The Historical Development of Realism in International Relations

Abstract

Realism is one of the central theoretical schools of modern Western international relations, originating from the Western intellectual tradition and gradually developing into a theoretical system with broad global influence. From philosophical foundations concerning human nature, power, and conflict, laid down by Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes, realism has been systematized into different theoretical branches, notably classical realism, neoclassical realism, structural realism (neorealism), defensive realism, and offensive realism. On that basis, this article analyzes the historical formation of realism in international relations, while also clarifying the inheritance and development of its foundational intellectual values through subsequent periods. These theoretical foundations created the premises for the emergence of major realist arguments through the contributions of prominent scholars such as E. H. Carr, Hans Morgenthau, Kenneth Waltz, and John Mearsheimer. From this perspective, the article offers several observations and assessments regarding the development and adaptability of realist theoretical branches in the context of a rapidly changing international political environment.