Debates on human nature have profoundly shaped theories of peace and conflict, as assumptions about what humans are fundamentally like influence explanations of violence, cooperation, and the possibilities of peace. Broadly, contrasting views can be grouped into pessimistic, optimistic, and more complex or contextual perspectives, each offering different implications for understanding conflict and peacebuilding. Pessimistic views portray human beings as inherently selfish, aggressive, or power-seeking. Classical realism, drawing on thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, argues that humans are driven by fear, desire, and the instinct for self-preservation. In a condition without strong authority, individuals compete violently for resources and security, leading to a “war of all against all.” From this perspective, conflict is natural and inevitable, while peace is fragile and maintained only through coercive power, strong institutions, or deterrence. In peace and conflict studies, this view underpins realist approaches that emphasize balance of power, military strength, and control mechanisms to