Realism In International Relations

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Realism is a broad paradigm in the theory of international relations, and varies from classical realism by thinkers like an Italian philosopher and historian of the “Renaissance”, Niccolo Machiavelli, and Thomas Hobbs an English political philosopher and his notion of anarchic state, to modern “structural realism” of Kenneth Waltz, and Thomas Schelling’s “strategic realism.” As international relations expanded after second word war, realists also expanded their approach of studying the theory of international politics. In this paper we will explore the differences and similarities between classical and modern forms of realism in order to develop a clear understanding the nature of humanity in terms of social, economic, and political dynamics…show more content…
Realists believe states are the main actors of the international system, which their main concern is self-interest, states security, and struggle for power. International realists emphasize the constraints imposed to national politics by human-beings, which realists believe humans as selfish, and egoist in nature. Without international authority, thus their selfish interest contributes to conflict and cooperation. Classical realism is a theory, which asserts individuals as the driving force of the states to dominate others, thus for the nations interest the state must acquire power. Classical realism assumption is ideological, in terms of human nature to dominate others. Classical realist like Machiavelli also believe that conflict is a human nature, and international relations is based on war not cooperation among…show more content…
Chap 13). Hobbs was pessimistic in his view of human-beings would do anything in their power for individual survival, and thus they shouldn’t be trusted to make their own decisions only a state’s leader should handle that to ensure their security and provide protection against others. As he explains it in “state of nature” a mankind nature is there is no higher authority, and without any laws to constrain them would be “War all against all”(book1.chap.13), in which he believes that human brain as “nasty” and would destroy each other in pursuit of
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