Realism by definition is an approach to world politics derived from the tradition of power politics and the belief that behavior is determined by the pursuit and distribution of power. [5] Using the concept of power, it is easy to discuss the basics of realism. Realist theories are based on the belief that states are motivated by aggressive or defensive impulses, that the national interest is survival, and that states are unitary actors each advancing toward their own national interest.[4] The first key characteristic of realism is statism. Statism is an idea that the state is a faithful representative of the will of its people.[4] The State is sovereign and can therefore govern itself as it sees fit. With this sovereignty, this State is able to establish security. Once a state has established security, it is then able to maintain a community culture. However, in international relations, sovereignty does not ensure security and a state must therefore compete with its neighboring states to achieve this. This can lead to a power struggle to ensure that the people of the state can live safely.[5] A second key point of realism is survival. For realists, survival is pretty simple; the state with more power has a better chance of survival. Naturally, survival is considered to be the ultimate goal of realism. To ensure its survival, a state may deviate from its ethics because it cannot care about moral issues. If the state were to maintain its beliefs, it could suffer at the expense of a more powerful state. In cases of realism, there are two contradictory segments, defensive and offensive realists.[5] A state with a realistic, defensive perspective believes that it must obtain enough power to provide security, but not as much power as its security...... middle of paper ...... event. Works cited1. http://www.orsam.org.tr/tr/trUploads/Yazilar/Dosyalar/201229_ortadoguetutler_volume3_no2.pdf#page=11). Özlem TUR. January 2012. ORSAM. April 13, 20122. (http://www.laidi.com/sitedp/sites/default/files/The%20Arab%20Counterrevolution_0.pdf). Hussein Agha and Robert Malley. September 29, 2011. The New York Review of Books. April 13, 20123. (http://www.pomeps.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/POMEPS_BriefBooklet4_Syria-TEXT_WEB-1.pdf) Mona Yacoubian and Radwan Ziadeh. May 4, 2011 Middle East Political Science Project. April 13, 20124. Tim Dunne and Brian C. Schmidt, “Realism,” in John Baylis and Steve Smith, The Globalization of Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2005), pp. 162-183.5. Mansbach, Richard and Kirsten Taylor, Introduction to World Politics. New York: Routledge. 2008 Print