Answers on history (Liberalism, State Sovereignty, Marxism, The Cold War) - Essay Example

Liberalism The term liberalism has its roots in the Age of enlightenment in the eighteenth century. The intellectual and philosophical developments of that age aspired towards governmental consolidation, centralization and primacy of the nation-state, and greater rights for common people. . Its core was a critical questioning of traditional institutions, customs, and morals. The topic modern liberalism is so wide and consists of political, economical, cultural, and social aspects. It emphasizes the rights of individual and equality of opportunities and freedom of thoughts and the freedom of expression of ideas. Enlightenment thinkers believed that systematic thinking might be applied to all areas of human activity. Its leaders believed they could lead their states to progress after a long period of tradition, irrationality, superstition, and tyranny which they imputed to the Middle Ages. The movement helped create the intellectual framework for the American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. A variety of 20th century movements, including liberalism and neo-classicism, traced their intellectual heritage back to the Enlightenment Modern Liberalism can protect human rights of every individual and thereby it can provide equal social and economical opportunities to all. Free trade through regional trade blocs is another contribution of liberalization. European Union (EU) is the best example for that. This type of coordination can reduce tension and can improve the socialisation and relationship between countries. Even the conflicts between the member countries can be rectified through such cooperation. The problem relating to one country will affect indirectly the other countries in the cooperation and hence they will take necessary steps to provide such solutions for the conflicts between the member countries. Ref: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism. New thinking The world should be grateful to former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev who is responsible for ending the cold war between U.S. and Soviet Union and thereby started a new way of thinking which is revolutionising the modern world. Perestroika and Glasnost, the two revolutionary policies adopted by Gorbachev though resulted in the splitting up Union of Soviet Republic, it contributed immensely to the new thinking. Gorbachevs foreign policy, which he called "new thinking", also contributed to the Cold Wars end. In his opinion security was a game from which all could benefit through co-operation. Rather than try to build as many nuclear weapons as possible, he proclaimed a doctrine of "sufficiency", holding only a minimal number of weapons for protection. Earlier the intense cold war between these two countries overlooked all the other social and political matters in order to establish their own superiority in each and every filed. The interference of U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan raise concerns even though the U.S. has its own reasons for that. Lot of political analyst thinks that the destruction of Soviet Union has contributed for the above situation. Because of the new thinking the Russian people are now enjoying more freedom in every aspects of their life. The arms race has been ended. Not only had the Russian people, the international community also benefited from the new thinking. Earlier the polarisation towards a superpower was the only way for other weak countries for survival. Now such habits are considerably reduced and each country was concentrating more on their social and economical growth through the benefits of liberalization and globalization. At the same time the monopoly of America is more and more evident in international affairs now and they are exploiting the situation well. Collective Security Collective security is a type of coalition building strategy in which a group of nations agree not to attack each other. They also agree to defend each other against an attack from one of the others, if such an attack is made.  They work on the principle that "an attack against one is an attack against all." It differs from "collective defence" which is a coalition of nations which agree to defend its own group against outside attacks.  Thus NATO and the Warsaw Pact were examples of collective defence, while the UN is an attempt at collective security. Collective security in other words, is another way to maintain peace. Collective security is a much more effective approach to security than individual countries trying to act alone, as weaker countries cannot possibly defend themselves, and countries that try often become involved in never-ending arms races which actually reduce their security over the long term. Collective security arrangements encourage international cooperation. Although the UN got bogged down in the superpower conflict during the cold war, now that that era has ended, many observers expect and hope that the UN will become a much more effective actor in protecting the security of its members. The recent best example of collective security is visible in the American intrusion in Iraq. All the member of NATO also joined hands with America in attacking Iraq. They called it as a war against a common enemy who have nuclear and chemical weapons for mass destruction. Thus collective security can sometimes be misused by super powers to conquer weak countries to exploit their wealth. Although they are pledged to defend each other, many countries will refuse to do so, if such an act is not in their own best interests or is thought to be too risky or expensive.  In addition, it has been argued, collective security arrangements will turn small struggles into large ones, and prevent the use of alternative (nonviolent) problem solving, relying instead on the much more costly approach of military confrontation.  In addition, there is always a danger that alliances formed for the purposes of collective security can also service as a basis for an aggressive coalition. Many politicians who view the system as having faults also believe it remains a useful tool for keeping international peace. Ref: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_security State Sovereignty Sovereignty is the exclusive right to control a government, a country, a people, or oneself. A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority. State sovereignty defines the interstate relations, the competence, independence, and legal equality of states. The freedom of choice of states in cultural, economic and social matters is not unlimited; it depends on developments in international law and international relations. In modern world especially in the era of Globalization, it is accepted that an entry visa is not required for cultural, economic and environmental influences. Technology has reduced the border barrier considerably. A person staying in India can work for the American companies without any work permit or other formalities. The equality in legal status of sovereignty offers protection for weak states. Sovereignty carries with it primary responsibilities for states to protect persons and property and to discharge the functions of government adequately within their territories. The American intrusion into the sovereignty of Iraq is the best example.The reasons cited for the interventions in Iraq mostly were, to fight against terrorism, to protect human rights, to protect women and child from abuses, Saddam’s intervention in Kuwait, Saddam’s collection of nuclear and chemical weapons which is a threat to global peace, Saddam’s attack over “Kurds” etc... Now everything is clear to the world. No chemical or nuclear weapons found out from Iraq so far.Saddam is no more and still there is no peace in Iraq. America has intruded into the territories of Iraq without the approval of U.N. Security Council. The same Security Council has given approval for the intrusion after the intervention. This approval itself is a proof for the inefficiency and double standards of the Security Council. Not only the Security Council failed in preventing American intrusion in Iraq, but it gave approval for that after the intervention. The deadline of the approval given by Security Council to the American troops to stay back in Iraq will be ended on December 31, 2008. America and the toy government in Iraq are trying to extend the deadline for 3 more years for mutual benefits. America wanted to exploit the wealth of Iraq and the toy government need the security of American troops. There are challenges also. The status of sovereign equality is effective only for states where there is stability, peace and order. States are legally responsible for the performance of their international obligations, and state sovereignty therefore cannot be an excuse for their non performance. Incapacity of certain states to effectively exercise authority over their territories and populations is another problem. Somalia is the best example for this. Repressive, aggressive, or collapsed states may result in threats to international peace and security. Another challenge to traditional state sovereignty emerges from the changing balance between states and people as the source of legitimacy and authority. Sovereignty is a key constitutional safeguard of international order. Ref: - .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sovereignty Marxism Marxism is the political philosophy and practice derived from the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Any political practice or theory that is based on an interpretation of the works of Marx and Engels may be called Marxism. Marxists believe that capitalism is the result of exploitation of workers by the rich owners of the means of production. They believe that Marxism will put an end to the class system and will bring socialism and equality. Marxist international relations theories are reject the liberal view of state conflict or cooperation; instead they are focusing on the economic and material aspects. Karl Marx largely confined himself to analysing power structures within countries (class struggle, dialectics, materialism, modes and relations of production, surplus value etc), saying very little about how the workings of capitalism work internationally. The failure of Marxism in Soviet Union is a big setback for them. The allies of Soviet Union also relieved from communism after the splitting of Soviet Union. China and Cuba are the main hope for the believers of communism.Marxist writers talk about, economics, companies, exploitation, class, and so on. Though they are giving ideas which are interesting to read but in practice these ideas will not be materialised. In some ways that makes Marxism look like it is from a completely different discipline to "true" International Relations. Marxism is important in that it explodes the idea that states are unitary actors working for the good of all their citizens. Marxism is probably more relevant to International Relations because of the questions it asks rather than the answers it provides. Others have taken those questions and answered them in ways that go beyond anything Marx would have envisaged. Ref: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxist The Cold War In diplomatic terms there are three types of war, Hot War, Warm War and the Cold War. “The Cold War was the state of conflict, tension and competition that existed between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies from the mid-1940s to the early 1990s. The main reason for cold war was the difference in ideology prevailed in the two countries. America followed the democratic methods while Soviet Union Embraced Communism. Truman’s dislike of Stalin, Russia’s fear of the Americans atomic bomb, Russia’s dislike of capitalism, Russia’s actions in the Soviet zone of Germany, America’s refusal to share nuclear secrets, Russia’s expansion west into Eastern Europe + broken election promises, Russia’s fear of American attack, Russia’s need for a secure western border, Russia’s aim of spreading world communism were some of the reasons for the cold war. Former Soviet president Gorbachev will be remembered ever as the person responsible for ending cold war between America and Soviet Union though Ronald Reagan also contributed to it. The famous strategy, Perestroika and Glasnost adopted by Gorbachev though resulted in the splitting up of Soviet Union, it contributed the world by ending the cold war. The end of cold war resulted the end of communism in a lot of countries and thereby people started to breath the air of freedom. The end of cold war was a relief to other countries who polarised with one of the superpowers. Previously their main attention was to execute the orders received from these superpowers. Now are concentrating more for their economic developments through the gates of Globalization and Liberalization. Ref: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War Globalization Globalization is described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and function together. The world under one roof was a dream earlier especially at the time of cold war. Now through Globalization and Liberalization people are dreaming about such a world. Globalization is the process enabling financial and investment markets to operate internationally. Out sourcing jobs from developed countries, which is a product of globalization is a big relief for the unemployed youths of poor countries. World trade markets are open to anybody and there are no barriers for businessmen to establish their organizations in the country of their interest. Now, at the time of writing this article the problem of Globalization is experienced by almost all the countries. Americas 700 trillion debts are creating big problems in other countries as well. This is because major organizations in other countries have invested a lot in American companies through the gates of Globalization and Liberalization. Almost all the international share markets are performing their lowest best nowadays because of the financial crisis in America. Each country, is now taking so many steps to stabilize and consolidate the share markets. And regardless of whether it works for good or ill, globalization will continue to be the subject of debate among those who oppose, support or simply observe it. If utilized properly Globalization has more positives than negatives. But the utilization should be done in such a way that it should not affect the local profitable public sector companies. Limits should be set to the utilization of Globalization and Liberalization. A public agency should monitor and control the activities of private MNC’s. Ref: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization. The UN Security Council “The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the branch of the United Nations charged with the maintenance of international peace and security The Security Council has five permanent members, United States, Great Britain, France, Soviet Union, and China. The Security Council can investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international dispute. The Council may "recommend appropriate procedures or methods of adjustment" if it determines that the situation might go worst. For example the council can appoint international peace keeping forces at the agitated area. Security Council has power to investigate any situation threatening international peace. Though the council failed in its main aim of preventing aggression most of the times, but succeeded in providing for stability and peace within states, for example in nation-building, prosecuting war crimes, peacekeeping, dismantling apartheid, alleviating serious humanitarian crises, and helping to resolve civil wars etc… The end of the cold war brought a new era in international politics that had the potential for creating a more cooperative and peaceful world. At the heart of this ‘new world order’ was to be the United Nations Security Council, which would finally be able to fulfill its obligations. The recent involvement of UN Security Council is in the Iran-America issue. Security Council asked Iran to suspend uranium enrichment by 31 August or face possible economic, diplomatic sanctions. The Security Council, seriously concerned that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was still unable to provide assurances about Iran’s undeclared nuclear material and activities after more than three years, and demanded that Iran suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, and gave it one month to do so or face the possibility of economic and diplomatic sanctions to give effect to its decision Ref: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council Read More