Abstract

This study develops a theory of the international security structure in which structural constraints do not always encourage the military competition that is predicted by neorealism. The structural theory of "ideorealism" accounts for recurring competitive behaviors without the empirical anomalies and structural inflexibility of neorealism. It therefore expands this type of structural theory beyond neorealism--for example, by suggesting how the neorealist and neoliberal views of cooperation can be seen as manifestations of the same structural theory under different conditions. ;The study examines the end of the Cold War and concludes that, while this event is inconsistent with neorealism, it would be consistent with a structural theory that recognizes the effects of ideological conflict and other sources of incompatibility between states' objectives. Ideorealism builds on this insight by proposing a new structural variable: the degree of incompatibility between the value systems of states, which is also referred to as the distance between states, which is also referred to as the distance between states in value space. Like neorealism, ideorealism focuses on the distribution of power, but it sees this distribution as depending not only on how power is distributed among states but also on how states are distributed in value space. The value of this structural variable is demonstrated by using it to help explain the democratic peace. ;The structural constraints of ideorealism differ from those of neorealism in that structural incentives for military competition are predicted to be smaller between states that are closer in value space. Consequently, states are expected to form alliances with states closer in value space and against those farther in value space. States are also seen as responding to structural constraints and pursuing their security not only by manipulating relative power but also by reducing the distances between states in value space--for example, by promoting norms that can reduce value incompatibilities. The policy implications of this security strategy are investigated by examining previous attempts to introduce incompatibility-reducing norms and by examining how ideorealism might provide an analytical framework for the gradual development of a collective system of rule enforcement