War and International Politics: A Realist Perspective

🌍War is a dominating feature of international politics and influences how leaders think and how states interact with each other.

🔀The transition from a unipolar world to a multi-polar world has brought back great power politics and security competition.

⚖️The decision to go to war is driven by national interest and is an extension of politics, with the possibility of preventive wars and wars of opportunity.

🔺Escalation in war poses a significant risk, as military considerations can dominate political considerations.

☮️Efforts to eliminate war have been unsuccessful, and it remains an ever-present possibility in international politics.

Is war a dominant feature of international politics?

—Yes, war is a dominating feature of international politics, influencing how leaders think and how states interact with each other.

How has the transition to a multi-polar world affected international politics?

—The transition to a multi-polar world has brought back great power politics and security competition.

What drives the decision to go to war?

—The decision to go to war is driven by national interest and is an extension of politics, with the possibility of preventive wars and wars of opportunity.

Why is escalation in war a concern?

—Escalation in war is a concern because military considerations can dominate political considerations.

Can war be eliminated from international politics?

—Efforts to eliminate war have been unsuccessful, and it remains an ever-present possibility in international politics.

00:00[Music] - Introduction to the topic of war and international politics.

00:05War is a dominating feature of international politics, influenced by the competition among great powers.

00:21The transition from a unipolar world to a multi-polar world has brought back great power politics and security competition.

01:01The decision to go to war is driven by national interest and is an extension of politics.

05:30Escalation in war is a concern, as military considerations can dominate political considerations.

06:29Efforts to eliminate war have been unsuccessful, and it remains an ever-present possibility in international politics.