What Are the Key Similarities and Differences Between Classical and Structural Realism

What are the key similarities and differences between classical and structural realism? In answering this question, you might consider the following elements of comparison: the assumptions both theories make, their approach to studying international politics, the most important causes and war and peace in the different theories, and the policy prescriptions they provide to statesmen and stateswomen. This list is not exclusive: if you find other areas of similarity or difference please include them. Ultimately, do you believe classical and structural realism are basically similar or fundamentally different theories?

Realism is a theory of international relationships with ancient philosophical foundations based in Thucydides, Machiavelli or Hobbes. In this paper, we will establish the main differences between two of its main branches; classical and the structural realism.

Both methods of thought have a pessimistic view of human nature and are very skeptical in the progress of international relationships. They believe that humans are only worried about their own well-being and this is moved to their political relations. They see the international scenario as a place where they can solve their issues, a please in which the power is not controlled by a higher and where most powerful states try to take advantage of their strength to benefit their citizens. The main difference between these two branches is that classical realism seeks power based in an absolute truth. They believe that the theories in which they base their thinking are omnipotent. If state-men pursue power in this way, balance and stability will be achieved. On the other hand, structural realism has tried to move away from classical realism by abandoning his sole trust and reliance in history. They also believe in the seeking of power but as a theoretical assumption based on sake or an argument. They argue that this theory of power is falsifiable and can be wrong. You need to have hypothesis which are incorrect. Hypothesis that don´t coincide with data, so if your data don´t support your theory you can go back and revise it.

Although this theoretical difference, classical and structural realism share some important assumptions. In the first place, they both believe that anarchy is the state of nature, the one that dominates the international scenario. The realistic point of view is based on the idea that the system is regulated by power and no by agreements or laws. Thucydides already introduced this idea in ancient Greece trying to explain the relations between the Greek city-states. During this era, the states were unequal in power and capability and they had the obligation to adapt themselves to the given reality if they wanted to survive. Taking the correct decisions and being aware of their limitations was their main goal if they wanted to improve. Machiavelli also shows in "The Prince" how important this idea of power was. More land meant

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