Macat Library

Kenneth Waltzâs 1979 Theory of International Politics is credited with bringing about a âscientific revolutionâ in the study of international relations â" bringing the field into a new era of systematic study. The book is also a lesson in reasoning carefully and critically. Good reasoning is exemplified by arguments that move systematically, through carefully organised stages, taking into account opposing stances and ideas as they move towards a logical conclusion. Theory of International Politics might be a textbook example of how to go about structuring an argument in this way to produce a watertight case for a particular point of view.

Waltzâs book begins by testing and critiquing earlier theories of international relations, showing their strengths and weaknesses, before moving on to argue for his own stance â" what has since become known as âneorealismâ. His aim was âto construct a theory of international politics that remedies the defects of present theories.â And this is precisely what he did; by showing the shortcomings of the prevalent theories of international relations, Waltz was then able to import insights from sociology to create a more comprehensive and realistic theory that took full account of the strengths of old schemas while also remedying their weaknesses â" reasoning out a new theory in the process.