Philosophy
Political Realism in International Relations: Power over Morality
Quick fact
Thucidides, the ancient Greek historian, is considered the father of political realism. In his account of the Peloponnesian War, the Athenians famously told the Melians that 'the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must'—a brutal summary of the realist worldview.
Why this is interesting
Why do nations sometimes stand by while atrocities happen? Why do alliances shift overnight? The answer, realists argue, lies in a simple truth: in the jungle of world politics, might often makes right.