Realism in the 20th Century Analytical Essay by scribbler

The paper discusses how as a distinct school of thought that has dominated the field of international relations since the end of WWII, realism places its emphasis on the state as the primary actor in world politics. The paper explains how realists generally have a pessimistic view of human nature, and a conviction that international relations are necessarily conflictual and that international conflicts are ultimately resolved by war. The paper identifies the key assumptions made by the realist, based upon the views of Carr and Morgenthau, and then looks at Waltz's theory of neo-realism and the theory of critical security theorists. The paper considers which approach best explains the elements of international security and discusses how realism may be the most prominent paradigm in historical international relations, but it does little to address the general "realities" of the 21st century. The paper relates that war is expensive, it destroys lives and infrastructures, and while sometimes it jolts a lagging economy and improves some technologies, the benefits to a lasting peace using a balance approach to critical security seems the most reasonable option for the early 21st century.