ipl-logo

Interstate Co-Operation Essay

740 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Strengths and weaknesses of realism and liberalism in different perspective

Interstate co-operation stands at the summit of accomplishment for Idealist in the field of international relations. The study of idealism can be traced back to the work of nineteenth century scholar Immanuel Kant. Idealism can be stated as the philosophy that examines current situations in the world and seeking ways in which it can be improved in the future (Kegley 2009). Needless to say, there exist variations to this school of thought that has evolved over time, two such strains are, Utopia- a term used to express the desire or vision of an alternative way that is better than what exist at the present time and Internationalism- the name used to refer to the principle of co-operation amongst states for the benefit of all (Bull 1969). …show more content…

Liberalism is thus an amalgamation of ideologies (idealism, internationalism and utopianism) that surfaced after the tumult of the late eighteenth century with the rise of a knowledgeable middle class who demanded political representation …show more content…

Realist view human nature as selfish and cannot be trusted. The most important actor to the realist is the state and thus realist advocate the pursuit of states and its interest (Burchill, Linklater, Devetak et al, 2005). The historical beginnings of realism can be traced back to Thucydides in ancient Greece and the Peloponnesian war, he believed “the strong do as they will and the weak suffer as they must”. Realism as a paradigm continued to flourish in the sixteenth century with Italian philosopher Niccolo-Machiavelli and seventeenth century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes believed in self reliance and state power (Kegley, 2009). Despite the difference in time the unifying theme throughout the teachings of realism is a continuous, struggle for power where the strong dominate the weak, and leaders seek armaments and alliances to enhance their national security (Ibid ). Realist do not share the normative view of the idealist that man is inherently good , but instead hold strongly to the believe that people are selfish by nature and unable to emancipate themselves from their natural drive to seek their own self interest even at the expense of others, as such they cannot be trusted

Show More
Related
989 Words | 4 Pages

Realism, in its most general form, closely ties power and survival, explaining that there cannot be survival without power, and that the state consists of rational thinkers that have this is at their best interest and who act as one. The main contributors to the theory of realism include Thucydides, Machiavelli and Hobbes. Thucydides’ contribution to the theory of realism lies mostly in one of the earliest scholarly works in history, History of the Peloponnesian War, which

Read More
228 Words | 1 Pages

While the realists try to make broad, sweeping statements that sound like they could be logical but that in fact are merely bandwagon-type statements designed to sound good without proving their point, Walzer pointedly identifies all of the faulty logic in their arguments, their attempts at covering up their own inhumanity with shallow excuses, and the real truth about their justifications that they

Read More
216 Words | 1 Pages

As the presidential election quickly approaches, it is easy to see ideas of both Liberalism and Realism in political parties. With Donald Trump making promises of stricter immigration and giant walls, a large movement of people believing in power and self-preservation now seek to "Make America Great Again. " This example of Realism stands in direct opposition to Hillary Clinton 's liberal message of peace and unity. I mention the election because it often makes me question how such contrasting beliefs can exist after 200 years as a sovereign state.

Read More
682 Words | 3 Pages

Mike Doyle explores liberalism in his article “Liberalism and World Politics.” He breaks his article down using three forms of liberalism: liberal pacifism (citing works of Schumpeter), liberal imperialism (citing Machiavelli), and liberal internationalism (citing Kant). Doyle takes a Kantian approach (focusing on Kant’s Perpetual Peace) to the situation and analyzes at the state level, utilizing more of a 2nd level analysis. Doyle makes statements that suggest that liberal states have caused a large number of wars, and that liberal states tend to attack weak non-liberal states while at the same time they remain leery of other strong non-liberal states. He describes three “definitive articles” of peace, that revolve around the civil constitution

Read More
836 Words | 4 Pages

In 2003 the United States was ran under the administration of George W. Bush. During his term there was an invasion of Iraq initiated due to a security threat posed by Iraq, with the intent to eliminate these so call weapons of mass destruction that Iraq threatened to use against us, as well as ensuring that there will be a stable oil supply in the west (Mingst 2014,100). Realist see the international system as anarchic, where there is no authority that can stop them, since realism focuses a lot on how power in distributed its safe to say that the theory of realism best explains the cause of war. Realism is defined as a theory of international relations that emphasizes states interest in accumulating power to ensure security in an anarchic

Read More
902 Words | 4 Pages

The theory unleashes such dynamic forces that from the time of its inception up till now it has governed the international system of the world however things one day itself fall apart. The Realists mark the State as the locus of different international circles and these sovereign states have vested interests which are always selfish. Realism is a heartless theory, man is not supposed to be selfish in the way exaggerated by the Realist thinker however [he] is a seeker of knowledge and what so ever he stumbles upon, he keeps

Read More
958 Words | 4 Pages

This means there is no term mentioned as an International Organization but merely the State. Realism also believes the State is deciding on the future of the people. In connection with it, the state is certainly confident that whatever actions are correct and appropriate, even if it is done by means

Read More
897 Words | 4 Pages

Idealists see realism as a set of assumptions about how and why states behave like they do, rather than a theory of foreign relations. They strongly criticise the realist thesis that the struggle for power and security is natural. They reject such a fatalistic orientation claiming that power is not natural, and simply a temporary phase of human history. They believe that by adhering completely and consciously to moral values moral values in behaviour, power struggle and war can be eliminated.

Read More
795 Words | 4 Pages

Classical realism and structural realism are both theories of International Relations, therefore huge differences are noticed in between those two. The main difference lies in the motivation to power, which is seen differently by both theories. Classical realism is concentrated in the desire of power- influence, control and dominance as basic to human nature. Whereas, structural realism is focused on the international system anarchic structure and how the great powers behave. Classical realists believe that power is related to human nature, thus their analysis of individuals and states is similar.

Read More
1482 Words | 6 Pages

Realism has been the prevailing hypothesis of world governmental issues subsequent to the start of scholastic global relations. The hypothesis was made known after the First World War when realists got in a civil argument with the optimism for the result of the war. The romantics concentrated more on comprehension the reason for war to discover a solution for its presence. Here came the realists who overlooked the part of force and overestimated the extent to which the country states shared an arrangement of regular intrigues and were excessively hopeful that mankind could defeat the scourge of war. This hypothesis gives the most effective clarification to the condition of war what is the normal state of life in the universal framework.

Read More
935 Words | 4 Pages

Realists have also portrayed their own thesis in relation to the theory of democratic peace and explained that this theory’s assumptions like their peaceful predisposition, democracies, decentralized power distribution should affirm when faced with interest conflicts with states that are non-liberal (Jervis, 2002). However, a monadic view, where the liberal nations should peacefully act with other liberal nations, theory of democratic peace assumptions have been seen as hollow, aiding the view of neo-realists security competition in the context of global relations anarchic arena. Few realists like Jervis (2002) have attributed the peace of democracy between democratic countries because of the blanket of security provided by U.S.A, since the end of the World War II.

Read More
1938 Words | 8 Pages

The current work is meant to explain the differences and similarities between the most dominant theories in international relations, Realism and Liberalism, both theories have some similarities and differences but much more important and interesting is to discuss and explain what differs and makes similar both theories. Conflicts and wars, Similarities and differences between Realism and Liberalism: Both Liberalism and Realism believes that there is no world government that can prevent countries to go to war on one another. For both theories military power is important and both Realism and Liberalism can understand that countries can use military power to get what they need or want. Also, both theories are conscious that without military

Read More
1549 Words | 7 Pages

Introduction The manner in which liberalism is understood would differ according to what theory or ideology is being explained under. Liberals take a positive view regarding the human nature, they contend that individuals are self-centered and compete with each other and they certainly share a lot of things together, this is one of the reasons why the individual is important in a society they help in maintaining the state and how the states will cooperate with each other. In this assignment I am going to elaborate the difference between liberalism as an ideology and liberalism as a theory in international relations, I will also describe contemporary development in international relations that links up with liberalism. Institutional liberalism

Read More
1381 Words | 6 Pages

The international relations schools of thought known as Realism and Idealism identify specific and similar characteristics of actors in the conceptual development of their theories. While many of these characteristics can be generalized as being synonymous with the two theories, both theories make a separate distinction in what specifically constitutes an actor. In Realism, the term “actor” refers directly and solely to the state: a combination of government, leaders, decision-makers, etc, that act as a unitary entity to promote the interests of the state. Idealists, however, expand on what constitutes an actor to include both the state and people. Not only do the principles of Idealism assert that the state and people should be considered actors, in fact, both they must be viewed as actors.

Read More
927 Words | 4 Pages

Jager (2015) defines idealism as a theory that states that our reality is shaped by our thoughts and ideas. Realism on the other hand deals with the fact that reality has an absolute existence independent from our thoughts, ideas and even consciousness. This essay intends to contrast idealism and realism that is outlining the differences between the two theories. The first part is the comparison of the two theories, the second part discusses the differences between the theories with examples to elaborate. In conclusion the essay purpose that the reader is able to differentiate with a clear understanding of the two theories in the context of international relations.

Read More

More about Interstate Co-Operation Essay

Related Topics

Open Document