Differences between classical realism and neorealism
What is classical realism? According to Elman (2007), the main assumption in the theory of classical realism is that the desire for power is rooted in the flawed nature of humanity, which causes states to continuously engage in a struggle to increase their capabilities. He said the absence of the international equivalent of a state's government is a permissive condition that gives human appetite free reign. The notion of 'flawed nature' comes from the work of Thomas Hobbes; he said human beings by nature are brutish and egoistic. It is in our nature to pursue our own interest before the interest of others. We are capable of doing anything in order to achieve the outcomes we want. To further understand the notion, we look at the four universal conditions mentioned by Thomas Hobbes: Equality of power - all people are roughly equal in strength and intelligence. No single person is so smart or powerful that they cannot be defeated or outwitted by someone else. Equality of need