International Relations - Essay Example

Almost a hundred years on, and in the increasing globalized world, the International relations scholars must mainly focus on cooperation University: Course: Tutor: Date: Introduction International relations is a branch of political sciences that deals with the study of relations between states especially in the formulation of foreign policy of a country. According to Trevor Taylor (1979), international relations is a discipline that tries to understand the politics that occur beyond the country borders. Joseph (1999) defines international relations as the study of the forms of relations that exist among nations within the international political system. The outbreak of the First World War and increasing complexity of contracts among states especially military alliances gave the impetus for the study of international relations as a distinct discipline. International relations encompass other disciplines such as history, geography, culture, international law and philosophy. In 1919, international relations discipline began with the question of why wars were occurring. Historians, political philosophers and international lawyers have recognised international relations as a separate discipline that dates back to the end of the First World War (Lawson 2012). Early international relations scholars such as Camille Bloch of France and Pokrovsky of Russia believed global peace could only be attained if the existing balance of powers could be transformed in to a collective global security (Lawson 2012). However, the outbreak of conflicts shook classical diplomacy and surprised the scholars who had earlier thought that use of force was necessary in maintaining a global balance of power (Gaddis 1986). There were numerous concerns about the human cost of the conflicts and the effectiveness of secret treaties. The first scholars of international relations began at seeking answers on causes of the conflicts and how new international order could be crafted in order to ensure nations obliged to the principles especially the League of Nations (Kofman and Youngs 2003. Thesis statement: With the increasing globalisation, International relations scholars should focus attention on cooperation rather than conflicts. Theories of international relations Some of the theories that have been advanced for international relations include liberalism, English school, Marxism theory, Constructivism theory, feminism theory and later green political theory. Liberalism theory The next theory of international law was liberalism theory. Liberalism shaped nations in to industrial societies and advocated for a lien government, political freedom, liberty, human rights and democracy (Taylor 2005). Liberalism thinking shaped international relations in Russia since it led to the demise of Soviet Communism in early 1990s. Fukuyama claimed that the Western forms of government and international relations were more ideal for Russia since liberal democracy and capitalism would reduce the ongoing tensions between Russia and the Western powers (Coker 2002). However, the events of 9/11 forced many liberals to rethink their approach to international relations since Islamic militancy was increasingly becoming an influential revolt against Western geo-political dominance and cultural influences (Lawson 2012). The liberals concluded by asserted that elimination of war and conflicts would require preconditions for world order, free trade and democracy (Kenneth 2000). Liberalism supports both sovereignty of nation-states and also humanitarian intervention such as the Russian support of peace keeping initiatives in some of the Asian states (Tsygankov 2013). English school theory The English school of international relations asserts that sovereign states do not have to adhere with the interests of the higher powers. In this case, the theory suggests that international political system is orderly and close cooperation will lead to higher security and stable societies. Accordingly, the great powers such as Russia must take great responsibility for strengthening internal peace and security (Tsygankov 2013). However, the fragmentation of Soviet bloc and emergency of national-secessionist movements made English School scholars assert that international agreements were necessary in order to maintain order. Marxist theory Marxist international relations theory rejects the liberal and realism aspects of conflict and cooperation and focuses on material interests in explaining the international political systems (Kenneth 2000). The theory asserts that nations enter in to international relations in order to accumulate wealth through the capitalism system. Shimko (2012) asserts that developed nations enter in to strategic partnerships with developing countries in order to attain access to natural resources and foster the dependency of developing nations. In order to strengthen bilateral relations with neighboring countries, Russia has relied on cooperation in solving territorial disputes with neighboring countries such as China and Japan (Tsygankov 2013). For instance, Russia transferred an estimated 174 square kilometer of territory to China in 2008 under the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation of 2005 (Tsygankov 2013). Constructivist theory Another theory that emerged as significant approach to international relations is constructivist that is premised on the epistemology of social sciences. International relations scholars like Peter Katzenstein asserted that the structure of international relations is determined by shared ideas rather than material forces (Lawson 2012). Accordingly, the national interests and identities are construed by the shared ideas and not natural. Michael Barnett challenges neo-liberalism and neo-realism assumptions by asserting that national interests change according to cognitive structures that grant meaning to the material world (Shimko 2012). Accordingly, shared ideas include identities, threats and goals that influence the states and other non-state actors to act in a particular manner. For instance, Russia perceived the disarmament of Iraq in 2003 by the US through use of force as a threat to its bilateral relations with Iraq (Tsygankov 2013). Surprisingly, Russia threatened Britain with expulsion of the foreign officials and additional scrutiny of Britain investors for due to spying claims (Tsygankov 2013). Russia-Britain diplomatic stand-off can be construed as differences in national values since Britain is more interested in human rights, global peace and democracy unlike Russia that desires sovereignty and military power (Haynes, Pettiford, Hough and Malik 2011). Russia is also against US intention of establishing missile defense systems in European Countries such as Poland since this would be a threat to its military power and ability to invade several nations in Eastern Europe region (Tsygankov 2013). Interestingly, Russia has clarified that it can cooperate with US in implementing a strategic framework for Russia-US relations and missile defense systems in European countries since a unilateral implementation of such missile systems would decline Russian influence over its neighbors (Tsygankov 2013). Feminine theory A recent approach to international relations is feminine theory that suggests gender issues must be integrated in international relations. Accordingly, international organisations like the International Labour Organisation have implemented several policies that aim at addressing gender disparities in the workplace (Schuurman 2001). In addition, the United Nations and other non-governmental organisations have championed for the entrenchment of women rights in foreign policies. Green political theory The latest approach to international relations is the Green political theory that emerged due to environmental concerns. The theory asserts that ecological crises become interdependent and thus national economies require new energy saving technologies. International relations scholars have pointed the need for cooperation in ensuring social justice, attaining grassroots democracy and ensuring ecological responsibility among the state and other non-state actors. This approach critics realism and liberalism for ignoring industrialisation externalities and other social costs of nation-states (Sutch and Elias, 2007). According to the theory, interaction of states and cooperation is essential in mitigating the negative impacts of humanity such as environmental degradation and human right abuses. Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and actively participates in all the UN system organisations that include educational organs, scientific and refugees’ organisations. The country has ensured the economic development of the European and Asian countries through cooperation in trade, human capital training and facilitation of technology transfer and cross-border investments (Tsygankov 2013). More than 100 multilateral environmental agreements have been signed in order to combat climate change and ensure stable international political and social environment (Shimko 2012). International relations currently encompass numerous new actors such as dominant actors like international organisations that include World Trade Organisation (WTO) and non-governmental organisations like Amnesty International. In addition, the dominant relationships between the great powers have changed due to numerous trade relations and global capitalist economy. Other issues that have shaped international relations include human rights culture, transnational crimes, globalisation and the need to control arms (Taylor 2005). Certain ethical issues like the right to humanitarian intervention, respect for cultural differences and need to redistribute global wealth and power has necessitated the need of cooperation in global international relations (Taylor 2005). Russian international relations and foreign policy has shifted from conflicts to cooperation. Russia transformed from a communist economy to capitalist economy in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia also signed the NATO Partnership for Peace initiative in1994 and NATO-Russia Founding Act in order to ensure a robust partnership with other countries in ensuring security in the European region (Tsygankov 2013). Russia has contributed immensely towards international conflict resolution particularly in Kosovo conflict. Russia has also contributed troops and peace observers to NATO stabilization forces in many conflicts such as Bosnia, Moldova and Tajikistan (Tsygankov 2013). Russia is currently promoting trilateral cooperation with Iran and Iraq and will ensure that oil sanctions against Iraq are lifted in order to facilitate construction contracts worth billions of dollars (Tsygankov 2013). At the same time, cooperation with Iran will stimulate Russian manufacturing sector since Iran accounts for about 80 percent of Russian manufacturing sector revenues. Russia will in the future increase cooperation with Israel since the two countries share common cultural ties and have already signed a defense cooperation that will facilitate trade and military ties (Tsygankov 2013). Later in mid 2012, Putin, Russian president clarified that Russian approach to international relations will always remain non-confrontational and cooperative to the global processes especially in support of the United Nations Charter that grants the UN Security Council the right to determine isolated cases that necessitate the use of force (Tsygankov 2013). Conclusion International relations deal with the study of all interactions between nations, international organisations and other non-state actors. The emergency of the First World War gave scholars the impetus to study why conflicts occurred. Early theories of international relations such as realism asserted that conflicts were inevitable as states sought to fulfill self-interests through wars. Later, liberalism introduced ideals of liberty, democracy and political freedom. Constructivist theory is of the opinion that international relations are governed by shared ideas. However, later theories of international relations are focused on cooperation rather than conflicts. The increasingly globalised world requires the international relations scholars to focus more on cooperation rather than conflicts. The primary drivers of globalisation are increase in the interdependency between national economies, high integration of the financial markets, increased immigration and technological revolutions that have eliminated the location barriers in international trade. The emergency of international institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made the nations to either converge politically and economically or risk been made irrelevant international relations and diplomacy. Although economic relations are more determined by the market forces in the current free trade regime of the international markets, globalisation has weakened the ability of individual nations in regulating their own international relations approach thus calling for cooperation among nations in tackling various diplomatic issues. Globalisation has led to the end of traditional geo-politics and decline in the nation-state thus causing countries to focus more on cooperation that solving disputes through conflicts. Globalisation has led to converge in national cultures, education, language and economic interests thus leading to shared ideas such as threats and fears. The international political system should focus on cooperation rather than solving conflicts through use of force. Ethical issues like the need to ensure humanitarian aid, adhere to international human rights laws and control global terrorism has ensured that national foreign policies aim at ensuring a stable economic, social and political environment that is suitable for cross-border cooperation in trade and investments. Carr and Hans both argued that countries were cooperating in order to maximise their self-interest and protect their interests in times of conflicts (Kofman and Youngs 2003). In addition, the Wars were not based on ideology, but self-interests thus laws are essential in curtailing conflicts and wars (Kenneth 2000). Realism is not appropriate for the modern international society since it assumes that the international political system is anarchic and no actor capable of regulating the interactions of nations (Kenneth 2000). Although the states are the most essential actors in international relations, globalisation has led to emergency of international institutions like the UN Security Council that is capable of regulating the actions of states especially in conflicts that demand the use of force (Sutch and Elias, 2007). In addition, all states are not unitary since every state is integrated in an international political or economic system and must respect the interests of other states (Lawson 2012). Globalisation aims at deriving benefits to all members of the trading blocs and primary concern of the states is national security. Currently, the states are not focused on territorial expansion since international borders are clear and aggression has been controlled by the international integration in financial systems and economic systems (Kenneth 2000). Reference List: Coker, C. 2002. Globalisation and insecurity in the Twenty-first century. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Gaddis, J.L. 1986. “The long peace: elements of stability in the Postwar international system”, International security. 10 (1): 99-142. Haynes, J., PettifordL., Hough, P and Malik, S. 2011. World politics. London: Addison-Wesley Longman. Kenneth, W. 2000. “Structural realism after the Cold War”, International Security. 25(1):13-15. Kofman, E and Youngs, G. 2003. Globalisation: theory and practice. New York: Continuum. Lawson, S. 2012. International relations. New Jersey: John Wiley. Schuurman, F.J. 2001. Globalisation and development studies: challenges for the 21st century. New York: Sage. Shimko, K.L. 2012. International relations: perspectives, controversies and readings. New York: Cengage Learning. Sutch, P and Elias, J. 2007. International relations. New York: Routledge. Taylor, P. 2005. International organisation in the age of globalisation. New York: Continuum. Tsygankov, A.P. 2013. Russia’s foreign policy: change and continuity in national identity. 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