What is a primary limitation of applying realism to explain international cooperation?

A primary limitation of applying realism to explain international cooperation is its emphasis on state egoism and the pursuit of relative gains, which makes it difficult to account for instances where states prioritize collective benefits over individual interests. Realism, at its core, views the international system as anarchic, meaning there is no central authority to enforce rules and agreements. States are the primary actors, and they are primarily motivated by their own survival and security. Because of this, realists assume states are self-interested and will prioritize their own gains, especially relative to other states. This focus on relative gains means that even if a cooperative agreement would benefit all states involved, a realist perspective suggests that a state will hesitate to participate if it believes another state will gain more from the agreement. The fear is that this would shift the balance of power unfavorably. This makes it difficult to explain why states would engage in cooperation that might benefit others more than themselves. International cooperation often requires states to make sacrifices or compromise on their immediate interests in order to achieve a larger, collective goal. For example, states may agree to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change, even though this may involve short-term economic costs. Realism struggles to explain such behavior, as it would suggest that states would prioritize their own economic growth over environmental concerns. Realism also tends to downplay the role of international institutions and norms in promoting cooperation. Realists see these institutions as tools that states use to advance their own interests, rather than as independent forces that can shape state behavior. They struggle to explain how institutions can foster trust and cooperation among states, even in the absence of a strong enforcement mechanism. For example, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been successful in promoting free trade among its member states, even though it has limited enforcement powers. While realism can explain some instances of cooperation, such as alliances formed for mutual defense, it struggles to account for the broader and more complex forms of cooperation that characterize contemporary international relations. Its emphasis on self-interest and relative gains makes it difficult to explain why states would consistently prioritize collective benefits over individual interests in a system without a central enforcer.