World Politics in International Relations: Realism - Assignment Example

 World politics in international relations Introduction There are general theories in the discipline of international relations that are contending. Realism is an international politics view that insists on its conflictual and competitive side. Its contrast is based on liberalism and idealism both of which have an emphasis on cooperation. In the international arena, realists consider the main actors to be the states which act to pursue their own national interests, struggle to achieve power and their own security is their concern. Realists have a negative side that emphasizes on self -interest and power which is their skepticism in reference to ethical norms of relating to other states.1 Not all realists however that disregard ethics and there is a distinction between the classical realism and extreme or radical realism. Though the classical realists emphasizes on national interest, they believe that not everything can just be justified by the state’s reason. They are however moralism critical though they do not oppose the possibility of there being a moral judgment in the politics internationally. They believe in judging the rightness of actions based on their consequences on political actions. Realism therefore has various claims and approaches towards the theoretical traditions.2 Major concepts and propositions of realism in international relations Realism is based on international politics. Different theories however explain different concepts and propositions concerning realism but the basic ones that are shared by the different theorists are that the international systems are not hierarchical but anarchical, states are primarily the actors in the political systems and that states act to pursue their own interest which is either defined as power according to the offensive and classical realism, and state security according to the defensive realism.3 The key concepts of realism therefore are anarchy, national interest in terms of power and security and state as actors in international politics. Classical realist explains that the state is the main actor in international politics. The authority of the states is considered as the highest authority that has ever been into existence. The states are however likely to remain in this state over time. International politics have a difference when in comparison with the politics within the domestic boundaries. International states therefore are not expected to be treated as individual people. The emphasis of realism is to consider the role of these states in the international relations and view them as the sovereign states as the monopolists over the use of force which is focused on the behavior of the state. It also focuses on the states independence with every state being dependent on its own self. The emphasis is based on the survival of these states which is based on power. This power can be measured in terms of the capability of military. It therefore opposes the international institutions that tend to increase international cooperation while reducing the need to maximize power. Realism is used by the international relations theorists as a basis and framework of analyzing and determining the security issues of the international system. The anarchical structure of the political systems is considered as an important aspect of guidance in the international political systems where authority is not centralized. They believe that lack of centralization aids in resolving disputes in international political systems. Realisms also believe that the security is another interest apart from power that is aimed by international political systems. Insecurity is seen as the main concern for any state. The security aspect therefore is founded on the need to protect states from both domestic as well as foreign enemies. This is enhanced by the state’s efforts to build alliances with the other states. Primary areas of vulnerability to criticism of realism Realism is criticized from the concept that there is anarchical leadership in the international political systems which implies the lack of centralized authority. International politics therefore can be criticized as a power battle between states that are all self -interested .there is also a criticism on that the establishment of realism is based on human nature’s pessimistic theory. The theory is criticized as being inadequate to explain the full international dimension’s relation. The remedy for this criticism has been the shift to states as being the main focus. There is also vulnerability to criticism derived from absence precision and the contradiction that arises from concepts such as national interest defined in form of power, and also from the components of realism, both descriptive and prescriptive.4 Whereas citizens are encouraged to show self –control, prudence and to put in consideration the interests of other states, power is still a concept of realism and a basis of state leaders’ interest. This is criticized as a way of disregarding ethics and morality between the states. The correlation between balancing power and political output is seen to be non -compelling. Another point of criticism is realism’s on significance of international institutions, which are based on achieving international cooperation and security. This results to conflicts between the states.5 Alternative explanation for international relations and how it fills the realism gap Realism theory is an alternative theory for explaining international relations. It is an idealism theory which emphasizes that the states should consider their foreign policy goals to be their internal political philosophy. This liberal theory was intended to emerge after the Second World War. The theory holds that what determine the state behavior are the preferences of the state and not its capability. There is a plurality in the action of the state and the preferences of different states are observed to be variant depending on different factors in each state. The relationship of the state as well in the liberal theory is not limited to politics but may be dependent on other factors such as economic or cultural factors.6 The realists on the other hand hold on anarchical systems and power as determinants of state behavior. There is also the constructivism theory that which recognizes the importance of ideas in making an international system. Ideas in this case being such as goals threats and perceived ideas. In addition, the democratic peace theory holds that there are minimal conflicts and war between states. Realists on the other hand hold on structural reasons for peace rather than the democratics. Bibliography: Behr, Hartmut and Kirke, Xander. The tale of realism in international relations. Accessed on March 23, 2015 http://www.e-ir.info/2014/06/13/the-tale-of-a-realism-in-international-relations/ Donnelly, Jack. Realism and International Relations. Accessed March 23, 2015 http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam032/99053676.pdf “Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”. Political Realism in International Relations. First published Mon Jul 26, 2010; substantive revision Tue Apr 2, 2013. Accessed on March 23 rd 2015 http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/realism-intl-relations/ “US Government and Politics Study Guide”. Theories of international relations Accessed on march 23, 2015 .http://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/political- science/international-politics/section2.rhtml Read More