Realism in International Relations: A Philosophical and Theoretical Inquiry

Realism has remained the most influential paradigm in the discipline of International Relations (IR). As both a theory and a philosophy, it portrays global politics as an arena of struggle for power, shaped by human nature, the anarchy of the international system, and the relentless quest for survival. This research paper offers a comprehensive analysis of realism: tracing its philosophical roots in Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes; exploring its development through classical realism, structural realism, and neoclassical realism; and examining its theoretical propositions such as anarchy, self-help, the balance of power, and the security dilemma. It engages critically with rival paradigms, including liberalism, constructivism, and critical theories, before assessing realism’s relevance in contemporary politics, with reference to U.S.–China rivalry, Russia–Ukraine conflict, and nuclear deterrence. Finally, it reflects on the philosophical essence of realism as a tragic vision of politics and the ethic of prudence it implies. The argument advanced is that realism endures not only because it explains state behavior, but because it captures the fundamental dilemmas of political life itself.