Might Makes No Right: Realism and International Relations Theory

Abstract

The article describes the crisis of modern international relations theory (IRT) and assesses the prospects of political realism for developing a nationally oriented theory in Russia. The authors believe that realism can significantly contribute to the development of such a theory. However, the developmental tasks facing Russia go beyond the scope of realism; Russia must formulate a comprehensive idea of national development and IRT. The national idea should not be confined to the country’s survival and security; it should include the national understanding of freedom, values and development resources. Realism is not the whole truth, and in some of its manifestations it substitutes truth by power.