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''See also:'' [[Realist school of international relations]]

''See also:'' [[Realist school of international relations]]

The leading international relations website E-International Relations describes the [[Realist school of international relations realist school of international relations]] thusly:

The leading international relations website E-International Relations describes the [[realist school of international relations]] thusly:

{{Cquote|The first assumption of realism is that the nation-state (usually abbreviated to ‘state’) is the principle actor in international relations. Other bodies exist, such as individuals and organisations, but their power is limited. Second, the state is a unitary actor. National interests, especially in times of war, lead the state to speak and act with one voice. Third, decision-makers are rational actors in the sense that rational decision-making leads to the pursuit of the national interest...

{{Cquote|The first assumption of realism is that the nation-state (usually abbreviated to ‘state’) is the principle actor in international relations. Other bodies exist, such as individuals and organisations, but their power is limited. Second, the state is a unitary actor. National interests, especially in times of war, lead the state to speak and act with one voice. Third, decision-makers are rational actors in the sense that rational decision-making leads to the pursuit of the national interest...