To what degree does Realist thought contribute to bringing about ongoing conditions of conflict, competition, and war in global politics, rather than simply describing them?

To what degree does Realist thought contribute to bringing about ongoing conditions of conflict, competition, and war in global politics, rather than simply describing them?

Order Description

This essay is part of a theories of international politics module, so a real engagement with the realist school of thought is required. The module convenor has explicitly stated she doesn’t want a history of realist thought ( of course if its relevant to a point you are making go ahead!) but an actual argument/ stance that answers the question.

An engagement with typical Realist thinkers will be essential- Morgenthau, Waltz, Walt, Claus von Clausewitz etc.

If possible I would like an angle from Robert Jervis and Stephen van Evera who are both defensive realists.

The module convenor has produced an essay checklist which may be useful:

? Have you directly answered the question that has been set?
? Does your essay put forward and justify a cohesive argument
in response to the question set?
? Is all of the material you have included in the essay relevant
for making your argument?
? Does your opening paragraph provide an indication of how
the rest of the essay will answer the question?
? Does your essay meet the word limit?
? Does your essay have a clear and logical structure?
? Does your conclusion summarise the material in the
preceding sections of your essay?
? Have you considered all the relevant arguments in response
to the question set?
? Have you enclosed all quotations within quotation marks and
provided references for them?
? Is your essay based on wide reading?
? Have you included a bibliography including all of the
chapters/articles/other material that you have drawn on for
the essay?
? Have you engaged critically with the literature? (ie. are you
doing more than just describing the contending scholarly
works?)