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A review essay on books by (1) Alexander Wendt, Social Theory of International Politics Cambridge: Cambridge U Press, 1999); (2) Brian C. Schmidt, The Political Discourse of Anarchy: A Disciplinary History of International Relations (Albany, NY: State U of New York Press, 1998); & (3) Stefano Guzzini, Realism in International Relations and International Political Economy: The Continuing Story of a Death Foretold (London: Routledge, 1998). Wendt's premise is that the materialist & individualist characteristics of international theory have had important effects. He shows that there is a relationship between both materialism & idealism & between individualism & holism. He criticizes neorealists & then goes on to apply social theories to international politics. Though Wendt fails to consider some important points, his book -- which is comprehensive & philosophically sound -- demonstrates that he is currently one of the top thinkers in the field of international relations. Schmidt argues that internal debates, rather than variations in the external environment, are responsible for the evolution of the field of political science. He offers a comprehensive history of political science, arguing that international law & international relations have been closely interrelated. The book, despite its minor weaknesses, makes several unique contributions to the field. Guzzini claims that, since its inception in the 1940s, international relations in the US has been inherently intertwined with foreign policy. This book claims that realism was allowed to surface once idealism lost its prominence. The book argues that the theory of realism cannot fully explain world politics. Though Guzzini's arguments are compelling, he expends too much energy in highlighting the relationship between US foreign policy & the evolution of international relations, & some of his theories are quite problematic. Each advances the idea that all international relations paradigms, developed in North America, are worthy of debate. 39 References. K. A. Larsen

Makinda reviews 'Realism in International Relations and International Political Economy' by Stefano Guzzini.