An Analysis of Kenneth Waltz's Theory of International Politics

Riley Quinn, Bryan Gibson

• Publisher: Macat Library
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781912127078
• eBook ISBN: 9781351353533
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Politics
• Index: Literature

Kenneth Waltz's 1979 Theory of International Politics is credited with bringing about a "scientific revolution" in the study of international relations – 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.

Waltz's 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 – what has since become known as "neorealism". His aim was "to construct a theory of international politics that remedies the defects of present theories." 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 – reasoning out a new theory in the process.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Ways In To The Text
• Section 1: Influences
• Section 2: Ideas
• Section 3: Impact
• Glossary of Terms
• People Mentioned In The Text
• Works Cited