To what extent does states can to cooperates from realists perspective - Essay Example

In the modern world, a bunch of subjects compete for attention as a result of the proliferation of issues that every international relations theory seeks to acknowledge (Jan, 2008, p 473; Brown, 1998, p 26). There are three prominent theories that endeavor to explain international relations and cooperation. These are the realism theory, constructivism theory and the liberal theory. This discussion seeks to explore the extent in which countries can cooperate from a realist’s perspective. Cooperation of most states arises in a realist manner where countries unite at the face of adversity.

When countries perceive an increasing threat that may interfere with their interests, they collaborate momentarily. For instance, some of the Gulf States joined hands with Saudi Arabia at the looming threat of conflict between Iraq and Iran. As a GCC member state, Saudi Arabia was concerned that some small states may collaborate with either Iran or Iraq, both of which are its adversaries. Saudi Arabia reached for the smaller Gulf States to unite momentary to counter the regional hegemony wars involving Iraq and Iran.

Further, cooperation between member states happens when the six states making up the GCC perceive a common interest in the cooperation. Cooperation of the member states happens mostly on economic basis. It is for that reason that there exists fluid cooperation on other aspects affecting individual states. Cooperation in a realist world happens when states have great interest in two principal areas; security and economics. What is realism? Realism theory of international relations views world politics as being advanced by competing self interests.

Proponents of realism theory observe that the tensions and relations between countries is a battle of supremacy in which every country wants to preserve and enhance its military security and economic welfare at the expense of other nations. Unlike the liberal theory, that views international relations as a win-win situation, realist theory perceives international relations as a zero-sum game. This implies that gains in one nation come at the cost of others (Gismondi, 2008). Conventional realism stemmed from the failure to maintain peace after world war one.

Realist theory is linked with terms such as realpolitik, geopolitics and balance of power. Realism theory presents grim view of global relations as being in a unending state of conflict and war. Power, economic and material possessions, capabilities and security motivate and guide state more than humanity and altruism values. Modern realism Modern realism started as a reaction to the breakdown of the international order of the post world war one in 1930s. The collapse of great power cooperation after the Second World War helped form realism as the dominant approach to the premise and application of global politics in the United States.

During the cold war, endeavors to replace realism from its prevailing position were continuously disillusioned by the unending salience of the soviet-America antagonism. The cold war antagonism, however, ended in early 1990s after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, leaving United States as the key superpower. However, china is emerging as a superpower, countering the United States unipolar moment. Basic tenets of realism theo