INTRODUCTION The theoretical perspective most historically rooted in the theory of international relations is that of classical realism. Surprisingly, however, classical realism was not sensationalized in the international relations arena until World War II, despite its existence in fifth-century Athens. Many great philosophers such as Thucydides, Machiavelli and Hobbes developed the foundations of classical realism and in 1948 Hans J. Morgenthau made the great leap in contemporaryizing the theory of classical realism with his six principles of political realism, the foundations that place the state as central power in the IR system. Just three decades later, the world developed so rapidly that theorists such as Kenneth Waltz continued to address a new model of modern or “structural” realism in his work Theory in International Politics. Waltz sees the main characteristics of international relations through his compositional approach which emphasizes the structure of the system of international relations as a force of power on the state rather than vice versa, Waltz takes a closer look at the arena of international relations from an external approach compared to that adopted by traditional or classical realists a deeper analysis of the dangers of both shows that having only one eye open means that they were missing out on a multitude of dangers and assistance from each style of thinking. This article will attempt to address such shortcomings, or advantages, that there may be in structural post-realism. CLASSICAL REALISM Classical realism is “concerned with questions of order, justice, and change at the national, regional, and international levels.” (Lebow, 2010) Power is at the heart of the foundation of classical realism and the reason for this is because class...... middle of paper ......references: Doyle, Michael W. and G. John Ikenberry , eds. (1997) New thinking in international relations theory. Boulder, CO: Westview Pres. Dunne, T., Kurki, M., Smith, S. (2010). Classical realism. In international relations theories: discipline and diversity. Lebow, R.L.; New York: Oxford.Dunne, T., Kurki, M., Smith, S. (2010). Classical realism. In international relations theories: discipline and diversity. Mearsheimer, J.J.; New York: Oxford.Kaufman, D., Parker, J., Howell P., Doty, G., (2004). Six principles of political realism. In understanding international relations: The value of alternative lenses. Morgenthau, H.J.; New York: McGraw-Hill.Kaufman, D., Parker, J., Howell P., Doty, G., (2004). Six principles of political realism. In understanding international relations: The value of alternative lenses. Waltz, K.N.; New York: McGraw-Hill.