Realism in International Relations

Realism is considered as one of the oldest thought for interpreting the relations between the states and the balance of power at international level.  Realism trace history through the work of Thucydides in ‘The History of Peloponnesian War’ and later in the works of Hobbes, Machiavelli etc. At present, Morgenthau, Kenneth Waltz and Mearsheimer etc are considered to be the realist thinkers.

Basic Principle

Realism is based on three basic components which are: Statism, Survival and Self-Help. Statism talks about the existence of state and its identity, survival deals with the power struggle between the states and security of states; and self-help deals with the self sufficiency of a state rather dependence on alliance making. These three components are the basic ideals of interpretation of theory of Realism in International politics. The different events which take place at international sphere are interpreted with the help of Realism as a theoretical interpretation.

Criticism

Events such as World War I, II were interpreted by realism but the Cold War end and the New World Order dominated by a multiplex system of nations and organizations with state as well as non-state actors is difficult to explain with the help of Realism theory. So, this makes the political theorists to make changes in the theory according to give a satisfactory interpretation to the world affairs.

Types of Realism

Realists are divided into three classes based on their view of the essential causes of interstate conflict.

•  Classical Realism: It believes and follows from human nature that this is the human nature of fear and insecurity which gives rise to the contention among the nations and which led to the World War I and II.
• Neorealism: This attribute it to the dynamics of the anarchic state system.
• Neoclassic Realism: It believes the international orders results from both, in combination with domestic politics. Neorealists are also divided between defensive and offensive realism.