Realism and International Politics [Paperback]

Realism and International Politicsbrings together the collected essays of Kenneth N. Waltz, one of the most important and influential thinkers of international relations in the second half of the twentieth century. His books Man, the State and Warand Theory of International Politicsare classics of international relations theory and gave birth to the school of thought known as neo-realism or structural realism, out of which many of the current crop of realist scholars and thinkers has emerged. Waltz frames these seminal pieces in his theoretical development by explaining the context in which they were written and, building on the broader aims of these theories, explains the elusive nature of power balancing in todays international system. It is an essential volume for both students and scholars.

Part 1: Theory  1. Kant, Liberalism, and War  2. Conflict in World Politics  3. Reflections on Theory of International Politics  4. The Origins of War in Neorealist Theory  5. Realist Thought and Neorealist Theory  6. Evaluating Theories  7. Assaying Theories: Reflections on Imre Lakatos  Part 2: International Politics  8. The Stability of a Bipolar World  9. Contention and Management in International Relations  10. International Structure, National Force, and the Balance of World Power  11. The Myth of National Interdependence  12. The Emerging Structure of International Politics  13. Structural Realism after the Cold War  14. Globalization and Governance  15. The Continuity of International Politics  Part 3: Military Affairs  16. Reason, Will, and Weapons  17. Toward Nuclear Peace  18. Nuclear Myths and Political Realities  1lÓ.