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 per....
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