Realism: a Greater Explanation for World War I

Realism: A Greater Explanation for World War I Realism, by definition, is the study and practice of international relations; focusing on the nation-state, and that all nation-states are motivated by self-interest (Ferraro on Realism). The first two interests a state looks to fulfill are obtaining self-governance and defining borders. After those have been achieved countries will look to increase their power in many different forms (Ferraro on Realism). The years leading up to World War I were a time where most of Europe, as well as countries in Asia, were rapidly increasing their power. As countries gained power, their citizen’s nationalism, or attitude toward their country, also increased. According to Northedge and Grieve this was because the media was a greater influence then, than it was now. This was due to the fact that there was lack of education and no means of comparing different sources. In that period people believe virtually everything they read (Northedge and Grieve 71). There are many different methods of obtaining power and controlling it within realism; hegemonic stability theory, imperialism, and balance of power theory are three techniques that contributed significantly to the causes of World War I. The theory of Hegemonic stability reinforces that for the international system to remain stable, it “requires a single dominant state to articulate and enforce the rules on interaction among the most important members of the system” (Ferraro on Hegemony). “The system is a collective good which means that it is plagued by a ‘free rider’ syndrome. Thus, the hegemon must induce or coerce other states to support the system” (Ferraro on Hegemony). To a realist, the international system must be anarchical with no central authority, promoting greater diversity, opposed to a plethora of empires (Ferraro on Realism). This means the hegemon will not rule other nations, but induce a system that will be beneficial for all. To be a hegemon a state needs to

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