The Theories of Neorealism and Neoliberalism - Speech or Presentation Example

1st Slide: Introduction US and Saudi Arabia have become allies because of a relationship created based on mutual benefits. US and Saudi Arabia, both were against communism and communist states and this mutual fear brought them together. Saudi Arabia wanted security and stability while US wanted a continuous flow of oil. So, after World War II, the two got allied forgetting their differences. US depends on the fulfillment of its energy needs on Saudi Arabia as it is a main importer of Saudi oil. As far as Saudi Arabia is concerned, it wants continuance of its economic stability by selling its oil and also requires military protection and depends on US for it. Both the countries have enjoyed good relationships that resulted in economic stability for both as well as prevention of spreading of communism. Mistrust was also there. US supported Israel, Saudi Arabia’s enemy state in Yom Kippur war by providing them weapons after which, Saudi Arabia joined an embargo against US in 1973. Yom Kippur War was an Arab-Israeli War launched by Egyptian and Syrian forces against Israel (History). On October 20, 1973, Saudi Arabia entered the oil embargo already in place between other middle-eastern countries against the United States. The entire global oil market was thrown into major flux and shortages of oil and gasoline were felt across the whole United States. 2nd Slide: Thesis The theories of neorealism and neoliberalism will be discussed along with the history of Saudi-US relationships The characteristics of neoliberalism and neorealism will be discussed along with the debate between the two theories. The existent similarities and differences between the two theories along with the argument between Neorealists and Neoliberal Instituionalists, concerning conflict and cooperation in the international system will be discussed. The Saudi-US relations during the 1973 Oil Crisis reveals some of the fundamental truths of neorealism that is rarely contented in IR. The Saudi-US relationship represents neorealism better than neoliberalism does 3rd Slide: Why Neorealism The US-Saudi Arabia relations show that Saudi Arabia has always followed a neo-realist approach in its relations with US while US has shifted from a neo-liberal approach to neo-realist approach after 1973 oil crisis. The neorealist theories, Balance of power, Balance of threat, Balance of interest and Omni-balancing theory, all can be applied for understanding US-Saudi Arabia Alliance. US enjoys the status of being a super power that shows that its alliance with Saudi Arabia is not balanced, but Saudi Arabia is powerful because of its energy production, which is eventually needed by US. Both countries have faced similar threats such as the threats of communism and external threats in the form of terrorist organizations and so on. Then there is balance of interest theory according to which, coalition is there because of opportunistic reasons. So, US and Saudi Arabia have formed alliance based on mutual benefits. As per omni-balancing theory, when a state is unable to guarantee its security and stability because of rising tensions, it forms alliances to ensure its survival. US-Saudi Arabia alliance can be understood here. (Lujan, 2014) 4th Slide: Neo-realism and Neo-Liberalism Neorealism generally feels that power is the paramount factor when dealing with international relations. ‘Neorealists’ try to focus on “security measures while neoliberal institutionalists are believed to have placed greater emphasis upon environmental and economic issues”, emphasizing economic issues more (Whyte, 2012). Neorealists believe that physical security should be a motivator, international cooperation is hard to achieve, and there should be a focus on capabilities instead of intentions. Neoliberalism thinks that institutions are able to create international anarchy, concentrate on absolute gains, and feel that the political economy is paramount to national security (Whyte, 2012). The problems that are created because of anarchy can be solved collectively as per neoliberalism while neorealist relationships belief in self-help and power acquirement. 5th Slide: US-Saudi Arabia Relations Both of them showed neo-realistic approach than neo-liberal approach because they gave concern towards their own motives. Neo-liberalism is against selfish motives for relationship development while neorealism deals much with power acquisition and carefree attitude towards rights of people. US develops relationships with the neo-realist perspectives and the basic issues involved are of power and security. In 1973 Oil Crisis, US was overly reliant on Saudi Arabia for its energy needs and Saudi Arabia entered the oil embargo already in place between other middle-eastern countries against the United States. US aided Israel in Yom Kippur war and Saudi Arabia being a Muslim state was against Israel. US sent heavy armaments to Israel for winning the war against Arab states after which, Saudi Arabia joined the embargo against US. US is trying to shift to green technology in place of relying on oil for energy needs. US’s efforts towards self-sufficiency for acquirement of energy are troublesome for Saudi Arabia because US is Saudi Arabia’s main importer. Before 1973 Oil crisis, US had trust in its allies, but after the embargo and energy crisis, it started being self-sufficient and started looking for suitable measures. It identified that energy security is the foremost security that any country can have in order to continue becoming a superpower. Its dependence on allies was because it was neo-liberal while its dependence on itself is going to make it neo-realist. US has maintained an artificial relationship with Saudi Arabia, as both are quite incompatible to each other. US is a Western liberal democracy while Saudi Arabia is a fundamentalist Middle Eastern monarchy. US never challenges Saudi Arabia on its human rights violation and Saudi Arabia has made an ally that aids Israel. They have maintained a relationship based on the benefits that they get. 6th Slide: Neo realism and the US-Saudi relations According to Neo-realists, countries create a balance and during the 1980s and 1990s, the balance that US and Saudi Arabia maintained were against Iran and Iraq who were external threats to both US and Saudi Arabia. US has its strategic interests involved in continuing its alliance with Saudi Arabia while Saudi Arabia has imminent threats in relation to destabilization of status quo because of regional actors (Lujan, 2014). Saudi Arab has maintained the status of regional hegemon because of US alliance because it depends on US for economic and security needs. The two countries have their own interests with the alliance and they maintain a certain balance in their interest. They have some common enemies, but some uncommon friends. Both the countries have different governmental structures, but their alliance is there because they have interests attached, which they cannot ignore. 7th Slide: Conclusion Saudi Arabia and US are quite different from one another as Saudi Arabia is a kingdom, but US is a democracy. Their alliance is because of interests attached. Saudi Arabia wants security against external as well as internal threats and also requires economic stability. However, US has strategic interests and it is the biggest importer of Saudi Oil. It requires the oil for the fulfillment of its energy needs. Their alliance is artificial, which was depicted by 1973 oil embargo. US and Saudi Arabia have developed an alliance after world war II and this alliance is still underway. The longevity of this alliance depends on external threats to the Saudi Arabia and US, both. Iran is the primary external threat to Saudi Arabia and US. According to Neo-realist perspective, US-Saudi alliance is there because of balance of interests and threats. The relationship is maintained because of threats and interests of both sides. Read More