This book defends realism in the study of international politics and demonstrates the heuristic and evaluative utility of Robert Berki's interpretation of political realism and political idealism. It argues that realism is not a meaningless term nor redundant and necessarily rhetorical in politics.

1. Introduction 2. A Framework for Analysis: Realism Versus Idealisms 3. Hans Morgenthau: Theory as Truth 4. Hans Morgenthau: A Critical Analysis 5. Kenneth Waltz: Theory as Science 6. Kenneth Waltz: A Critical Analysis 7. Hedley Bull: Theory as Tradition 8. Hedley Bull: A Critical Analysis 9. Conclusions