Waltz's Model of International Politics

Waltz's Model of International Politics, known as Neorealism, emphasizes that the international system is anarchic, meaning there is no central authority governing states. In this environment, countries prioritize their own security and power. Waltz argues that state behavior is largely driven by the need to survive and maintain sovereignty, leading to a balance of power where states interact in a competitive manner. This model focuses on structural factors—like the distribution of capabilities among states—rather than individual or domestic factors, suggesting that international outcomes are shaped by the system as a whole rather than by individual leaders or nations.