In the field of international relations, states play a central role in shaping global interactions. Historically, states were not always considered the primary actors, but this changed with the Treaty of Westphalia, which established the nation-state system and prioritized state sovereignty. This period also saw the emergence of the balance of power concept. Today, realism remains the dominant school of thought in international relations, viewing the state as a rational entity that seeks to maximize power and security.

The foundations of realism can be traced back to Thucydides, who analyzed the war between Sparta and Athens, illustrating how the rise of Sparta threatened Athens’ security. His work, The Peloponnesian War, remains a cornerstone of realist thought. The concept of the “Thucydides Trap”—which describes a rising power challenging the dominance of an established power—is frequently applied in contemporary discourse, particularly concerning China’s rise and its challenge to U.S. global supremacy.

Several scholars have further developed the realist perspective. Thomas Hobbes, in Leviathan, described the social contract between the masses and the state, arguing that a strong central authority is necessary to maintain order. Hans J. Morgenthau, in Politics Among Nations, articulated six key........

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