Realists are pessimistic about human nature which they consider to be self- seeking and motivated by power, whereas liberals are more optimistic as they believe people can act in a selfless fashion. This is significant because conflict is considered inevitable between selfish states reflecting human nature according to realists, but liberals are more optimistic about peace, security and order based on a positive view of human nature. Realists believe that the global system is largely anarchical, whereas liberals believe in complex interdependence in a rules-based system. The importance of this difference is that anarchy implies a lack of order in the state system which implies a greater risk of conflict and reduced security, whereas complex interdependence implies a reduced likelihood of conflict with a greater opportunity for order and security with resultant peace, harmony and cooperation. Realists believe that international organisations will not secure peace, whereas liberals are far more supportive of these structures with the United Nations seen as a key development in bringing stability. This is a significant difference because international organisations such as the United Nations may be able to continue to develop and to ensure a reduced likelihood of conflict with security and order for all. Realists believe that states seek to maximise security through military strength and hard power, whilst liberals believe in the value of soft power. This is significant because a build-up in military strength and focus on hard power is likely to lead to the security dilemma and arms race with increased likelihood of conflict. Unlike realists, liberals view the nature of the government of states as important in deciding the likelihood of conflict, order and security. There is evidence that democracy is spreading, and this is important because of the liberal democratic peace thesis which implies that the spread of democracies will reduce the likelihood of conflict as well as increase order and security in the global system. Conservatism – Hobbes and the consequences of this for the state system and for likelihood of cooperation, his negative view of human nature and the dangers to civil society and likelihood of conflict. Socialism – greater optimism on human nature linked to the natural relationship among humans being cooperation and work for the common good (Marx) which makes the idea of a global society order and cooperation likely. Liberalism – Emphasis on the benefits of mutual cooperation and order and avoidance of war from both an economic and practical position (Locke).