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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Theories of International Relations

Realism

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈrɪəlɪzəm/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, realism means: A major theory of international relations holding that states are the main actors, that they pursue power and security in an anarchic system, and that conflict is always possible.

In Turkish: realizm, gerçekçilik

How it is used

Its followers are 'realists'. Classical realism stresses human nature and power, while neorealism, or structural realism, stresses the anarchic structure of the system. Students usually contrast realism with liberalism and constructivism.

Example sentences

  1. Realism explains why states worry more about relative gains than absolute gains.

  2. The essay asks whether realism can explain cooperation in the EU.

  3. Structural realism focuses on the distribution of power among states.

Common collocations

  • classical realism
  • structural realism
  • offensive realism
  • defensive realism
  • realist theory
  • liberalismA major theory of international relations holding that cooperation between states is possible and is helped by trade, international institutions, law and democracy.
  • constructivismA theory of international relations holding that ideas, identities and shared norms, not only material power, shape how states see their interests and how they behave.
  • anarchyIn IR theory, the absence of a world government above states, so that each state must rely on itself for its security; it does not necessarily mean chaos.
  • balance of powerA situation in which power is spread among states so that no single state or group can dominate the others; also the idea that states act to create such a balance.
  • national interestWhat a government sees as most important for its country's security, prosperity and values, used to explain and justify foreign policy choices.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Theories of International Relations

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