In the framework of international relations, realism posits that the international system is anarchical, meaning there is no overarching authority above sovereign states. In this self-help system, states are the primary actors, rational, and primarily driven by the pursuit of power and security. To ensure their survival in such a world, realists prescribe several key strategies for states:

1. Self-Help: This is the foundational principle. Since no higher authority can guarantee a state's security, each state must rely on its own capabilities and resources for survival. This means building and maintaining a strong military, a robust economy, and a stable political system.

2. Power Maximization or Balancing: States must constantly strive to increase their power relative to others, or at least maintain a balance of power. This can be achieved through:

   • Internal Balancing: Developing one's own military and economic capabilities (e.g., increasing defense spending, investing in technology, fostering economic growth).
   • External Balancing: Forming alliances with other states to counter the power of a potential aggressor. However, realists view alliances as temporary arrangements based on shared interests, subject to change if interests diverge.

3. Prioritization of National Interest: States should always act in their own national interest, defined primarily in terms of power and security. Moral considerations, ideology, or international law are secondary and often serve as tools to advance national interests rather than guiding principles.

4. Security Dilemma Awareness: Realists acknowledge the security dilemma, where actions taken by one state to increase its security (e.g., building up its military) can be perceived as threatening by other states, leading them to increase their own security, potentially resulting in an arms race or conflict. States must navigate this dilemma carefully, often through deterrence.

5. Deterrence: Maintaining a credible military capability to deter potential aggressors is crucial. This involves having sufficient power and the demonstrated will to use it if necessary, making the cost of attacking too high for any potential adversary.

6. Skepticism Towards International Institutions: Realists view international organizations (like the UN or WTO) not as independent actors that can enforce order, but as reflections of the distribution of power among states. They are seen as instruments through which powerful states pursue their interests, and their effectiveness is limited by the willingness of powerful states to cooperate.

7. Prudence and Caution: States should avoid idealistic foreign policies, moral crusades, or interventions that do not directly serve their security interests. A pragmatic and cautious approach to foreign policy is preferred.

In essence, the realist prescription for state survival in an anarchical world is a relentless focus on power, self-reliance, and strategic maneuvering to ensure one's own security in a competitive and potentially dangerous environment. While cooperation can occur, it is always viewed through the lens of self-interest and the pursuit of relative gains.