On Liberalism and Realism of International Relations - Essay Example

On Liberalism and Realism of International Relations There are two differing point of views in the field of international relations that have distinct perspectives on the way they view international politics, diplomatic affairs, and warfare or conflict. On one side of the spectrum is the school of thought called Liberalism, and on the other side is Realism or Realpolitik political thinking. Each of their distinctive natures and rationales will be discussed further on. Liberalism holds that the concepts of morality, friendship, mutual cooperation, and also altruism as factors can influence the behavior in international relations.

“Liberalism also holds that international politics can be a non-zero-sum game, that it is possible to have win-win situations in which gains of one or more countries do not have to come at the expense of others” (Rourke & Boyer 20). For example, the establishment of the United Nations was meant for all countries to cooperate for mutual gain with each other. Liberalism believes humans have a mutual bond that they can draw on to identify with and forge ties with people around the world. Realism sees that international politics is moved by an ever competitive agenda of self-interest among nations.

Realists believe that the decisive dynamic among countries is a struggle for power in an effort by each to preserve or, preferably, improve its military security and economic welfare in competition with other countries (Rourke & Boyer 16). Realism views human beings as naturally divided by a form of national allegiance to their nation or to another focus of national identity such as cultural heritage or religious beliefs. A good example is Chancellor Otto von Bismarcks’s unification of Germany during the 19th century.

Bismarck unified the once shattered German nations not for the sake of the spirit of unity, but to form a single and powerful imperial nation as a great power in Western Europe.Work CitedRourke, J.T. and Boyer, M.A. Politics On the World Stage. 8th edition. Boston:  McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2010. Print.