Why do realists believe that the anarchic international system leads to war?
A) Anarchy has led nondemocracies to become more prevalent than democracies,and nondemocracies are more aggressive than democracies.
B) Under the condition of anarchy there are few rules about how to decide among contending claims and no effective arbiter to do so.
C) Anarchy leads states to have weak armies,so they are attacked by terrorists.
D) Realists do not believe that war is the result of the anarchy of the international system.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Realists believe that in the anarchic international system, there are no effective institutions or mechanisms to resolve conflicts peacefully or to prevent one state from using force against another. Without a central authority, states must rely on their own military strength to ensure their security, which can lead to an arms race and a potential for war as each state seeks to protect its own interests. Therefore, realists argue that the condition of anarchy makes war more likely as there are no constraints on state behavior. Option A is not entirely accurate as there is no direct causal relationship between nondemocratic regimes and aggression. Option C is also inaccurate as realists argue that states need to have strong militaries to protect themselves from external threats, such as other states, rather than terrorist groups. Option D is incorrect as realists do attribute the potential for conflict to the anarchy of the international system.

Why Do Realists Believe That the Anarchic International System Leads