Realism and the Logic of War in International Politics: Nigeria in the Contemporary International System
Despite the expansion of international institutions and cooperative norms, war remains a persistent feature of international politics. This study examines realism and the logic of war in international relations, using Nigeria’s engagement in the contemporary international system as a case study. Anchored in realist theory and supported by Hegemonic Stability Theory, the paper argues that the anarchic structure of the international system, the primacy of national interest, and the continuous struggle for power make war a rational and recurrent outcome of global politics rather than an anomaly. Adopting a qualitative content analysis approach, the study relies on secondary sources such as scholarly literature, policy documents, and historical records to interrogate the relevance of classical and structural realist assumptions. The findings reveal that Nigeria’s foreign and security policies particularly its involvement in peacekeeping, regional security initiatives, and counterterrorism operations largely conform to realist expectations shaped by power considerations and strategic necessity. The study further demonstrates that hegemonic power distribution significantly influences patterns of conflict and stability, reinforcing the realist claim that power transitions heighten the likelihood of war. While acknowledging the limitations of realism, especially its state-centric bias, the paper concludes that realism remains a powerful explanatory framework for understanding the persistence of war and Nigeria’s strategic behavior within the contemporary international system.
Keywords: Realism, War, International Politics, National Interest.
