Neoliberalism and Neorealism Theories Used in International Relations - Coursework Example

Compares and Contrasts Neoliberalism and Neorealism Theories Used In International Relations Table of Contents Introduction 3 A Brief Overview of Neoliberalism and Neorealism Theories 4 Compare and Contrast With the Focus Areas 5 State as a Role Player 5 International System 7 Balance of Power 8 Cooperation 9 Security 10 US-Iran Relations Leading to the Iran Nuclear Agreement 11 Conclusion 13 References 14 Introduction International relation is an arena of political science. Basically, it is related to determine the relations of different nations and studying the association persisting amid the internal roles of intergovernmental, non-governmental and multinational organizations. On a further note, the notion concerning international relation is also related to academic as well as public policy, which tends to analyze and formulate the same for any specific state. In this respect, neoliberalism and neorealism, both are deemed to be contrary theories based on the fields of politics along with economy. Neorealism is based on the perception of classical realism, which is related as well as explained in terms of international politics based on human nature, ego, strategy, motivation and emotion of all the leaders of world politics. Another side is neoliberalism, which indicates a form of free-market in world’s economic theory. Several theorists had a debate on both of these theories, affirming that these show the characteristics and perspectives towards making broader theoretical advancement within international relationship1. The outline of the above discussed two theories must positively reveal the field of methods, ‘epistemologies’ and ‘ontologies’ that can be interrelated with one another. In terms of formulating a thesis statement, the essay intends to compare the neoliberalism and neorealism theories with significant advancements made in the domain of international relationship. This comparison would be mainly made in terms of focusing upon certain crucial areas that include states acting as role players, international system, balance of power and cooperation along with security. Moreover, the comparison will also be conducted with special focus on US-Iran relations that led the formation of Iran Nuclear agreement with the US. A Brief Overview of Neoliberalism and Neorealism Theories Neoliberalism is regarded as an important concept and theory in the modern economy. It is a concept, which purposely proposes the advancement of liberating well-being based on individual entrepreneurial liberty and related skills within a particular framework of specific characteristics in market and trade that is free. Generally, in the above stated theory, there is a basic hope for maintaining world peace in terms of common ground based on alliances as well as institutional policies of world powers. Additionally, liberal thoughts lead to an interrelated as well as interdependent world. Economic factors of any nation could be shifted from public to private sectors with controlling the power of economic and social study approaches. Neoclassical economics in the form of neoliberalism theory indicates the activities perform by the respective government towards developing an economy. Such activities could be reckoned as lessening scarcity of spending along with limiting subsidies, additionally reforming the tax laws with the perception of expanding tax base, eradicating fixed exchange rates, creating a free market in terms of reducing protectionism and privatizing maximum domestic businesses. Basically, liberal leads to different meaning in the fields of economics and politics. Economically, neoliberalism simply means to remove the basic obstructions as well as restriction from crucial factors of economics. It possesses the ability to develop gestures in the new times of economy. Based on the viewpoints of certain neo-liberalist theorists i.e. Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, the neoliberalism theory indicates retaining sovereignty by maintaining hierarchy or balance of power2. On the other hand, neorealism is related to realism theory, which relates to different geopolitics related concepts as well as balance of power. Realism provides rationality in forming international relationship in terms of power, security along with material wealth and capabilities that can develop an economy as per the desired level. From a general view, realism theory believes in greater power that can secure the dominant position of an economy. In contrary part of this realism theory, it is strongly believed that the power is typically based on military influences. This particular theory would be different for different states as well as distinct power distribution systems. It is worth mentioning that the basic concept of neorealism sustain in that particular system, which acts against any particular that believe in acquiring more power and make continuous planning towards strengthening their own safety measurements. As per the standpoints of certain neorealist theorists i.e. Kenneth Waltz and John Mearsheimer, the theory of neoralism signifies a structural paradigm, which elaborates the generation of interstate conflicts by the changing international systems3. Compare and Contrast With the Focus Areas State as a Role Player The focus area of state acting as a role player has been taken into concern for comparing the theories of neoliberalism and neorealism that are used in the domain of international relations. It is vital to mention that both the aforesaid theories easily can get compared in terms of various significant aspects. These aspects encompass formation of agreements depicting states’ interests, international conflicts and the possible responsibilities of international institutions among others. From the perspective of the focus area concerning role player of states, one of the neorealist theorists Mearsheimer affirmed that the neorealist theory is likely to be based on human nature, its basic structure along with power and conflict4. Basically, a neorealist highlights the existing level of conflict in power and security. On the other side, according to the neoliberalist theorists Keohane & Nye, the neoliberalism theory tends to reduce the problems in the area of authentic information and trust, which can be resolved through the operations conducted within distinct international institutions. Democratic peace is viewed to be one of the important factors, which is related to liberalism. International institutions are responsible for enhancing the prospect of cooperation in between all the states. Apart from this, such institutions are also accountable for reducing the probability of war, promoting democratic peace at large. Additionally, the institutions allow the respective government to ignore the power of relationships as well as increase cooperative relationship and raising fewer amounts of conflicts. As per the conception of the neo-realist theorist Mearsheimer, neorealism is a complicated enterprise in the domain of international relations. It can be apparently observed that several fundamental actors get influenced in various ways5. A state is regarded as the most essential part of international relationship. Militaries, industries, natural resources, territory along with population as well as economic conditions are all included in the material power as well as the capabilities of a particular state. Specially mentioning, in neoliberalism theory, states often perform the roles of maintaining the critical norms of security, acquisition of military and developing other capabilities. In comparison with neorealism theory, states often desire to address the respective issues that arise amid international institutions by promoting trade and maintaining interdependence as well as sharing democratic norms6. Based on the above stated context, it can be affirmed that securities, material power along with capabilities are the most relevant issues that make the states to act as an influential role player. International institutes along with states both remain interested in conducting free trade and preserving economic interdependency, which in turn generates increasing level of wealth and strengthens the security system. In this regard, there always lays a natural tendency of increasing the wealth as per the internationalization of domestic businesses. In this specific situation, internationalization along with interdependency usually makes the states to act as an effective role player. In terms of nuclear weapons, the occurrence of technological as well as industrial development often makes the wars more hazardous. This certainly results into paving the way of conducting free trade globally, leading towards generating more profitable business than before. These specific factors that make the states to act as an influential role player eventually compares the approaches of the two provided theories i.e. neoliberalism and neorealism7. International System From the perspective of the other focus area i.e. international system, both the neoliberalism and neorealism theories of Keohane and Waltz, were found to be dependent in nature. In relation to the theory of neorealism, the neorealist theorist Mearsheimer opined that the varied components of international system are reckoned to be security, material power, force, industries and other related aspects. However, these particular components are found to be relevant with Keohane & Nye’s neoliberalism theory as well. The theory of neoliberalism indicates a clear view about the fact that globalization is related to business, trade, exchange rate as well as total profitability of states in terms of growth along with sustainability8. Another side, globalization may create the issue of security and also restrict the development of economies as well as industries. In contrast, the theory of neoliberalism represent that the overall performance of international systems is related to the factors of globalization and interdependency, security, free market and global trade. From this perspective, it must be mentioned that the theory of neoliberalism presents more detailed understanding about the security and political issues persistent within the international system as compared to neorealism theory9. Balance of Power In accordance with liberalism theory and viewpoints of the neoliberalist theorist Keohane, balance of power is related to national security and the capabilities of military force that get distributed amid the states. It is worth mentioning that when one particular state is able to gain the dominant power over all other states, it can be expected that this particular state would take benefit of its power and attack the weaker neighboring states10. From the perception of neorealism theory, the above stated situation needs to be maintained not through aggression, which disrupts the stability between two rival states, but forming a situation of equilibrium of power amid the rival states. In terms of international relation aspect, the balance of power is the oldest form of any state’s power11. Especially mentioning, by a certain extent, power of balancing is inevitable and lack of conflict in anarchy certainly arise insecurity to others. As per the observation made by the neoliberalist theorist Nye, it basically unify all the principles of typical power concepts and converts into a stable as well as cooperative international society, which also indicates making great sustainability in the globalized free market along with free trade12. However, it is to be affirmed that the stability as well as the balance of power in terms of both neoliberalism and neorealism approaches and theories look forward towards utilizing the power in an efficient way. Basically, both these approaches indicate strengthening the security as well as political economy system with addressing the recent issues including human rights and related aspects. More importantly, both the approaches would be interconnected through economy, security, power along with people. In this context, propeor balancing of these issues should remain much legitimate for the states as well as other relevant factors13. Cooperation Cooperation is an important issue not only for maintaining the equilibrium of power, but also preserving stability in economies, free trade, balance in exchange rate, maximize rate of globalization and development in technologies. In relation to the neorealism theory and Waltz’s view, international institutions are responsible for enhancing the prospect of cooperation amid all the states. Democratic peace is one of the actors of maintaining international relations. Cooperation should be the first step towards reducing the probability of war14. In today’s world of globalization, nuclear weapons often get utilized in wars, as these found to be competent enough to derive positive outcomes and reap several significant benefits15. Here, in this situation, another actor is ascertained as international institutions that are held responsible for enhancing the prospect of cooperation amid all the states. Basically, cooperation is all about forming, developing and preserving interpersonal relationship as well as trust amid the states and also the rival ones that can restrict in deriving negative circumstances due to the conduct of the war16. Security As per the standpoints of neorealist theorist Mearsheimer, security is recognized to be one of the crucial issues for any particular state. Fundamentally, it is related to the theory of neorealism in terms of international relationship power, security, along with material wealth and capabilities that can progress an economy based on the execution of new ideas as well as values. Security is related to the state’s power of military force, specifically, it determines how much an individual state is sustainable in this competitive world from the perceptions of economic as well as military power17. A strong economic base should give a state an important place not only in world’s sustainable powerful economic queue, but can also provide a durable security as well18. In this context, it can be affirmed that neorealism as well as neoliberalism theories both appear from distinct fields that hold differentiated practices, attributes and functions19. US-Iran Relations Leading to the Iran Nuclear Agreement It has been earlier mentioned that the factor concerning security is regarded as a worsening issue for every state. It is worth mentioning in this similar concern that with the intention of reducing the uncertainty of security and other relevant issues, the states often create a forum that is able to interact more transparently as well as enforce certain special regulations on the state’s behavior. These specific regulations are taken by the International Institutions in the form of making agreements, out of which Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is regarded as one of the prime ones. According to this situation, it was clear that international institution and regimes all intended to improve the relation between the US and Iran in terms of reducing uncertainties and also enhancing the interaction procedure. This deal is a historic event, which remarked fulfilling the gap persisted between the US and Iran. The former President of the US indicated the deal as a vital initial step towards resolving the Iranian nuclear disagreement. This deal was strategically beneficial for Iran, as the deal given the right to exercise peaceful nuclear technologies, which could assist Iran in ensuring its security dilemma20. This also certainly reduced the chances of devastating war between these countries, which was a relief for them from the perception of monetary as well as environmental hazards. From this basis of conception, it can be understood that international institutions helped immensely to improve the internal concerns of Iran. Through the formation of the above stated deal, Iran established an undeclared dominance in different Arab regions. Thus, it is clear that this deal could have been improved for ascertaining the insecurity and uncertainty of Iran-US relations. Additionally, the deal reduced the tendency of war, specifically the nuclear war amid both the countries. This particular structure of regimes demonstrated peace between the US and Iran. According to the regulations outperformed in the deal, trade as well as interdependence between the countries got enriched by a considerable level. Thus, Iran has been relishing the undeclared dominance but, it was not the actual democracy, people were forcefully dominant by higher authority. From the viewpoints of the US, it can be inferred that the nation got the unsaid dictatorship above Iran. In relation to the perception of liberalism, there was no stress of democracy. Though interdependence was increasing the probabilities of cooperation, it also introduced the concept of regimes, which alleviated anarchy and facilitated greater cooperation. However, in the context of neorealism theory, there was a cultural and value conflict that might arise in between the countries for certain reasons. One of such reasons could be ascertained as the persistence of distinct culture as well as values that have the potentiality to generate conflicts amid the nations21. Conclusion From the above analysis and discussion, which is mainly concerned about comparing the theories of neoliberalism and neorealism with specific focus on certain valid areas, it can be ascertained that these two specific theories usually got appeared from different fields. Justifiably, the neorealism theory is connected to politics, power and security. On the other hand, the theory of neoliberalism relates to the field of economy as well as trade. It is worth mentioning in this similar concern that in terms of security, the neoliberalism theory indicates developing strong economic base and preserving international relations within the powerful states throughout the globe. On a further note, the above discussed two theories also get compared based on other significant aspects including balance of power, cooperation, international system and states’ acting as a role player. Specially mentioning, formation and development of the US-Iran relations that led towards the establishment of the Iran Nuclear agreement with the US certainly represents the evolution of neoliberalism theory in the modern day context. Thus, in conclusion, it can be inferred that the neoliberalism theory differs from the neorealism theory in terms of structure, approaches and procedures among others. References Harvey, David. A Brief History of Neoliberalism: Oxford University Press, 2005. Hellmann, Gunther and Wolf, Reinhard. “Neorealism, Neoliberal Institutionalism, and the Future of NATO”. Security Studies 3, no. 1 (Autumn 1993): 3- 43. Keohane, R, O., &, Nye, J, S., 2001. Power and Interdependence. New York: Longman. Lebow, Richard Ned. Coercion, Cooperation, and Ethics in International Relations: Taylor & Francis, 2007. Mearsheimer, J., 1995. The False Promise of International Institutions. International Security 19 (3): 5-49. Mousavian, Seyed Hossein and Shahidsaless, Shahir. Iran and the United States: An Insider’s View on the Failed Past and the Road to Peace: Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2014. Powell, Robert. “Anarchy in International Relations Theory: The Neorealist-Neoliberal Debate”. International Organization (December 2011): 314-343. Thies, Cameron G. “Are Two Theories Better than One? A Constructivist Model of the Neorealist–Neoliberal Debate”. International Political Science Review, Vol 25, No. 2 (2004): 159–183. Viotti. International Relations and World Politics: Security, Economy, Identity, 3/E: Pearson Education India, 2007. Waltz, K., 1990. Realist thought and neorealist theory. Journal of International Affairs 44 (1): 21-38. Read More