This thesis takes on the responsibility of assessing the political implications of pandemics. The thesis reasserts the dominance of Morgenthau\u27s classical realism within the field of international relations. The utility of Morgenthau\u27s work exists within his particular framework of national power. This thesis seeks to assess the veracity of Hans Morgenthau\u27s 20th century classical realism, in the 21st century international environment, and investigates the threat posed to nation states by infectious disease; and in particular the widespread and lethal pandemic