What are the major assumptions of Realism? Why is it such a powerful explanation?

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What are the major assumptions of Realism? Why is it such a powerful explanation?

It is the amalgam of political theory and a central understanding of 'the self' that makes the doctrine of realism so potent and universal. Indeed, it was realism, manifest in foreign policy that catapulted the likes of Adolf Hitler and Otto von Bismarck to eminence. In fact, one would go as far to say that it is the very implementation of Real Politik that has provided the fuel needed for the locomotion of history. It was once aptly put by Leon Trotsky that 'war is the locomotive of history'; and the locomotive of war is very often the implementation of state-centric action, i.e. power politics. The theory of realism is so powerful because it purports to explain the 'struggle amongst human beings'i, a struggle which was borne out of our very evolution. For human beings are remarkably selfish. Each of us strive to further our own interests and give ourselves an advantage in everyday life; indeed, it is that motivation which leads many young school-leavers to go on to university, and to aspire to high paid and influential positions. Writing this essay and understanding the focus