What are the assumptions of realism and why has it been so influential in the studies of International relations?

Originating from the German word 'Realpolitik' , realism is often used as a term which fits a more realistic and unpretentious political theory, as opposed to an unrealistic ideological theory. It is this theory which has been one of the leading and most prominent ways of thinking in terms of international relations in modern times, with its stark view of nation states and people appealing greatly to the Western leading political institutions, as recently it has …

…Philosophy, Political Realism http://www.iep.utm.edu/p/polreal.htm, 2005 Nardin, Terry & Mapel, David R. - Traditions of International Ethics Cambridge Studies in International Relations, First Edition, Cambridge, 1996. Sutch, Peter - Ethics, Justice and International Relations Routledge Press, London & New York, 2001. Wikipedia - Realism in International Relations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realism_in_international_relations, 3 December 2005 Wootton, David - Niccolo Machiavelli http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavelli#Machiavellianism 3 Dec 2005