In the seminal 1979 classic Theory of International Politics, Kenneth Waltz identified the benefits a state can derive if its security is prioritized above all else. His theory, known as the Waltz Theory of International Politics, revolutionized the field of international relations by emphasizing the importance of structure and system-level factors in shaping state behavior.
The realist school of international relations is known to draw heavily from the political thought of Thomas Hobbes and Niccolò Machiavelli. Waltz's theory, however, introduced a new perspective that focused on the anarchic nature of the international system and how states navigate this environment to ensure their survival and security.
Kenneth N. Waltz, who was arguably the preeminent theorist of international relations of the postwar period, had passed away at the age of 88. His contributions to the field continue to shape scholarly debates and inform policy decisions around the world.
Waltz made his mark through a handful of books and articles in which he advanced simple, yet counterintuitive, theories about how international politics works. His emphasis on the structural constraints that shape state behavior challenged prevailing assumptions and provided a new lens through which to understand the complexities of global politics.
Kenneth N. Waltz, a widely admired scholar of international relations who was best known to the broader public for his theory that, as far as nuclear weapons are concerned, more may be better, pushed the boundaries of traditional thinking in the field. His work continues to inspire new generations of scholars and policymakers.
Robert Gilpin passed away recently. Most of us knew him as the author of War and Change in World Politics. Others knew him primarily from his work on international political economy. Gilpin's contributions to the field of international relations were significant, but it was Waltz who truly revolutionized the way we think about global politics.
Kenneth Waltz passed away. He was, bar none, the most influential scholar of international relations of the past 50 years. His legacy lives on in the countless students and scholars he inspired to think critically about the world around them and to challenge conventional wisdom in pursuit of a deeper understanding of global dynamics.
Kenneth N. Waltz, a pre-eminent thinker on international relations who was known for his contrarian, debate-provoking ideas, not least his view that stability in the international system is best achieved through a balance of power among states. His theory continues to be a touchstone for scholars seeking to understand the complexities of global politics.
The late-Kenneth Waltz's 'Theory of International Politics' is full of metatheoretical implications that have been largely overlooked by scholars in the field. His emphasis on the importance of structure, rather than individual agency, in shaping state behavior has profound implications for how we understand the dynamics of the international system.
