Scholars like Hans Morgenthau, Henry Kissinger and Kenneth Waltz who are mostly associated with realism consider anarchy as the primary characteristic of the international system meaning that there is no central authority to settle disputes among competing member states. States therefore compete with each other due to the lack of a central authority. Realists view the world in terms of competition and conflict whereby there is a recurring struggle for power and its management.
Kenneth Waltz further argues that nature and behavior of human beings is the root cause of conflict and war. In his book, Man, the State and War, Waltz’s views suggest that a human being’s inappropriate behavior or his evil ways is what leads to war (Waltz 2001, pg 39). According to Waltz, wars result from selfishness, from human being’s stupidity and from misdirected …show more content…
The US foreign policy has for example been the subject of debate world over and has rubbed many nations the wrong way and brought displeasure to many. It is US decision to increase its military capacity around the world since the 9/11 attacks that has causes tension and instability and has led to the increase in the levels of terrorism around the world.
Realism also assumes that the best way to manage conflict in the international system is to balance power with power, by this they mean that the only way to prevent war is to prepare for war. This has however brought instability and insecurity around the world. A good example would be plans by Iran launch its nuclear program and how this has caused instability among its neighbors. Israel which neighbors Iran fears that a nuclear capable Iran will spark an arms race since other states will do all they can to balance Iran’s power.
Realism therefore helps explain what causes conflict and war among
Kenneth Waltz further argues that nature and behavior of human beings is the root cause of conflict and war. In his book, Man, the State and War, Waltz’s views suggest that a human being’s inappropriate behavior or his evil ways is what leads to war (Waltz 2001, pg 39). According to Waltz, wars result from selfishness, from human being’s stupidity and from misdirected …show more content…
The US foreign policy has for example been the subject of debate world over and has rubbed many nations the wrong way and brought displeasure to many. It is US decision to increase its military capacity around the world since the 9/11 attacks that has causes tension and instability and has led to the increase in the levels of terrorism around the world.
Realism also assumes that the best way to manage conflict in the international system is to balance power with power, by this they mean that the only way to prevent war is to prepare for war. This has however brought instability and insecurity around the world. A good example would be plans by Iran launch its nuclear program and how this has caused instability among its neighbors. Israel which neighbors Iran fears that a nuclear capable Iran will spark an arms race since other states will do all they can to balance Iran’s power.
Realism therefore helps explain what causes conflict and war among