Difference Between Realism And Neorealism

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Neorealism Realist school is bound with the notion of sovereign state, which is a dominant actor in the international system. These relations among states are formed within the anarchy of international system. Realists pay great importance to the state and its institutions, which are guided by its national interests in international politics. According to Waltz states are defined as ‘the units whose interactions form the structure of the international political system’ . States are essential because of their ability to establish the governing rules stipulating the behavior of all participants (multi-national corporations, NGOs, trans-national social movements, private individuals and non-state entities) in international system. Other actors apart from states do not play a central role in international system, and tend to be usually subordinated to the institutions of the state with limited capacity to act autonomously. Along realist perspective states as unitary political units are the main actors to define energy relations. They do not only possess the majority of the global energy resources , but also define the main energy routes. Therefore, the role of states in energy field is strengthening as suggested by Gal Luft and Anne Korin ‘exporters are …show more content…

Therefore ‘international organization is above all a tool of national government, an instrument for the pursuit of national interest by other means’ . International organizations are based on the treaties made by states, thus states determine the fate of them. The effectiveness of institutions is also a function of states’ willingness to use them as a tool. Neorealist school proceeds that state abroad is capable to act as a single entity. So if foreign activity is controlled by state, state has a capacity to define national interests abroad. As a result all foreign business could be subordinated to national interest

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