Contending Conceptualizations of the State 139
general international relations theories discussed in Chapters 3 and 4. For two of these
theoretical perspectives, the state is paramount.
the realist view of the state
Realists generally hold a statist, or state- centric, view. They believe that the state is an
autonomous actor constrained only by the structural anarchy of the international
LEBANON
SYRIA
Damascus
Beirut
Amman
Jericho
Occupied by Israel
(June 1967)
Israeli settlements
Israeli settlement blocks
Jerusalem
Te l Aviv
Gaza
JORDAN
ISRAEL
GAZA
STRIP
Mediterranean
Sea
Sea of
Galilee
J o r d a n R i v e r
Palestinian autonomy
(established May 1994)
WEST
BANK
GOLAN
HEIGHTS
Hebron
Dead
Sea
Central Middle Eastern Region, 2016