Theory of Realism and the Necessity to Reconsider Its Concepts

The realist paradigm has dominated research related to international relations theory since the Second World War. But today, many anomalies and dilemmas are threatening its main assumptions. The solution for this problem does not lie in a change in paradigm. Rather, we can revise realism in a progressive manner. Through this method, we can remove anomalies with the introduction of new assumptions, which in turn would lead to the discovery of new facts. Hence, this article tries to answer the question of to what extent realism has had the ability to reconstruct itself in the light of developments during the two past decades, drawing upon its four main assumptions (anarchy, power, national interests, and balance of power) and casting doubt on their concepts and functions.