ner (Keohane, 1986, p. 7).
Realist thought provides an easily understood model for international relations. The leaders of nation-states begin with the premise that other nation-states are interested in maximizing their own power, obviously at a cost to others. In order to protect the security of one's own nation, a prudent leadership will assess the threat posed by the distribution of power across the globe. Individual nations are identified for their power base, either alone or in coalition with other nations. The likelihood that other nations may encroach upon the security of others is determined not through what political leaders say, but rather on the assu
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