President Bush and His Realistic Approach Behind Iraq War - Term Paper Example

President Bush and his realistic approach behind Iraq war A realistic theory has an underlying principle of exercising and demonstration of power not only for ruling a society but also to develop relationships with the other nations of the world. Rather the relations between the countries on the world stage are not developed on the basis of equality; these are based on the relative power a state can exercise. The state is considered as a separate rational entity which is supposed to operate in the insecurity and gung ho environment. The states politics based on the principles of realism are committed to the interest of the state if it is the matter of international relations and never hesitate to use force in achieving status of power. It is the belief of realistic politics that the acquiring power is the ultimate interest of realistic states. At an international stage every state is assumed to have independence and act for the motive of power. Every state aims to expand its territory and want to gain power on the world stage by the use of force. Along with this, the security is also the major concern of a realistic state. The power is used to defend one’s own territory and to avoid undue invasion. The greater is the covered area of the state and larger is its population; the higher will be the chances for it to offend other states and acquire more resources. The history of religions is also the evidence for the fact that it was the matter of believers’ interest to use power for acquiring world resources. It was considered as divine to exercise power on the others and commit atrocities. For the pursuit of security, a state should be aware of the policies and intentions of other states in the world. In short the realistic perspective advocates for the fact that human nature is conflicting, selfish and competitive, so the principles of realism are the best for mankind to regulate social and political life. Due to prerequisite of power use in realism, the armed forces and strategic planning are the terms that get significant consideration. As the world progressed by globalization and industrialization, the nations moved away from the realistic principles. Still the traditional and conservative politicians have realistic political approaches but very few of the world nations have a foreign policy based on purely realistic principles. During the pre-Bush period of rule, America had a liberal political approach and never favored direct intervention in any of country’s domestic issues. The liberal school of thoughts is based on the economic progress and does not favor the use of power against the countries of the world. The ultimate goal of liberal states is the economic progress which can only take place if the world is not at war and all countries interact and negotiate for the economic gains. Since World War II somehow, and after United States of America became world’s sole super power, it was working for the development and progress of developing nations through financial, educational and other means. United States played a vital role in UNO (United Nation’s Organization) to make the goal of poverty reduction in the African countries. It established relationships with all the nations of world on the basis of equality and cooperation. The liberal foreign policy was adopted by USA that allowed it to progress economically. The balance of power situation only arrives when two competing powers have equal offence and defense powers. The example can be taken of South Asian countries, Pakistan and India which continuously strive to become equal on the power scale. When India became a nuclear power, the power balance in the region tilted towards the Indian state. To overcome this imbalance, Pakistan went for nuclear explosions forgetting the socio-economic development the state needed as India’s nuclear power could be a threat to Pakistan’s security. When a group starts to acquire strength by increasing the number of people in the group along with the acquisition of influence, it starts urging to rule and dominate others. Similar was the case with Al-Qaida agents who after gaining power and capacity of war attempted to injure the powerful United States. After the incident of 9/11, the USA had to change its foreign policy as it became the matter of self protection and survival of United States. Since it was the rule of President Bush, a republican leader with realistic political views, the international policy of USA was then shifted to a realistic one. President Bush was supported by his nation in whatever steps he took to eradicate terrorists from the face of earth. His approach was the most appropriate to protect the world super power. In spite all his efforts to protect the world from terrorism, his war policy led to a political freefall within the United States. According to Peter Baker (The Washington Post), a reporter of Washington post reported that President Bush admitted the ineffectiveness of the war in Iraq by saying that: “This work has been especially difficult in Iraq…. More than we expected. Reconstruction efforts and training the Iraqi security forces started more slowly than we hoped. We continue to see violence and suffering, caused by an enemy that is determined and brutal, unconstrained by conscience and the rule of war” – President Bush (The Washington Post). The critiques of President Bush argue that the war has not resulted in any kind of gain for United States rather it has damaged US economy and generated unemployment alongside. On an international level Iraq war has munched many lives of Americans as well as of the innocent people in Iraq. Previously United States was confronting Sunni terrorist forces. But due to Iraq war, Shea Muslim community has now emerged as a new power and enemy. Such outcomes question the strategic validity of the Iraq war decision but this war was indispensible. If USA had not taken the decision of war, Iraq could never be freed from dictatorship and the people of United States would perhaps be apprehensive of evil terrorist attacks like 9/11. To protect United States in future, President Bush attempted to eliminate all possible dangers for the United States by adopting realistic political approach. Works Cited Baker, Peter. “Bush Brings More Realistic View of War to Forefront”. The Washington Post. 19 Dec. 2005. 1 Oct. 2009. Read More