This paper sought to demonstrate the difficulties inherent in trying to label Waltz’s and Morgenthau’s theories with predefined terms like ‘classical’ vs. ‘neorealism’. Although realism has a shared core, its classification according to various labels is of little use and in some cases could lead to misunderstanding of the arguments. Reducing theories to a simplistic label bypasses much depth and complexity produces a simplistic and clinical picture of scholarship. Unfortunately though, this tendency is relatively widespread in IR, with researchers who may have profound disagreements on key aspects of international politics being arbitrarily placed together in a theoretical framework they may not advocate. Booth (2008, pp.510-526) recently suggested a superior method for considering contributions to IR, namely a move from the labelling of thinkers to the labelling of their ideas. Not only would this do more justice to contributions, but would also improve the study of international politics.