To build a theory of international relations on accidents of geography and history is dangerous. Kenneth Waltz More Quotes by Kenneth Waltz More Quotes From Kenneth Waltz Each state pursues its own interest's, however defined, in ways it judges best. Force is a means of achieving the external ends of states because there exists no consistent, reliable process of reconciling the conflicts of interest that inevitably arise among similar units in a condition of anarchy. Kenneth Waltz judging mean way With many sovereign states, with no system of law enforceable among them, with each state judging its grievances and ambitions according to the dictates of its own reason or desire - conflict, sometimes leading to war, is bound to occur. Kenneth Waltz ambition law war States in the world are like individuals in the state of nature. They are neither perfectly good nor are they controlled by law. Kenneth Waltz perfectly-good law world According to the first image of international relations, the locus of the important causes of war is found in the nature and behavior of man. Wars result from selfishness, from misdirected aggressive impulses, from stupidity. Kenneth Waltz stupidity men war In anarchy there is no automatic harmony . Kenneth Waltz anarchism anarchy harmony The most important causes of political arrangements and acts are found in the nature and behavior of man. Kenneth Waltz political important men Then what explains war among states? Rousseau's answer is really that war occurs because there is nothing to prevent it. Kenneth Waltz states answers war If we are to have peace, we must learn loyalty to a larger group. And before we can learn loyalty, the thing to which we are to be loyal must be created. Kenneth Waltz groups loyal loyalty Once socialism replaces capitalism, reason will determine the policies of states. Kenneth Waltz socialism states reason The implication of game theory, which is also the implication of the third image, is, however, that the freedom of choice of any one state is limited by the actions of the others. Kenneth Waltz choices games action Each man does seek his own interest, but, unfortunately, not according to the dictates of reason. Kenneth Waltz reason doe men External pressure seems to produce internal unity. Kenneth Waltz unity produce pressure War most often promotes the internal unity of each state involved. The state plagued by internal strife may then, instead of waiting for the accidental attack, seek the war that will bring internal peace. Kenneth Waltz unity waiting war Asking who won a given war, someone has said, is like asking who won the San Francisco earthquake. That in war there is no victory but only varying degrees of defeat is a proposition that has gained increasing acceptance in the twentieth century. Kenneth Waltz acceptance earthquakes war War may achieve a redistribution of resources, but labor, not war, creates wealth. Kenneth Waltz wealth may war It is not true that were the Soviet Union to disappear the remaining states could easily live in peace. Kenneth Waltz disappear unions states To solve these problems one needs as much an understanding of politics as an understanding of man - and the one cannot be derived from the other. Kenneth Waltz understanding men needs The transitory interests of royal houses may be advanced in war; the real interests of all people are furthered by the peace. Kenneth Waltz real war people In a zero-sum game, the problem is entirely one of distribution, not at all one of production. Kenneth Waltz zero problem games No system of balance functions automatically. Kenneth Waltz function balance
