Theory of International Politics

book by Waltz

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July 16, 2026

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Kenneth Waltz's Theory of International Politics (1979) is a foundational text in neorealism, a theory of international relations. Waltz argued that international politics is best understood by examining the structure of the international system, specifically the anarchic state (the absence of a world government) and the distribution of power among states. He posited that states are self-interested actors primarily concerned with survival in this anarchic environment. The theory emphasizes the polarity of the system—whether it is unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar—as a key factor influencing state behavior and international stability. Waltz considered bipolarity, a system with two superpowers, to be the most stable configuration.12

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international relations
Structures, institutions, and levels of analysis
…the publication of Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics in 1979. Neorealism represented an effort to inject greater precision, or conceptual rigour, into realist theory. While retaining power as a central explanatory notion, Waltz’s neorealism also incorporated the idea of structure as it is reflected in alliances and other cooperative…
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…the publication of Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics in 1979. Neorealism represented an effort to inject greater precision, or conceptual rigour, into realist theory. While retaining power as a central explanatory notion, Waltz’s neorealism also incorporated the idea of structure as it is reflected in alliances and other cooperative…
Read More

Kenneth N. Waltz
His most influential work, Theory of International Politics (1979), a systematic account of the international balance of power, remained a canonical text in political science well into the 21st century.
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His most influential work, Theory of International Politics (1979), a systematic account of the international balance of power, remained a canonical text in political science well into the 21st century.
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realism
Neorealism in international relations
In the Theory of International Politics (1979), Waltz argued that most of the important features of international relations, especially the actions of great powers, could be explained solely in terms of the anarchical structure of the international system. Although Waltz’s position was not original, in systematizing it…
Read More
In the Theory of International Politics (1979), Waltz argued that most of the important features of international relations, especially the actions of great powers, could be explained solely in terms of the anarchical structure of the international system. Although Waltz’s position was not original, in systematizing it…
Read More