Comparative analysis of realism and neo-realism : Case study of United States foreign policy during George W Bush administration

Abstract

historical and philosophical tradition which is based on the view point that human’s are fearful, selfish and power seeking. 1 Individuals are organized in a state which acts in unitary way in order to look for its national interests which is defined as power. Power is explained in terms of material resources which are used to physically harm other states or threaten them; to fight and win wars. These states are present in an anarchic world, which means that there is an absence of an authoritative hierarchy. In anarchic world order, states can only rely only on themselves. Thus their main aim is to secure themselves. States rely on balancing the power of other states and on deterrence to keep the international system intact.