International Security and the State - Essay Example

International security and the state Introduction The Cold War era was characterised by political tension, economic competition and military tension between the two blocks namely, the Western world and the Communist world1. Despite the fact that the two blocks did not engage in any form of combat with each other, conflict was expressed in form of propaganda, espionage, technological and economic competition and military coalitions among many other strategies. The aftermath of the Cold War and the fall of the two block system in 1991 significantly affected the world2. A good number of political commentators argue that the end of Cold War and the fall of the two block system epitomised an opportunity to develop a more balanced and stable world order. This essay seeks to critically evaluate the extent to which the sentiments conveyed by these political commentators have proved to be correct and incorrect. The aftermath of the Cold War The Cold War had significant impacts on the American culture and society. Similar to the sentiments of most political commentators that the end of the Cold War led provided an opportunity to realise a more balanced and stable world order, Haynes & Klehr (2000), illustrate that the end of the Cold War provided a window for order and stability. Haynes & Klehr (2000), note that following the Cold War, America shift their focus from espionage and armament related activities and started to focus more on its domestic affairs. During this time, the American government mainly focused on the reintegration of the American society and the adjustment of its economy to a more peacetime economy3. Moreover after the Cold War Russia significantly cut back on its military spending this in turn drenched its military sector. The country also began to gradually embrace capitalist economic reforms. In Eastern Europe, the end of the Cold War and the fall of the two blocks brought about an increase in liberal democracies and economic growth4. Following the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the emancipation of countries in Eastern Europe and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there was a widespread view around the world that there would be long-lasting universal peace, balance and order. A good number of political commentators believed that the use of weapons of mass destruction during war would stop. Nevertheless, this has not been entirely true. The Iraq War in 2003 proves that contrary the views of many political commentators the end of the Cold War did not necessarily present and opportunity for balanced and stable world order. In 2003, the US military under the governance of George Bush invaded Iraq. The invasion was carried out mainly because the US and the UK government believed that Iraq was creating and using weapons of mass destruction that threatened world security5. This invasion shows that the end of the Cold War and the fall of the two blocks did not necessarily provide an opportunity for a more stable and balanced world order. The belief that the triumph of the Western block in the Cold War would automatically contribute to the rectification of injustices, economic prosperity and stability has been dispelled over the years. The Post- Cold War era has been marked by declining development resources, civil conflicts and political instability6. A good example of conflicts that have taken place since the end of the Cold War and the fall of the two blocks include the Israeli – Palestinian conflict, the Gulf War, Iraq –Kuwait conflict and the Yugoslavia civil war among many others. The conventional balance of powers of between European powers disintegrated in the face of increased expansionism and nationalism. Cold War gave rise to a bipolar world, whereby international systems with new superpowers maintain precarious nuclear balance. Subsequent to the World War II, the Cold War was mainly centered in Europe. However, after one decade the Cold War became a significant defining feature of international system. The Second decade of the Cold War brought the world into a close brink of major conflict however, afterwards a substantial step towards repose of relations between superpower nations was witnessed. Furthermore, the international system was transformed into a multi-polar system as political factors interlocked with economic forces to shape history7. After the Cold War and the demise of the two block system , the key question asked by many was on whether the world would sink into more chaos or an international order would be created. To date most political systems around the world focus on addressing the existing conflicts and tensions rather than creating a new world order. Previously, great Wars resulted to new international orders. For instance, after World War I, the treaty of Versailles was created. However when it came to the Cold War, there were no attempts to create a new international order. Consequently, the aftermath of the Cold War was characterised by more instability, more security challenges and international conflicts8. On the other hand, the Cold War also created opportunities for addressing different challenges revolving around tension relating to a bipolar world system. For instance, Francis Fukuyama, an American political scientist called the end of the Cold War in the Early 1990’s “the end of history” in the real sense Fukuyama was referring to “the return of history” epitomised by historical sources of international conflict and tension. This is the basic diagnosis therefore the long-range solution is the creation of a new world order. According to Pastusiak (2004), a new world order should be characterised by long-term socio-political, economic, military and technological trends that determine the nature of future political relations. It incorporates dramatic transformations that occurred due to the Cold War such as the dissolution of the “bipolar world system” and collaboration rather than confrontation between ideological opponents9. Personally, I do not believe that the end of the Cold War and the fall of the two block system has provided an opportunity to develop a more stable and balanced world order. The end of the Cold War and the fall of the two block system continues to significantly impact on world affairs. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the world in the post-Cold War era is regarded as unipolar with the United States as the super power10. The nature of security in the world is much more stabilised as compared to the cold war era. Nevertheless, it is not entirely true to conclude that that the world today is more peaceful that the cold war era. It is worth noting that the Cold War period was mainly characterised by unrest between the two blocks of power. Currently, the world mainly experiences intra-state conflicts, this is where countries have internal conflicts. For instance, conflicts in the Middle-East and African regions are mainly intra- state conflicts. Moreover, US invasion of Iraq is also a major security threat to the world11. The aftermath of the Cold War cannot be easily erased since many social and economic tensions that were employed so as to heighten Cold War in some parts of the Third World are severely experienced. Moreover, the dissolution of state control in several countries that were formerly governed by communist governments has spurred new ethnic and civil conflicts. The former Yugoslavia is a good example in this case. In addition, in other parts like Afghanistan the aftermath of the Cold War contributed to state failure12. Conclusion The end of the Cold War and the fall of the two block system continues to significantly impact on world affairs. Many political commentators argue that the end of Cold War and the fall of the two block system epitomised an opportunity to develop a more balanced and stable world order. This essay has critically examined the extent to which these sentiments are correct and incorrect. The findings of this essay depict that to some extent the end of the Cold War and the fall of the two block system have contributed to more balanced and stable world order. Nevertheless, the end of the Cold War has spurred new ethnic and civil conflicts. References Abbey Richard, The World After the Cold War. Retrieved on October 20, 2011 from http://www.modernghana.com/news/203917/1/the-world-after-the-cold-war.html Brzezinski Zbigniew, ‘The Cold War and Its Aftermath’, Foreign Affairs Vol. 71, No. 4, 1992, pp. 31-49. Gaddis, John. The Cold War: a new history. Penguin Books, New York, 2006, pp. 5-31. Halliday, Fred. Foreword. In: Saull, Richard, (ed.) Rethinking theory and history in the cold war: the state, military power and social revolution. Cold war history. Frank Cass, Southgate, 2001, ix-xv. Haynes John & Klehr Harvey. Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America, Yale University Press, New Haven, 2000, pp. 57-93 Hryciuk John, The U.S war on Iraq: alternatives to the Bush doctrine in an age of terror. Portland State University, Portland, pp.2-5. Marchione Thomas, Human Rights and nutrition practice after the Cold War. Retrieved on October 20, 2011 from Painter David, The Cold War: an international history, Rutledge, New York, 1999, pp. 1-3 Pastusiak Longin, After the Cold War: We need to build a new world order, The New York Times, January 2, 2004. Walker, Martin. The Cold War: a history, Holt, New York., 1995, pp. 4-16. Read More