The key independent variable for realists is balance of power; for states to have a firm standing in the balance of power of states they therefore must consider security measures a top priority. In fact, Waltz says “ states do not willingly place themselves in situations of increased independence…in a self-help system considerations of security subordinate economic gain to political gain (Waltz, p. 107). The challenge for realists in the refugee crisis is letting Syrians coming into Germany or Hungary for example poses a terrorism risk to those countries. A realist would not put the security of its state at risk of a foreign …show more content…
Bandwagoning, he says, is in sharp contrast with the balance of power behavior. He claims that we see bandwagoning due to the fact that “everyone wants someone to win” (Waltz p. 126). Taking into consideration security concerns again, states often find that they can assure themselves survival if they “join the weaker of two coalitions” because “power is a means and not an end” (Waltz p. 126). Thus, in applying this to the crisis, realists see value in anarchy and that Syria, a weaker state, will find the structural change to align with stronger states with more power to preserve their autonomy. While anarchy does not necessarily mean violence but realists see the idea of anarchy has one where Syria will, over time, find the capacity and/or resources to resolve its elf and that any turmoil they undergo is the process to achieving maximum autonomy and joining stronger