Fundamental International Relation Theory Issues - Essay Example

Fundamental International Relation Theory Issues The focal points of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the merits and demerits of two Fundamental International Relation Theory Issues and find out the more positive and correct theory. The two theories in concern are the beliefs that the economic exchange is a positive-sum game and the Marxist approaches that believe that the economy is a site of exploitation and inequality. To understand the foundations of Marx’s class analysis one must look beyond the synoptic treatments of class in their well-known and much appreciated works on economy, party concept and class systems. These perceptions and concepts of class are intimately linked to their investigations of the broad problem of rationalization in modern society. Class, in these terms, is the way economic power is distributed when economic action is organized in an instrumentally-rational manner to the greatest degree. The problem of exploitation the extraction of labor effort from workers is treated, in this framework, primarily as a problem of technical efficiency and economic rationality in creating work incentives and effective discipline. This leads to a relatively impoverished conception of the nature of antagonistic interests generated by class relations. Key readings from Marx ("The Communist Manifesto" and "On Classes") help us understand the sociological analyses of inequality in the concepts of social class, exploitation, surplus value, markets, status, and power. (Dell, 227-9) The importance of production relations in Marxian theory with beliefs that the economic exchange is a positive-sum game and its emphasis on market relations could be a key prospect in understanding the basic or fundamental influence on modern European society. It could well be suggested that both property and market dynamics are important by relating each to the concepts of class composition. The basic concept may be incorporated into positive-sum game’s emphasis on social closure to more clearly differentiate social classes which could develop into a model of class structure, usefully differentiates relational and gradational conceptualizations of social class, and re-visits some key differences between Marxian and positive-sum game theory. But the end goal being the evaluation of Marxian and positive-sum game theory in the perspective of the modern society it could be well punctuated that the basic relevance of these perceptions are present even today but not necessarily in a visible manner. The insights of Marx and positive-sum game remain integral to sociological analyses of inequality even as more recent scholarship has promoted more contextual, and some would say more nuanced, models. (Fletcher, 63) The basic perception of Marxian and positive-sum game theory relate to several critical debates in sociology, including structure versus agency arguments, functionalist versus social conflict models, and the debate over the primacy of class (as opposed to race or gender). In addition, the book’s organization invites readers to think sociologically about the evolution of sociological theory itself; the connections between scholarly debates and the historical periods in which they are grounded are evident throughout the society. The concept of Marxian and positive-sum game theory is also useful for illuminating some of the differences between American and European intellectual traditions. If theoretical frameworks are identified by their silences as loudly as by their proclamations, then one of the defining characteristics of class analysis in positive-sum game tradition is the virtual absence of a systematic concept of exploitation. Nothing better captures the central contrast between the Marxist and positive-sum game traditions of class analysis than the difference between a class concept centered on the problem of life chances in positive-sum game theory and a concept rooted in the problem of exploitation in Marx. This is not to say that positive-sum game completely ignores some of the substantive issues connected to the problem of exploitation. (Dell, 187) It can be formulated easily, for example, positive-sum game, like Marx, sees an intimate connection between the nature of property relations in capitalism and the problem employers face in eliciting high levels of effort from workers. But he does not theorize this issue in terms of a general concept of exploitation nor does he see the problem of extracting labor effort as a pivotal feature of class relations and a central determinant of class conflict. Instead he treats the problem of eliciting work performance within capitalism as an instance of technical inefficiencies reflecting a tension between formal rationality and substantive rationality within capitalist economic relations. Thus, the relevance of work culture into the infusion of society can be well experienced within the framework of the model introduced by both Marx and positive-sum game of a different and variable stratum. It should always be considered that the industrial revolution in Europe, particularly United Kingdoms, gave birth to different aspects of social and cultural changes. Religion was affected in a way too which is still quite relevant and observable in today’s society in United Kingdom as well as the rest of Europe. With the advent of the industrial revolution in the18th century the whole Europe saw the birth of a new era with the inventions of 1785 (improved steam engine) 1804 (locomotive) making way towards an age of mass production. With this revolutionary change in the aspect of economy much social contexts began to change. As agriculture was not the prime economic outlook there was a sharp drop of birth rate that correspondingly gave way to better living standards and economic individual independence. Development of philosophies like these was never conceptualized before these were introduced. The ideas of Marx and positive-sum game were no different. One more important aspect of the teachings and theories of Marx and positive-sum game are clearly visible on the social context of United Kingdom and the most important segment of these criteria is observed in the context of work environment. The concept of ‘dignity of labor’ has been injected and well digested within the social and cultural life of all British. This is a huge change from the days of feudal system of the society and theories of Marx and positive-sum game made it sure that at least this aspect would be there to sustain in the sense that this fundamental is basically an irreversible process of the society. In a way, these theories of Marx and positive-sum game could well be concluded as the main architect of shaping and construction the psychology and perception of the British society for a very long run profit return. This return today’s United Kingdom is reaping by the dint of free democratic government system providing one of the most transparent democratic system if not the most. (Fletcher, 175-7) The concepts of the theories of Marx and positive-sum game on class difference still persists to date in United Kingdom and even in US in the sense that there are still differences in social and economical classes. But it should be mentioned in the same context that this difference is more of a fiscal data available and required in budget preparation and control and political semi-issue during a campaign. But it should be noted that the relevance of class difference today is low in the parameter of the entire population. However, this should be considered as a prime example where the absence of an element proves the existence of it. In other words the low class difference of today’s United Kingdom, or US, is due to the perception of class initially put forward by the theories of Marx and positive-sum game. It should always be considered, in conclusion, that the theories of Marx and positive-sum game made way for the direct stake holders of the industrial development to concentrate on the well being of their employees on a wide scale. This concept was to yield profit on the longer term but this helped the workers to realize their position in the context of an industry thereby gaining faith in them, thus attaining the needed perspective of human rights but it can well be stated in these parameters of economic and fiscal principals and in the concept of social and international relationship building and sustainability Marxist formulation scores well ahead of positive-sum game theory. (Lamb, 227) Works Sited: Dell, A & Sobers, M; 1998; Economy and Economists: The Quest for Ideal Fiscal Policy-The Theory of Everything In Economics; Wellington: National Book Trust Fletcher, R; 2003; On International Politics; Dunedin: Howard & Price Lamb, Davis; 2004; Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata; Wellington: National Book Trust. Read More