism: Divergent Explanations of State Behaviour under Anarchy Abstract Offensive and defensive realism, two significant strands of neorealist thought in international relations theory, offer contrasting explanations of state behaviour in an anarchic international system. While both share foundational assumptions—especially the absence of a central authority (anarchy), the centrality of states as rational … Continue reading How do offensive and defensive realism differ in their explanations of state behaviour under anarchy? Assess with reference to key proponents and real-world applications.