What foreign policy philosophy contends that the motivating factor in a nation's international decision-making process is (or should be)that nation's own interests?

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Realism contends that a nation's foreign policy decisions are motivated by its own national interests, rather than by moral or ideological considerations. Realists argue that the international system is inherently anarchic and that nations must act in their own self-interest to survive and thrive in this environment. This stands in contrast to idealism, which emphasizes moral values and principles in foreign policy decision-making, and internationalism, which emphasizes cooperation and collective action among nations. Isolationism and nationalism are also different philosophies in which a nation prioritizes its own interests, but they tend to be more inward-looking and isolationist in their foreign policy approach, whereas realism accommodates engagement with the international system.

What Foreign Policy Philosophy Contends That the Motivating Factor in a Nation's