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neorealism

neorealism

9.3
A theory that explains countries' actions by the balance of power between them
  • noun
  • /ˌniːoʊˈrɪəlɪzəm/
  • Formal
translation icon : neorrealismo
  • The principles of neorealism suggest that the power distribution in the international system is crucial for understanding state behavior.
  • neorealism and neoliberalism
  • neorealism and institutionalism

Examples

  • The idea that international politics can be thought of as a system with a precisely defined structure is neorealism's fundamental departure from traditional realism.

    Academic text (1990)
  • For neorealism and neoliberalism, institutions reflect material power arrangements between member states; they do not have power in themselves.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Neorealism clearly focuses on military power as the basis of security in the international system.

    Academic text (1998)
  • There are important similarities between how neorealism and neoliberalism approach the question of institutions.

    Academic text (1998)
  • A still more important one is neorealism's use of the concept of power as a defining characteristic of structure.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Nevertheless, neorealism continues to be criticized for its omissions.

    Academic text (1990)
  • However, neorealism, with its stress on the preeminence of security among state goals, offers some implicit insights.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Therefore, the following discussion describes neorealism, then neoliberalism, before returning to the neorealist interpretation of institutions.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Neorealism is the progenitor of neoliberalism; however, much of neorealism's discussion of institutions is a response to the neoliberal critique.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The dominant North American approaches to international institutions—neorealism and neoliberal institutionalism—focus almost completely on material incentives and effects to explain institutional development.

    Academic text (1998)

How Realist

neorealism
  • Formal
9.3
liberalism
78 5.8
idealism
  • Specialized
4 8.7

Surface Forms

neorealism singular
neorealisms plural

Morphology

neorealism = realism (transparent) = neo + realism

Formed by the productive prefix 'neo-' attached to the noun 'realism', indicating a newer or updated variant of the theory.

Etymology

Neorealism joins the part neo- meaning 'new' and realism meaning 'focus on the real'. So, in international affairs neorealism is a 'new' realism that explains why states act as they do by looking at power and the balance between countries.