1. Neoclassical Realism
1.1. Structure and Agency
1.2. National Role Conceptions (NRCs)
1.3. Domestic Politics
1.4. Power as a Multi-Dimensional Concept
1.5. Balance of Threat
1.6. Strategic Culture
1.7. Historical Context
1.8. Intervening Variables
2. Neorealism (Structural Realism)
2.1. Systemic Explanation
2.2. Defensive Realism
2.3. Offensive Realism
2.4. Unipolarity
2.5. Bipolarity
2.6. Multipolarity
3. Classical Realism
3.1. Human Nature
3.2. Interest Defined in Terms of Power
3.3. Balance of Power
3.4. Morality and Politics
4. + Concepts
4.1. International Law
4.2. Might Makes Right
4.3. Spheres of Influence
4.4. Balancing and Bandwagoning
4.5. Uneven Development and Conflict
4.6. Arms Races
4.6.1. Competitive increases in military spending by states
4.7. International Organizations
4.7.1. Intergovernmental organizations that play a role in international politics
4.8. Deterrence
4.8.1. The threat of retaliation to prevent an attack
4.9. Realpolitik
4.10. Uncertainty and Mistrust
4.11. Relative Gains
4.12. Alliances
4.12.1. Formal agreements between states to cooperate on security or other issues
4.13. Compellence
4.13.1. The use of force or the threat of force to compel another state to change its behavior
4.14. Preemption and Preventive War
5. Core Assumptions
5.1. States as Primary Actors
5.1.1. States are the primary and most important actors in international relations
5.2. Anarchy
5.2.1. There is no overarching authority to enforce rules or norms among states
5.3. Power Politics
5.3.1. This often leads to competition and conflict, as states engage in power struggles
5.3.1.1. Soft Power
5.3.1.2. Hard Power
5.4. Self-Help
5.4.1. States must rely on their own resources to ensure their security
5.5. National Interest
5.5.1. The primary goal of states is to protect and promote their national interests
5.6. Pessimistic View of Human Nature
5.6.1. Humans are inherently selfish and prone to conflict
5.7. Security Dilemma
5.7.1. A situation where states, seeking to increase their security, unintentionally threaten the security of others
5.8. Rationality
5.8.1. Making decisions based on a calculated assessment of their interests and the likely outcomes of their actions
6. Implications of Realism
6.1. Conflict and War
6.2. Foreign Policy
6.2.1. Guide foreign policy decisions, advocating for a pragmatic approach focused on national interests and power considerations
6.3. International Cooperation
7. Theories
7.1. Hegemonic Stability Theory
7.2. Bargaining Theory
7.2.1. The branch of game theory dealing with the analysis of bargaining problems
7.3. Power Transition Theory
7.4. Game Theory
7.4.1. A tool used to analyze strategic interactions between states.