Abstract

Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes are often describe as fathers of the realist theory of international relations. This reputation as such emanates from the classic postulates and lessons of interstate behavior. Although there are many different types of political realism, its most general tenets may be summarize as follows: (i) The international system is composed of separate, independent states all competing for power while maintaining their autonomy. (ii) The nature of the international system is anarchical. Based on this principle, realists have claimed that states are motivated by the self-help principle because each state responsible for its own security in teh nation-system. Hence a security dilemma arises because states are driven to acquire more and more power to escape the power of others. (iii) States will, therefore, always act accordingto what they perceive to be in their own self-interest. In this context, interest is defined in terms of power and power is defined as anything that establishes and maintains the control of man over man.