MIGRANT CRISIS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF REALISM THEORY

RADOJEVIĆ Slobodan M. (Assistant Professor, Military academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia), slobodan.radojevic@va.mod.gov.rs

The Mediterranean migrant crisis, fueled by conflict, poverty and political instability in countries of origin, positions the Mediterranean as the deadliest sea in the world. Thousands risk perilous sea crossings, while transit and destination countries struggle with humanitarian relief and asylum challenges. The European Union initially responded to the crisis by applying the principles of unity and liberalism. This paper deploys political realism as a theoretical lens to analyze the crisis, demonstrating how state sovereignty, national interests, and security concerns dominate policy responses – often at the expense of humanitarian principles. The main concepts employed in the analysis include the state as the primary and most significant actor in international relations, sovereignty as the state’s right to control its borders, national interest as the central motive driving state policy, and security as the paramount priority of states within an anarchic international system. The concepts of anarchy and self-help describe the absence of a superior international authority and the necessity for states to independently ensure their own security. Within the context of the migrant crisis, migration is often perceived as a threat to national security and social stability, while humanitarian concerns are frequently relegated to a secondary position. Research concludes that although the European Union still has mechanisms for the demonstration of cohesion and comprehensive actions, we might expect further strengthening of a realistic approach.

Keywords: Realism; migrant crisis; Mediterranean; European Union.