12554. REALIST THEORY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. Knowledgeable summary of this fundamental school of political science though and its relevance to the 1990's. Historical and recent exponents of realism, four general principles of realism explained. That the behavior of states is the proper subject of the science of international relations and the assumption of liberty of sovereign states are found to be strongly-grounded postulates, the theory that international relations is about the exercise of power is also supported, but the idea that states cannot be judged by ordinary morality is found understandable but questionable, and these ideas are as valid in the 1990's as ever. 8p., 8 notes in text, 1b.