Comparative Evaluation of Classical Realism and Classical Liberalism - Essay Example

Comparative Evaluation ical Realism and ical Liberalism Introduction: The concepts of realism and liberalism have been having immense effects on the international politics over several years. Classical realism had been realized and developed by Morgenthau that has been prevalent in the political world for over two generations (Pashakhanlou, 2009). Classical liberalism is another concept of the political thought that involves focusing on the freedom that an individual needs to receive more importantly than the powers of the concerned state to which the individual belongs to (Koeller, 2003). The current study focuses on a comparative learning on the concepts of classical realism and classical liberalism as well as has an understanding on the influences that these concepts have on the world and its politics internationally. Classical Realism and Classical Liberalism: A Comparative Study: The classical realism is focused on the conflicts, powers and wars prevailing in the political world on an international level and determines how repeatedly such political conflicts occur in the world. The classical realism concept tries to stress on the causes created by human beings that result in the initiation of political conflicts (Pashakhanlou, 2009). On the other hand liberalism is more concerned about the freedom that human beings deserve. This concept brings into focus the need to understand the requirements of the human beings more than the needs of a state (Koeller, 2003). Thus the two concepts are different in their study of the world politics. However, although having different concepts the beliefs are concerned with the humans and the impacts of the international politics on the lives of the common people. The primary difference in the two concepts lies in the fact that realism focuses on what is happening in actual in the international political world (Pashakhanlou, 2009). Contrary to this, the liberalism concept tries to bring into focus the scenario in regard to the freedom of individuals that should actually prevail instead of the importance that is often given to the state governments and their power (Koeller, 2003). Classical realists have tried to discover several meanings to the concept of power that prevails in international politics. As Morgenthau had tried to focus on through his studies and analysis, the power that a state government generally reflects on the state activities are consequences of the interests that the nation holds as a whole (Pashakhanlou, 2009). The classical liberalism on the other hand throws light on the promotion of government power that needs to be limited to highlight the power of the human beings inhabitant in the state. The primary focus of this belief is thus on individuals being able to be liberal in their activities and yet decide their democratic views on their own. The concept is also not associated with any socialism on the part of the individuals. Rather, their freedom and independence in expression of their political views as well as getting involved in political activities are considered significant in the classical liberalism concept (Koeller, 2003). The Reflections and Impacts of Classical Realism and Classical Liberalism on the international politics: Although the concept of classical realism tried to link between the human behavior and their activities and thus the conflicts and power struggles occurring in the world of politics, yet the concept could not keep up with its implications till the current times. Considering its implications, it has been observed that the concept has been unable to act on some standard while focusing on the international politics as a whole. If it pointed to some facts of the human behavior leading to conflicts, the theory has not been able to relate that fact to the world politics as a whole. Rather, it has been associated to some parts of the world politics or some sections or groups of people. Moreover, the concept has been proved to be inconsistent since it could not explain the different terms in relation to world politics and conflicts while their meanings varied to some extents. Also, the classical realism did not efficiently consider the responsibilities of the structure of the nations involved in political activities. In other words, the primary implications of the thoughts of classical realism were based on how the human beings could understand the needs of the world and accordingly play their roles towards bringing internationally accepted activities for the betterment of human lives. However, since the roles of the government or the political parties in particular have not been highlighted by this concept, it could have not much effects on the world politics as a whole, which later was achieved by neo-realism (Rynning & Ringsmose, 2008, pp.19-39). The concept or thought of classical liberalism on the other hand, could rise to greater levels since their focus was primarily on the need for independence and freedom of human beings that was considered as a significant role of a nation’s political parties. The classical liberalism theorists believed that the importance of the state governments and their needs to focus on the need and demand of the human beings. The reflection and impact of this theory could be visible with nations like Europe not limiting their demands in the economical and political concerns. With one nation rising with the thought, other nations were found to be getting involved that reflects the significance of the concept. Different individuals participated in hostile activities trying to bring about the effect of the rising demand among the populations leading to nationalism and cultural pride for the country. Revolutionary movements have been visible across different schools that include the Australian school, the Chicago school, where large numbers of theorists and economists reflected their views and opinions on the concerned needs of the individuals. These theorists had thrown light on the resources available in a society that needed to be utilized for the good of the common masses instead of being used by a nation’s government and political parties. Thus the concept of classical liberalism being able to bring into focus the importance of the understanding of the freedom of individuals, it had an extensive effect on the political and world activities (Sturgis, 2006). Conclusion: Considering a comparative study on both classical realism and classical liberalism, it can be understood that both the concepts have been different in their views and thoughts. While realism remained concerned with the reality that occurs as a result of the human activities not considering the structural negligence, the liberalism concept focused on the needful measures that human beings required and deserved as against the importance provided to the political parties or the government authorities. Thus the liberalism concept being more effective and influential, it could have significant impacts on the world that led to several revolutionary measures. Contrary to this, the realism theory not being able to associate the concept to the actual occurrences did not have influences on the world and faded away with the passage of time. References 1) Koeller, D. (2003), Classical Liberalism, thenagain, available at: http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/glossary/ClassicalLiberalism.html (accessed on February 15, 2012) 2) Pashakhanlou, A.H. (2009), Comparing and Contrasting Classical Realism and Neorealism, e-ir, available at: http://www.e-ir.info/2009/07/23/comparing-and-contrasting-classical-realism-and-neo-realism/ (accessed on February 15, 2012) 3) Rynning, S. & J. Ringsmose (2008), Why Are Revisionist States Revisionist? Reviving Classical Realism as an Approach to Understanding International Change, International Politics, Vol.45, pp.19-39, available at: http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ip/journal/v45/n1/full/8800217a.html (accessed on February 16, 2012) 4) Sturgis, A.H. (2006), The Rise, Decline, and Reemergence of Classical Liberalism, belmont, available at: http://www.belmont.edu/lockesmith/liberalism_essay/the_decline.html (accessed on February 16, 2012) Read More