Realism and International Politics

by Kenneth N. Waltz

Realism and International Politics brings 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 War and Theory of International Politics are 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 today’s international system. It is an essential volume for both students and scholars.

Genres: Politics, International Relations, Political Science

376 pages, Hardcover

First published March 11, 2008

Reviews

[Bchara · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a very edifying reading. The book is an anthology of articles written by Kenneth Waltz. One has always to take into consideration the dates of writing: some as early as the late 50's, others during the peak of cold war, others after the disintegration of the USSR, and a few after 9/11. They allow us to see how Waltz built his structural neorealism, and how he used it to analyze every phase: bilateralism, his particular view over nuclear deterrence effect on a stable peace, his minimizing of globalization, and how he adapted his structural theory to the disintegration of the USSR. Waltz was an American political scientist, always concerned about the USA, and the USA role in the structure is the center of these articles.
This collection of articles explains to us the core points of neorealism. It also allows us to witness the creation of these ideas over a long timeline from the 50's till the 2000's and their interaction with the chronological events. (the intro to the book, by Waltz himself, provide precious but brief explanations of the context of each article).
But the importance of this collection of papers has even more benefits, on a methodological level, since it shows a master of the trade in action: how to "create" a theory, how to defend it and argue in its favor, and how to skillfully use it as a tool to understand the world.
As a final note, what also caught my attention, is the "facility" of his style: a very accessible writing, not pedant at all, and I think this is the trademark of masters: to express what matters in few, intelligible words.

[Syu Martirosyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waltz puts forth the idea that the reason behind the peaceful coexistence of the Soviet Union and the United States was the structure of a bipolar system that guaranteed the stability of the international system.

[Kassidy Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

defensive realism is also applicable to everyday life

[Maja Bronczak · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Structural Realism After the Cold War)

[Serge · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Foreign Policy class Fall 2025