The fundamental nature of world politics stems from a classical realist notion that world order is determined by economic gains, military control, and technological advancements. This, however, has existed to be true due to the historical patterns of top nation states competing for dominance. It is this constant power struggle among nation states without a large global limiting factor that has allowed classical realism to remain as the basic structure for political theorists. Over time the realist view has been forced to accommodate a more multi-dimensional society where there are many actors and variables. This essay will address political theories and their adjustments to historical events, as well as how an insurgence of liberal institutionalism would provide a hegemonic body encompassing global markets, international free trade, an abided by international law, and most importantly collective international security. .
Since history has been documented, the struggle to gain and maintain power has allowed writers the ability to create new chapters due to the changes in civilization that it provided. Conflict has resulted in the creation of new territory, ideas, and methods of governing. Over time the notion arose that this nature to conquer was innate and that every great power sought to achieve more as a result of other's weaknesses. This belief formed the realist theory, which argues that human nature is evil and seeks domination at the expense of others to maintain it's own security. However apparent in history, this belief does not seek to implore what the very nature of humans are, but rather takes the easy out by observing what occurred and manipulating it to perform for all spheres of society. .
In later centuries, more nation-states formed along with non-state actors and it was these additions to the paradigm that have created new theories. Since power was no longer held by a monopoly or even bi-polar sources the new theories sought to incorporate the new political and cultural shifts.