Shahid Beheshti University Political and International Approaches 1735-739X 10 3 2019 08 23 Randal Schweller and Challenges to Realism Randal Schweller and Challenges to Realism 136 155 102703 10.29252/piaj.2022.212211.0 FA Journal Article 2019 06 11 Randall Schweller is a leading neoclassical realist who has paved the way for the revival<br />of realism through criticizing the structuralist approach of neo-realism. Waltz, Walt, and<br />Mearsheimer have been the major targets of his attacks. This article argues that his main<br />added value to realism is to find a way to respond to internal divisions among realists and<br />weak historical support for many of neo-realist propositions. Within this framework he enters<br />into internal debates among realists about status quo versus revisionist states; explains<br />non-formation of balancing behavior and balance of power in the course of history; pays<br />attention to change in international system ignored by many realists; and rejects the objections<br />against realists for not accounting for international institutions. By including domestic<br />factors in his analysis, his work accounts for the emergence of revisionist states, dynamics<br />of international system, and the significance (or insignificance) of international institutions<br />within a theory of states’ interest and the resulting balance of interests in the international<br />system. This theory can clarify the historical conditions in which realists’ claims can prove<br />to be true. In order to give an account of Schweller’s theoretical endeavors to modify and revive<br />realism, this article analyses his major works and shows that although he could account<br />for inconsistences within realism, his own work with its own problems can add to internal<br />divisions within realist camp. Randall Schweller is a leading neoclassical realist who has paved the way for the revival<br />of realism through criticizing the structuralist approach of neo-realism. Waltz, Walt, and<br />Mearsheimer have been the major targets of his attacks. This article argues that his main<br />added value to realism is to find a way to respond to internal divisions among realists and<br />weak historical support for many of neo-realist propositions. Within this framework he enters<br />into internal debates among realists about status quo versus revisionist states; explains<br />non-formation of balancing behavior and balance of power in the course of history; pays<br />attention to change in international system ignored by many realists; and rejects the objections<br />against realists for not accounting for international institutions. By including domestic<br />factors in his analysis, his work accounts for the emergence of revisionist states, dynamics<br />of international system, and the significance (or insignificance) of international institutions<br />within a theory of states’ interest and the resulting balance of interests in the international<br />system. This theory can clarify the historical conditions in which realists’ claims can prove<br />to be true. In order to give an account of Schweller’s theoretical endeavors to modify and revive<br />realism, this article analyses his major works and shows that although he could account<br />for inconsistences within realism, his own work with its own problems can add to internal<br />divisions within realist camp. https://piaj.sbu.ac.ir/article_102703_06646924271cc2a4d2a08e79685cc2a3.pdf