Kenneth Waltz's neorealism theory holds an important position in the field of international relations, but it suffers from insufficient explanatory power, such as the failure to effectively explain the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the rise of emerging countries. The academic criticism of its theoretical flaws mostly stays at the technical level and has not surpassed the "American paradigm". Waltz and his followers adhere to theoretical fundamentalism, believing that neorealism is a macro theory that explains universal laws. China's international relations theory research is influenced by the West, making it difficult to deconstruct Western knowledge and discourse hegemony. The construction of the international relations theory of the Chinese school requires the absorption and reference of reasonable elements from Western theories, while criticizing their irrationality. Theoretical criticism is the only way for theoretical development and progress. This article criticizes the philosophical foundation of the new realism theory from the perspective of Marxist historical materialism, reveals its non scientificity, and provides inspiration for constructing the international relations theory of the Chinese school.

1、 The Existing Critique of the Defects in Neo realism Theory

An in-depth analysis was conducted on the criticisms faced by the new realism theory in the field of international relations, pointing out that these criticisms mainly start from a technical perspective and aim to remedy and improve the theory. At the same time, a few criticisms also pointed out its non scientific nature and philosophical worldview errors. The critical content covers aspects such as conceptual definition, theoretical assumptions, theoretical construction methods, structural analysis methods, theoretical value orientation, and philosophical foundations. Scholars believe that neorealism ignores the values, norms, principles, and other factors behind state behavior, and its theoretical construction methods have problems, such as excessive reliance on outdated scientific views and economic methods. In addition, the structuralist approach of neorealism has been criticized for alienating analytical methods into ontology and lacking analysis of specific socio-economic foundations. The value orientation of theory has also been questioned, and it is believed to serve vested interests and goals that are politicized and ideologized. Finally, neorealism has been criticized for rejecting practice and denying human subjectivity, and its worldview and methodology are believed to overlook the role of humans as creators of society and history.

2、 The Errors in the Philosophical Foundations of Neo realism Theory

The errors in the philosophical foundation of neorealism theory are mainly reflected in six aspects: the mechanistic materialist worldview, abstract epistemology, metaphysical methodology, the material world detached from practice, the limitations of positivism, and the alienation of structural analysis methods.

3、 Conclusion

The importance of the philosophical foundation of social science theory to its scientificity was emphasized, and it was pointed out that the shortcomings of the new realism theory stem from its erroneous philosophical foundation, namely mechanical materialism. The new realism theory attempts to imitate the research methods of natural sciences, but ignores the differences between social sciences and natural sciences, resulting in inherent defects in the theoretical system. In addition, under the influence of logical positivism, neorealism pursues rule-based explanations and ignores the existing world and its operating mechanisms behind empirical phenomena. Faced with the new reality of international relations, it is necessary to construct new theories. The international relations theory of the Chinese school should be based on Marxist philosophy and traditional Chinese philosophy, combined with Chinese practice and cultural background, to enhance the discourse power and influence of Chinese international relations theory.