Defensive structural realism
Central theme Elman and Jensen (Realisms, 2013) “Suggest that states seek security in an anarchic international system because main threat to their well-being comes from other states. States apply a degree of rational restraint to avoid war because of geography, technology and balancing.” Wikipedia (Wikipedia, 2015) “Defensive realists argue that the anarchical structure of the international system encourages states to maintain defensive and moderate policies. They argue that states are not intrinsically aggressive and the first concern of states is not to maximize power but to maintain their position in the system.” Liu and Zhang (Liu & Zhang, 2006) “Primary goals that states seek to achieve are survival and security. Power is a tool for achieving a goal and not a goal in itself.” Dynamics Taliaferro (Taliaferro, 2000) “International system provides incentives for expansion only under certain conditions. Under anarchy, many of the means a state uses to increase its sec