Defensive Realism
The security dilemma is the core assumption of defensive realism. According to Waltz because the world does not have a common government (it is “anarchic”), survival is the main motive of states. States are distrustful of other states’ intentions and as a consequence always try to maximize their own security; this results in the situation of the security dilemma. Offense-defense theory of defensive realism is a potential theory to explain the level of threat arising from the security dilemma. Defensive realists often regard the success of the USA in WWI as being a result of the defensive approach taken by the US. Had the US taken an offensive stance, defensive realists argue that the US would not have been secure. The conclusion from defensive realism is that in some circumstances states can escape the security dilemma.
Read more about this topic: Security Dilemma
Famous quotes containing the words defensive and/or realism:
“Stay-at-home mothers, . . . their self-esteem constantly assaulted, . . . are ever more fervently concerned that their offspring turn out better so they won’t have to stoop to say “I told you so.” Working mothers, . . . their self-esteem corroded by guilt, . . . are praying their kids turn out functional so they can stop being defensive and apologetic and instead assert “See? I did do it all.””
—Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)
“The realism of failure, the romance of success.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)