The United States as a Threat to Peace and Stability in International Relationship - Essay Example

Topic: THE UNITED STATES AS A THREAT TO PEACE AND STABILITY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIP (Name) (Grade/Course) (Institution) (Tutor's Name) 12th April 2008 New development in the United States with the other countries is a major change which has occurred in succession in the world since the start of the 1970's, for instance, the development of United states, China and soviet relations, unrest and reforms of the International monetary system, the middle east war in the oil crisis, intensification of various difficulties in the international economy and the changes in the Indochina situation has brought in the major issues of peace and stability in the international relation. It has not been clear whether the rarity of conflict between democracies is caused by some aspects of being democratic or it being independent state. The empirical generalization that democracies almost never go to war with each other and infrequently even engage in militarized disputes with each other is the major issue to look at. The political system type, distance, wealth, economics growth, alliances and political stability is the major issues where the United States focuses at. Although most of the other variables do have an impact on the international relations, political system has the greatest effects on relations. United States engage in militarized disputes with most of other countries less than would be expected. In 1975, the year in which countries around the world gradually emerged from the unrest caused by series of changes, readjustments in various aspects of international relations occurred. This aspects are;- Diversity and complexity of world politics The future of the Middle East relies on its politics. The role played by the United States in Iran and its management of the war in Iraq, conflicts across the Gaza and Lebanon depends on the peace and stability in these countries. The invasion of United States into Iraq led to civil strife and the change of world economy. The theme “Putting diversity to work” during the world economic forum in the middle East structured around three sub themes; industries of the future, peace, stability and international relations society change. The discussion was about the future economy of the middle East as the oil reserves diminishes with diversification as the key to economic survival, the issue of renewed violence in the Palestinian territories and the blood shed in Iraq was also discussed. The outbreak of war between the East and West has become steadily more difficult to deal with and despite many years of the cold war, direct-armed conflict between the East and the United States have adopted the policy of easing tension. This has promoted the trend toward diversification. The United States and its bilateral relations remains predominant in world politics today, however because of interdependence in the world, the interest of various countries are so thoroughly intertwined. International relations have become further complicated because of increase in the relative importance of international economic problems, the economic problems tend to become political issues with the intensification of interdependence among nations. The talks between United States and other countries about the move to co-ordinate views within groups of countries in the east and south, the conference of the heads of state and the conference on security and co-operation in Europe and the strategic arms limitation talks between united states and the soviet union, dialog between the north the south and united nations, the existence of various collective security agreements and sponsored united nations conferences addressing issues of raw materials, environment, food, population and the habitat has risen tension and friction in international relations because one group can act stubbornly because of its self- interests and in disregard of the existing state of affairs. A more complicated network of international relation can occur as a result of the growing tendency for nations to pursue national interest by going beyond the framework of the groups to which they traditionally belong. This is mostly seen in the United States which tries to go beyond the boundaries set by the country's law. These will lead therefore to instability. Therefore a more flexible attitude and a broad viewpoint than ever before are needed in external relations to maintain international stability and peace. Nuclear Technology Nuclear technology advancement has played a big role in the current international relations. Nuclear weapon delivery and development has brought fundamental changes to the concept of security. All countries today are uncertain of their security; many countries have put measures to ensure that there is enough security to its people and property. Looking at the United States, it has intensified security to ensure no further attacks by terrorist. The US has the capability to carry out large scale retaliation and to destroy the enemy. This makes it difficult for nuclear war or a conventional war to break between the United States and the Soviet Union or between the east and the west including allies of the respective super powers. Nuclear difference is a fundamental factor in preventing the outbreak of direct-armed conflict between the East and the United States and maintaining a balance between the two sides. The danger in unilateral build up of nuclear weapons destabilizes the balance resulting from mutual capability and this may lead to war at the end. Advances in nuclear technology leads to nuclear proliferation. Due to science and technology, many countries increasingly possess the nuclear weapons. The need to secure sources of energy and rise of nationalism in various countries is also contributing factors. The peace and stability of international relation depends on this technology, should a large number of countries come to possess nuclear weapons then international relation will become unstable thereby leading to serious threat to the peace and stability of the world. The United States have taken measures in these circumstances to control these weapons without even consulting the international relation bodies. The nuclear control in terms of military is becoming greater than ever. They carry out on nuclear control; particularly how to promote nuclear disarmament Thus international community must address this problem. From these points, nuclear difference is not sufficient reason for the armed forces from the United States to have a solution. Increasing importance of North – South relations Efforts made by the southern countries to develop comes from the developed countries, they seek aid to expand their trade. The economic gap between the North and South brings in the instability between these countries. The souths are dissatisfied and demands for drastic changes in the international economic order in view of redistribution of wealth and income. They believe that existing international economic system has itself led to the widened gap. The north on the other hand refuses such demand. Thus the economic and political aspects of the north-south relations have become deeply intertwined as the north sees that the entire problem that were treated as purely economic issue in the past have now become political issues and political questions have been brought into discussion at international conference on economic issues. North – South relations contains an aspect of east and west relations as well. Countries in south are taking an independent political stand without belonging politically either to the east or the west. The doctrine of non- alignment is an expression of such a trend. Member of the conference of non-aligned nations are making it common basis for political action to pursue a third road which is in principle neither the one pursued by the east nor the United States, such moves are linked with the international economic demand of the countries in the south and they are expected to assume relatively greater importance in international politics. The countries in the south are faced with many political, economic and social difficulties and the relations among these countries are quite fluid in many aspects. The differences in developing countries due to the disparity in economic level, for example, because of oil crisis are assuming increased magnitude. Due to disparity in economic levels, most developing countries are pursuing their own interest; this makes the relationship between them hostile. The United States has taken advantage of this situation by maintaining security in these developing areas which is indispensable to the peace and stability. In order to prevent or sneak peaceful solutions to the conflicts, international efforts appropriate to individual countries and areas concerned are necessary and not the United States. Transformation of the world economy The growth and expansion of the world economy continued after World War II, free and open embodied in the IMF – GATT system operated. This process increased the economy strength of Western Europe and Japan, and the Concomitant relative decline of the economic position of the United States. This widened differences in economic power not only among the developed countries but also between the north and the south. The policy adopted by the United States in August 1971 and the 1973 oil crisis jolted the world monetary and trade. This increased the price on crude oil, inflation, recession and imbalance in international payments. Rapid increase in the revenues of oil producing countries, imbalances in distribution of financial resources and change of existing orders in developing countries brought about instability and also declined peace. Efforts toward stabilizing East- West relations Centering on the United States, the Eastern and western blocs have initiated moves to begin improving their mutual relationship since the mid 1960's. They have negotiated with a view to avoid military confrontation and outbreak of war. The treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the USSR, United States – China relationship, Japan-China relations has been a factor in the stabilization of the region. The move in East – West relations centering on the United States is the relaxation of tension, however more concern about the Soviet Union which continues its military build up while following a policy of easing tension has made the United States dissatisfied with this attitudes of Soviet Union. Despite of this process of relaxing tensions, there remains conflict and disputes. The international economic and the domestic political situations of the countries concerned suffer deterioration a lot from these issues. Differences in ideology and social system between the East and United States will persist. Efforts are therefore required to reduce the factors promoting friction between these countries and to dialog, maintain and strengthen those various frameworks which prevent conflicts from arising between the East and the United States. References Donald, K. and Frederick, W. (2000).While America Sleeps: Self-Delusion, Military Weakness, and the Threat, (London, St. Martin's Press) Mohammed E. (2003). Ethnic Groups and U.S. Foreign Policy, (Newcastle, Greenwood Publishing Group) Steven L. (1996). War or Peace? (New York, NYU Press) US seen as a bigger threat to peace than Iran, 14 Jun 2006, Available from www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jun/15/usa.iran (Retrieved April 11, 2008) Read More