History of the Peloponnesian War

Power politics, desire for power and the need to follow self-interest as aspects of human nature

The Prince

Better to than feared than loved, necessary to learn how not to be good; a prince should both be a lion and a fox

Leviathan

Man has a restless desire for power that ceases only in death and is solitary, poor, short, and brutish

The State of War

anarchical system fosters fear, jealousy, suspicion, and insecurity

Politics among Nations

Classical Realism: it is in human nature that we pursue more power

Theory of International Politics

Neorealism: Anarchy leads to a logic of self-help where states seek to maximize their security.

Tragedy of Great Power Politics

Neorealism: The anarchical self-help system compels states to maximize their relative power positions as they can be never sure of other states' intention

From Wealth to Power

Neoclassical Realism: national interest is focused here and not just power, incorporates domestic level factors