The Historical Development of the Realist Perspective as a Political Theory and Why It Is Dominant - Essay Example

? The Historical Development of the Realist Perspective as a Political Theory and Why it is Dominant Introduction Different political theories evolveas history progresses. Each one of them may be distinct, but they are usually not separate especially in terms of framework and historical contexts. Political theories, particularly in relation to international relations are always a by-product of the desire to understand fully a certain social reality in a particular time. Oftentimes, political theories are born out of conflict and the motivation to unearth solutions and, in terms of international relations, maybe reconciliation. Nevertheless, there are political theories that naturally whither away because of trivial foundation, formulation or simply not supported by strong evidence. On the other hand, there are political theories that were able to withstand time and develop itself in the course of history. These theories were proven and tested as accurate and viable and in the process were enriched by different theoreticians and philosophers, thus subsequently branched out and influenced vast ideologies, policies and programs. Among these theories include the realist perspective, liberalism and perhaps the newest inclusion is the world- systems analysis. This paper will lay out the basic principle of these political theories in comparison to each other. However, this document will principally establish the dominance of the concept of political realism in the process of discussing its historical development. This will also present the significant aspects of political realism that influence the different field of political science and world history. Three Major Political Perspectives The liberal perspective Liberalism is a political theory that banks on the significance of equal rights and liberty. Liberal ideology popularized the concepts of constitutionalism, right to suffrage, and human rights. It was born out from the repressive rules of the monarchy and the Divine Right of the Kings. Liberalism used the concept of natural rights and the social contract to confront authoritarianism and absolutism. Liberalists stand by the rule of law and the responsibility of the leaders to subject themselves to the majority of the people and the assertion of the fundamental rights to life, liberty and property of every individual for the full emancipation of humanity. The world-analysis systems perspective The world-analysis system asserts that the capitalist-world economy is a particular historical system. This theory believes that the best possible means to ascertain the mode of function of the capitalist-world economy is to look at the profound historical evolution of the said system (Wallerstein, World-Systems Analysis An Introduction). The development of the capitalist-world economy in Europe was explained by the world system analysis theory by looking at the continent in tandem with the incorporation of regions through power and colonization and the conclusion in an international division of labor and an interstate system was derived (Wallerstein, Unthinking Social Science, Second Edition). The world-analysis system is a knowledge movement that search to surpass the structures of knowledge from the 19th century. The realist perspective Understanding and grasping the objective laws governing the society in the only way that it can be improve. This is what political realism asserts. Realism considers the objectivity of the laws in the process that in politics, truth and opinion is being distinguished, and truth can only be ascertained through supporting evidence and clarified by reason. One-sided judgment must be eliminated from the facts so that the society can clearly drive out the laws objectively and rationally. For the realists, discovering truth from the facts by providing meaning through reason is what theory is all about. For example, realism presumes that a foreign policy’s character can only be distinguished through exhaustive examination of the combined effort of the performed political acts and the subsequent effect of these acts. Going through the fact of the acts and seeking the truth from the consequence of the acts. Development and different aspects of realism The roots of the theory of realism can be traced from the classical political theories of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Niccolo Machiavelli and Thucydides, who was also called as the father of political realism. Political realism is a broad concept. Realism assumes that nation-states are inherently unilateral, geographically-based actors in an anarchic international system. It assumes that they are only capable of regulating interactions between states because there is no authoritative world government that exists. It also asserts that sovereign states are the main movers of international affairs thus; states are always in conflict with one another. Ergo, a state in pursuit of self-interest and protecting its security for sovereignty and survival act as a rational autonomous actor. It is in this light that realism holds that it proceeds to be of natural occurrence that the state would attempt to accumulate resources and that their relations towards other states are always determined by their relative strength and power dictated by military and economic stature (Bruce Russet). A relatively new phenomenon on the realist perspective is the neo-realism. This is the realist approach in the study of the international political economy. Throughout the history of realism, this has become a new phenomenon, as it now integrates the economic aspects in the development of the world politics (Bruce Russet). In the realm of the global economic affairs, the realist perspective provides due significance to the role of the state in the same manner that the state also engages dominantly in the political affairs of the world. Thus, in the core of the realist theory, the state is always in the position to involve itself in the global market economy in pursuit of national interests (Kegley). This is apparent in the different world trade conventions, organizations and the like that emerge today. In line with this, realists are convinced that non-state actors alone have very limited space in the global-political–economic relations because they believe that the state is the sole guarantor of economic powers. Analysis and Comparison The difference between political realism and other political theories is vast and profound. For instance, in terms of the foreign economic policy, a realist suggest that it is only designed to maximize and consolidate a state’s wealth and power in its quest for world hegemony thus it is always cautious in policies and agreements that may undermine its position. Basically, for the realist, states engage in the global economic affairs only to fully maximize its gains. The liberals, on the other hand, perceive that the state has the capacity to amass such high position in the arena of international political economy. The liberals assert that state engage in the global economic affairs for their absolute gain. They impress upon the fact that in the realm of global economy, international organizations and multinational corporations also play a significant role that states can not stand alone. As the liberals tend to think from the sphere of orthodoxy of moral principles and the world-system analysis on the basis of world-systems as basic unit of society, political realism reflects on the interest of defined power of the nation and the state. Other school of thoughts also presents existence and significance of other aspect aside from those of political ones; political realism does not subordinate these other standards to those other than politics (Morgenthau). Conclusion Political realism is basically based upon a pluralistic conception of human nature. It is from this basic recognition of the different features of human existence that political realism also derives its understanding of dealing it international relations in its own terms. In the process of emancipation from other standards of thought, and the development of one appropriate to its subject matter that political realism intends to contributes. Bibliography Bruce Russet, Harvey Starr and David Kinsella. World Politics a Menu for Choice Ninth Edition. Wadsworth: Boston, 2010. Kegley, Jr. Charles J. Worlde Politics Trend and Transformation. Belmont: Cengage Learning, 2008. Melants, Eric H. The Origins of Capitalism and the Rise of the West. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2007. Morgenthau, Hans J. Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Poer and Peace. New Rork: Alfred A. Knopf, 1978. Wallerstein, Immanuel. Unthinking Social Science, Second Edition. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2001. —. World-Systems Analysis An Introduction. USA: Duke University Press, 2004. Read More