The initial and primary idea in realism, which has already been touched on, is anarchy. This concept explains that there is no strong benevolent body governing over the behavior of states. The initial response to this is that the United Nations is such a figure, but even critics of realism agree that this is not the case and accept anarchy as a truth and guiding force. Under a system of anarchy security then becomes the primary vital interest of states and states themselves are thought to be the only actors in the international arena. The main key to this goal or to preserving the vital interest of security is power. Power for realists, in addition to obtaining security is also through balancing, the only way to prolong the inevitability of war. The prevention of war, argued by realists, is only preventable through a balancing of power through either an arms buildup, the most .
typical type of internal balancing, a formation of alliances against an aggressor known as external balancing, or simply completely giving in or bandwagoning. Liberal critics however view the involvement of non- governmental organizations, like the U.N, as essential non-state actors in preventing war and promoting global cooperation. .
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Military power; amount of tanks, troops, missiles and ships for example, or hard power, is generally the most commonly understood type of power which states utilize. However for countries like the United States there also exist other types that are just as formidable. Economic power can best be looked at in a situation between a state with money and a state without. For example the U.S has put extensive economic restrictions on Iraq designed to drive the country to obey our wishes, and in most other circumstances a country would. However this example also illustrates one of the initial traits described about realism is that there at times seems to be a lack of morality. Iraq did not give in to the U.