Refuting the State-Centered Realist Approach to International RelationsIn the field of international relations, there are many theories that provide a framework for analyzing international relations events. One of the predominant theories is the realist theory. State-centered realist theory, rooted in ancient Western philosophy, is one of those theories that has proven itself after centuries of use. The beginning of the 20th century, however, marked the beginning of an era that would force proponents of realism to reassess their approach to international relations. Some events do not fit into the realistic framework; as such, some have questioned its validity as things stand. One of the forces at play is mainly that of international non-governmental organizations or NGOs. The coalition to ban landmines, for example, was a joint effort by many stakeholders and NGOs that ultimately led to policy changes in many countries around the world. Through the use of NGOs, women's rights movements have also managed to influence governments in recent years by exerting direct and indirect pressure on the government. Therefore, through the efforts of NGOs, awareness has been raised to otherwise neglected issues. Increased awareness on these issues could lead to a widespread shift in party preferences, if the government does not act. Compliance may be the government's only choice in the face of these pressures. Although the state-centered realist approach to international relations has been widely accepted, this article will illustrate how the realist framework fails to explain some of the dynamics of world politics today. This will be done through the analysis of NGOs, the Ottawa Convention and women...... amidst documents, which in turn influenced international relations. This transition occurred alongside increased means of communication. Communication, as we have seen, has been a fundamental aspect in the creation of these organizations and networks. Also, as this all ties into realism, we're starting to see a trend emerge. Times have changed, communication has evolved and participation has increased. The example of the Landmine Ban Convention, the Women's Movement and the impact of other successful NGOs led to changes which certainly had a strong impact on the uncontested realism of international relations. Given the above, one conclusion remains: the fact that realism cannot account for the above-mentioned changes and developments with respect to NGOs shows how realism may lack a theoretical framework to fully assess international politics today..