Survival Trumps Prosperity in Anarchy

In international relations, the fundamental debate often revolves around prioritizing state survival versus economic prosperity. Realists emphasize the importance of security and the necessity of state power in an anarchic world where no higher authority exists to ensure safety. The belief is that being powerful discourages threats from others, reinforcing the idea that to survive, a state must be formidable. In this context, the United States is highlighted as a regional hegemon, effectively dominating the Western Hemisphere and thereby enhancing its own prospects for survival.