Abstract

This paper examines the theories of realism and idealism as distinct theories of International Relations (IR) based on their propositions. Whereas realism argues that international politics is a struggle for power and a quest for survival which results in a condition of conflict, idealism sees the plausibility of world peace achieved through cooperation and moral suasion. The paper evaluates the contributions of these theories in the understanding and explanation of IR. The paper interrogates how realism and idealism have helped in explaining different world events. It addresses questions regarding how and in what ways these theories have influenced the study of IR. The paper employs a qualitative and exploratory approach to arrive at its conclusion. The paper argues and also demonstrates that despite their shortcomings, both realism and idealism apply to real world scenarios and have helped in widening the scope of IR studies.

Keywords: Realism, Idealism, International Relations, International System, World Peace.