An Analysis of Kenneth Waltz's Theory of International Politics
by Riley Quinn
2021-01-10 18:39:27
An Analysis of Kenneth Waltz's Theory of International Politics
by Riley Quinn
2021-01-10 18:39:27
Kenneth Waltzâs 1979 Theory of International Politics is credited with bringing about a âscientific revolutionâ in the study of international relations â bringing the field into a new era of systematic study. The book is also a le...
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Kenneth Waltzâs 1979 Theory of International Politics is credited with bringing about a âscientific revolutionâ in the study of international relations â bringing the field into a new era of systematic study. The book is also a lesson in reasoning carefully and critically. Good reasoning is exemplified by arguments that move systematically, through carefully organised stages, taking into account opposing stances and ideas as they move towards a logical conclusion. Theory of International Politics might be a textbook example of how to go about structuring an argument in this way to produce a watertight case for a particular point of view. Waltzâs book begins by testing and critiquing earlier theories of international relations, showing their strengths and weaknesses, before moving on to argue for his own stance â what has since become known as âneorealismâ. His aim was âto construct a theory of international politics that remedies the defects of present theories.â And this is precisely what he did; by showing the shortcomings of the prevalent theories of international relations, Waltz was then able to import insights from sociology to create a more comprehensive and realistic theory that took full account of the strengths of old schemas while also remedying their weaknesses â reasoning out a new theory in the process.
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