Neorealism (International Relations)

Neorealism or Structural Realism was first outlined by Kenneth Waltz in Theory of International Politics (1979), in which Waltz argues in favour of a systematic approach to International Relations by which the international structure is seen to act as a constraint on state behaviour. Neorealism dismissed classical realism’s use of essentialist concepts such as “human behaviour” to explain international politics and believes that the international system is inherently conflict- ridden as when one state achieves gains, others will immediately feel threatened, which is known as the security dilemma. Peace, for neorealists, is only reached when a certain balance of power is reached between states.