Why do realists believe that global politics is characterised by conflict?

Annotations:

• States are the key global actors and, being sovereign, act autonomously.  

1. Power

   Annotations:

   • The primary motive of a state is the pursuit of power and self-interest. 
   1. Human Nature

      Annotations:

      • Selfish  Greedy  Power seeking
   2. Power Politics

      Annotations:

      • Power defined by military capacity. Ability to enforce will elsewhere.  Resist aggression by other states.
2. Applicable to all states

   Annotations:

   • Despite constitutional character (e.g. UK and USA include aid grants and so on in their foreign policy, but this is very Machiavellian)

Annotations:

• anarchical - no power above the sovereign state. 

1. Forces Self-Help

   Annotations:

   • No other body can ensure security, so forced to ensure their own
   1. Suspicion

      Annotations:

      • Fear and insecurity = irresistible tendency towards competition and conflict  
2. Security Dilemma

   Annotations:

   • Military build up by one state is inferred to be offensive (aggressive), leading to an arms race, growing hostility and the likelihood of war