Neorealism

Neorealism is a term used to describe movements in both arts, particularly motion pictures, and in international relations theory. In cinema, Italian neorealism arose in the wake of World War II as a stylistic and thematic departure from conventional, studio-based filmmaking. In international relations, neorealism (or structural realism) presents a framework that emphasizes the influence of the international system’s structure on state behavior.

Italian neorealism began in the mid-1940s and persisted into the early 1950s. It is defined by on-location shooting, the use of non-professional actors, and a focus on ordinary people—especially the poor and working class—while addressing social issues and the moral questions raised by war and reconstruction. The movement sought a documentary-like realism and eschewed sentimental melodrama. Central figures include Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Luchino Visconti. Notable films include Rome, Open City (1945), Bicycle Thieves (1948), and Umberto D. (1952). The approach influenced subsequent European cinema and reflected Italy’s economic and social upheavals during reconstruction.

In international relations, neorealism references a structural theory that shifts emphasis from human nature to the architecture of the international system. Emerging in the 1970s and 1980s, it posits that anarchy and the distribution of power shape state behavior more than internal politics or moral considerations. Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics is a foundational text, with variants such as defensive realism and offensive realism (e.g., John Mearsheimer). The theory forecasts balancing, competition among states, and the importance of polarity in shaping outcomes; it is more skeptical about sustained cooperation.

Critics argue neorealism underplays domestic politics, institutions, and non-state actors, and it has faced challenges from liberal and constructivist scholars. The term remains in use in both cinema studies and IR, though within distinct literatures.