The Theory Of The International System - 1741 Words

Few forces in the world can change, create, and destroy history and nations. However, war continues to be one of the strongest proponents of these changes. The study of the international system is comprised of many differing theories. These theories hypothesize the origin of international structure, events, and how states interact. Specifically, the varying theories present in international relations disagree on the causes of war. Political Realism has been the most dominant paradigm in the past 70 years of International Relations (Class Notes, August 31). This paradigm stresses the anarchic structure of world politics, how this structure affects interaction and how it can cause war. Kenneth Waltz, an American political scientist on the forefront of structural realism, highlights the international system’s decentralized and anarchic tendencies. He states, international politics due to anarchy has been called â€Å"politics in the absence of government† (PAGE NUMBER?). A dditionally, Waltz stresses the component of the self-help mindset of anarchy. As anarchy endures, states will continue to act as selfish units. This mentality often leads to war as anarchy is taken to mean not just the absence of government, but also the presence of disorder and chaos (Waltz, The Anarchic Structure of World Politics). In general, realist theories present that states are the principal actors, every state partakes in rational egoism which is essential to survival, and anarchy is the dominantShow MoreRelatedRealism Theory And The International System Essay1862 Words   |  8 Pagesactions and motives for entering WWI. This essay will discuss the overarching theme of insecurity through realism theory used to examine the international system during this Westphalian era, and how inept governmental policies supplemented by specific human decisions, societal factors, and public opinion contributed to Germany s   entry into WWI.  Ã‚   The Westphalian era of international relations began in 1648, the year in which the Treaties of Westphalia concluded the Thirty Years War and markedRead MoreIn The First Theory,Realism, The International System Is1898 Words   |  8 PagesIn the first theory, Realism, the international system is defined by anarchy and the lack of a central authority, meaning that states are independent from each other and no structure or system can establish a forced relation among them. In this type of system, power is the main objective that each state plans to accomplish because only by achieving this power they can protect themselves and survive. According to this theory, there are different powers that a state plans to achieve for example theRead MoreAn Introduction Of International Relations1702 Words   |  7 Pagescourse, an introduction of International Relations, my views have consistently been fluid. From week to week with new information and new theories presented, researched and ana lysed along with my increasing knowledge of attributes and models of these principles. I have had assimilations, with the key concepts of nearly all theories, yet none sat wholly in my perception of international relations. I found concepts of the disciplines to be too black and white. 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