Kenneth Waltz - Theory Quotes

3 Sourced Quotes

View all Kenneth Waltz Quotes

To build a theory of international relations on accidents of geography and history is dangerous.

Kenneth Waltz

I am not saying that such a theory cannot be constructed, but only that I cannot see how to do it in any way that might be useful. The decisive point, anyway, is that a macrotheory of international politics would lack the practical implications of macroeconomic theory. National governments can manipulate system-wide economic variables. No agencies with comparable capabilities exist internationally. Who would act on the possibilities of adjustment that a macrotheory of international politics might reveal?

Kenneth Waltz

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