Realism is a theoretical approach to international relations that emphasizes the importance of power

and national interest in shaping foreign policy. The key elements of realism include:

Anarchy: Realists view the international system as anarchic, meaning that there is no higher authority
above states to regulate their behavior. This leads to a focus on self-help and the pursuit of power to
ensure survival and security.

State-centric: Realists see states as the primary actors in international relations, with other actors such
as international organizations and non-state actors playing a secondary role.

Power politics: Realists believe that states are motivated by their own self-interest and seek to maximize
their power and influence in the international system. This can lead to competition and conflict between
states.

Balance of power: Realists argue that maintaining a balance of power between states is essential for
preventing war and preserving peace. This involves countering the power of potential aggressors and
recognizing the power of rising states.

Cyclical view of history: Realists view history as cyclical, with patterns of conflict and cooperation
repeating themselves over time. They are skeptical of the idea that qualitative change for the better is
possible and emphasize the importance of continuity and repetition.

These elements are central to classical realism, which emerged in the early 20th century and dominated
the field of international relations until the 1970s. Neorealism, a more recent variant of realism,
emphasizes the importance of the international system's structure in shaping state behavior.
Classical realism and neoclassical realism are two different theoretical approaches to international
relations. Here are the main differences between the two:

Classical Realism:

Emphasizes the importance of power and national interest in shaping foreign policy.

Views the international system as anarchic, meaning that there is no higher authority above states to
regulate their behavior.

Sees states as the primary actors in international relations.

Believes that states are motivated by their own self-interest and seek to maximize their power and
influence in the international system.

Argues that maintaining a balance of power between states is essential for preventing war and
preserving peace.

Views history as cyclical, with patterns of conflict and cooperation repeating themselves over time.

Neoclassical Realism:

Builds on classical realism but emphasizes the importance of domestic factors in shaping foreign policy.

Argues that the behavior of states is influenced not only by the international system but also by their
own internal political, economic, and social structures.

Sees the international system as a constraint on state behavior, but also recognizes that states have some
degree of agency in shaping their own foreign policy.

Believes that states may not always pursue their national interest in a rational or coherent manner, due
to factors such as bureaucratic politics, interest group pressures, and cognitive biases.

Maintains that maintaining a balance of power is still important, but also recognizes that states may
sometimes pursue other goals, such as prestige or ideology, that may not be directly related to their
security.

Overall, neoclassical realism is a more nuanced and complex approach to international relations than
classical realism, as it takes into account both international and domestic factors in shaping state
behavior.
A nation-state is a sovereign state whose citizens or subjects are relatively homogeneous in factors such
as language or common descent. It is a political entity in which the state and nation are congruent,
meaning that the boundaries of the state coincide with the boundaries of the nation. This concept
emerged in Europe in the 19th century as a result of the rise of nationalism, which emphasized the
importance of a shared cultural identity and common history in defining a nation. Today, most states in
the world are nation-states, although there are some exceptions, such as multinational states like
Canada and Belgium, and states with significant minority populations like India and China. The concept
of the nation-state has been criticized for its exclusionary nature and its tendency to marginalize
minority groups within a state.