The Ácádemy

The Three Schools of Thought

REALISTS

     Realists believe the world is in an unchangeable state of struggle. States compete in a lawless world of anarchy. Mankind is not inherently good, but self-centered. States must seek their own national interests above regard to morals or ideals. The best path to peace often is a balance of power and the practice of realpolitik to avoid arms races. Enduring treaties and alliances are not realistic.

Examples of realist philosophy:

     Sun Tzu - The Art of War

     Thucydides - History of the Peloponnesian War

     Machiavelli - The Prince

     Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan

also see: Wikipedia

LIBERALS

     Liberals believe states do compete and struggle, but can also cooperate. They are optomistic about the idea that the way the world works can change.

IDEALISTS (Constructionists)

     Idealists, unlike realists and liberals, do not believe the world is necessarily or naturally based on states. They believe the world system is very mutable. For example, corporations could become players on the world stage as much as states.

Examples of Various Schools of Thought

     Wilsonian Idealism is a foreign policy that promotes the spread of democracy and capitalism around the world and is in favor of interventionism.