Realism And Fear In International Relations : M... -

: When State A builds up its military for defense, State B perceives this as a threat and builds its own. This creates a cycle where both states feel less secure than before, despite their best efforts.

Realism starts with a cold, hard fact: the international system is . This doesn't mean it’s chaotic, but rather that there is no "world government" or higher authority to protect states if they are attacked. Realism and Fear in International Relations : M...

Because states must provide for their own security (a "self-help" system), two critical factors emerge: : When State A builds up its military