Realism

Realism (international relations) - Wikipedia

In international relations theory, realism is one of the dominant schools of thought, theoretically formalizing the statesmanship of Realpolitik of early modern Europe.

Although a highly diverse body of thought, realism is unified by the belief that world politics is always and necessarily a field of conflict among actors pursuing wealth and power.

The theories of realism contrast with the cooperative ideals of liberalism in international relations.

Realists fall into three classes based on their view of the essential causes of conflict between states:

• Classical realists believe that conflict follows from human nature.
• Neorealists attribute conflict to the dynamics of the anarchic state-system.
• Neoclassical realists believe that conflict results from both, in combination with domestic politics. Neorealists are also divided between defensive and offensive realism.^[1]

Realists trace the history of their ideas back to classical antiquity, beginning with Thucydides (fl. 5th century BCE).

Realism entails a spectrum of ideas,^[2][3][4][5] which tend to revolve around several central propositions, such as:

1. State-centrism: states are the central actors in international politics, rather than leaders or international organizations;
2. Anarchy: the international political system is anarchic, as there is no supranational authority to enforce rules;
3. Rationality and/or egoism: states act in their rational self-interest within the international system; and
4. Power: states desire power to ensure self-preservation.^[2][6][3]

Political scientists sometimes associate realism with Realpolitik,^[7] as both deal with the pursuit, possession, and application of power.

Realpolitik, however, is an older prescriptive guideline limited to policy-making, while realism is a wider theoretical and methodological paradigm which aims to describe, explain, and predict events in international relations.

As an academic pursuit, realism is not necessarily tied to ideology; it does not favor any particular moral philosophy, nor does it consider ideology to be a major factor in the behavior of nations.

However, realists are generally critical of liberal foreign-policy.^[8]

Garrett Ward Sheldon has characterised the priorities of realists as Machiavellian and seen them as prioritising the seeking of power,^[9] although realists have also advocated the idea that powerful states concede spheres of influence to other powerful states.^[10][11]