Neorealist Theory and Terrorist Groups: A Comparative Study of Descriptive and Explanatory Capacity of Theory

Realism has been the dominant theory on the both academic and practice realms. And later version of realism developed in the late of 1970s called neo-realism. Neo-realism has been able to generate an accurate assessment of international issues. However, the question which remains, is neo-realism applicable for describing and explaining current events especially terrorist groups? Because, in recent years, terrorist groups have achieved recognition as an important actor at international level, and many theorists in the field of international relations have been devoted to this topic. For neo-realists unanimously does not accept that terrorist groups are prosperous main actor in the international arena, because they are not able to change structure of international system or counter state position and power. Moreover, neo-realists have not agreed about suggesting unify strategic for preventing the spread of terrorist groups and implement restrict policies for challenging terrorist threat. Thus, neo-realist thought has come and attack of critiques by other theories including neo-liberalism and constructivism. The purpose of this essay is to provide an evaluation of terrorist groups' argument to prove that neo-realism has been failed to describe and explain terrorist groups; this is conducted through the use of an example referring to ISIS.