Idealism and realism in international relations : a dichotomy of failure

Abstract EN

The debate between idealism and realism continues to mark the discipline of internationalrelations.

One may argue that realism of international relations is all about the struggle forpower and a quest for survival, which fails and leads to permanent conflicts.

However, idealism is another school of thought in international relations that suggests peacefulcoexistence, prosperity, and well-being, are ideas achieved through cooperation based onvalues and aspirations.

This paper is a try to analyze the debate between idealism and realismin international relations and whether it is a success or a mere dichotomy of failure.

Theargument presented here is that both idealism and realism are two thoughts that lead to thecreation and maintenance of international order.

There was a power for realists and therewere rules for idealists, and when the two clashed, the result was the rule of power.

Tothis end, scholars have struggled with this realist idea.

The idealism theory considers thepossibility to build a world of peaceful coexistence, prosperity, and well-being, achievedthrough cooperation based on values and aspirations shared by humans as a whole.