one of walker's biggest contributions to international relations discourse is his analysis of theories. walker rejects the dichotomy between theory and practice, where epistemology is favoured over ontology. practice is "theory-laden", inseparable, and a different theoretical approach will reveal different practical outcomes. it is no small wonder that walker describes realism and its tenancies (often afflicted by a negative perception of mankind) in a negative light:"as it informs a rather large and influential literature on geopolitics and military affairs, realism has often degenerated into little more than an antipolitical apology for cynicism and physical force." for walker, the use of such a theory leads to increasingly negative and cynical practice.