International Relations Questions - Article Example

? International Relations Questions: Questions 3, 4, 5 and 7 Question International phenomena based on Liberalism and Realism The three main theories used in international system are constructivism, realism and idealism or liberalism. Scholars commonly use the theories to explain economical events in the international political economy. Liberalists are concerned about private enterprise while constructivists are much concerned about wealth, political and material interactions of actors in the system. This section uses realism theory to explain relationships among state and non-state actors in the international system. Realism is based on the idea that the international system exists according to the Hobbestian state of nature, which is anarchic and brutal. There is no centralized authority in the system. The influential states have powers that they use to subjugate the poor and powerless in the system. The paper evaluates three supranational regimes in order to understand the theory in detail. States agree to form governments that control internal affairs. It is not surprising that any sovereign state has the power to enforce and prescribe laws. These powers are limited in the international system because there is no Leviathan that controls the activities of all members. The manner in which African states and other developing countries conduct politics is a matter of great concern when it comes to the issue of classical realism. From liberalists’ point of view, the drives to power and will to dominate is based on liberty in which peoples’ freedom to determine the nature of politics is given priority in the society. According to Kenneth Waltz and Wendt, people are free to elect the leader they want. They are also at liberty to contribute to the government without restrictions. Neorealist focuses on the international system in which states are considered as the key actors. This theory argues that for the international system to achieve national security, nations should be prepared for permanent conflict. States use economic and military build up to achieve national security. Waltz (29) argue that in classical realism, human nature is considered as a vita determinant of national interest unlike in the neorealist in which the structure of international anarchy is considered as a vital determinant of national interest. The difference between classical realism and neo-realism is based on how they view the causes of conflict in international relations. Classical realism view unchanging human nature and self-interest as the major causes of conflict in international relations while neo-realism consider state anarchy as the major cause of conflict in international relations (Harrison 89). Question 3: Persistent underdevelopment The dependency theory is utilized in international relations to predict dependency in third world countries. Dependency has been defined as a condition in which the growth and expansion of an economy is conditioned or determined by growth and expansion of another economy. This means that a dependent state cannot experience a self-sustaining development that is; it cannot be self-reliant because its economy is a reflection of the developed state’s economy. The process of dependency is sustained by foreign aid including technical assistance and military aid. The aid does not enhance the economy but it strengthens dependency relations. The aid further marginalizes the dependent countries since they create permanent debts. Marxists argue that neither mercantilism nor liberalism guarantee human happiness this is because the owners of the means of production control the markets whereas the state is the property of the elite. It therefore postulates that people should determine their own destiny through collectivization of interests (Allen and Thomas 69). Liberalism argues that politics and economics have no relationship whatsoever. The market according to liberalists is self-regulating because it operates on its internal logics. It claims that the market offers a diversity of options where consumers whether rich or poor will be accommodated. Dependency on the other hand postulates that the market is the property of the rich, which is used to perpetuate the poor. Liberalism suggests that consumers and producers require each other to the extent that producers will only make available those goods and services that consumers require from time to time. Consumers and producers check each to arrive at a win-win situation. Dependency is against this market logic because of monopolization. The rich exploit the poor because they produce goods cheaply and make their prices unaffordable by the poor. Workers produce things that they cannot afford (Burnell and Randall 223). Liberal thinkers do emphasize that economic activities that are left to the market will spur growth and development because a market environment nurtures competition through enhanced quality. Those that are unable to keep up with the pace are eased out, as stronger providers will replace them. This guarantees mass happiness due to flexibility while at the same time it offers an opportunity for societies to realize rapid economic development. Dependency has a separate opinion. It argues that competition is fair since the owners of the means of production develop some mechanisms that make it hard for the poor to compete in the market. The poor are left with no option but to provide cheap labor. Basing on the above, I do not find the theory convincing (Szirmai 219). Question 4: U.S Foreign Policy Foreign refers to the external environment of the state. Policy is a course of action that a state or an organization intends to do. Foreign policy is concerned with instruments applied in interacting with other states. They include the guideline and strategies meant to achieve the interests of a state externally. Policies made should be goal oriented; they aim for something positive especially in matters of national security. Instruments applied can be diplomatic, economic, cultural or military. Diplomatic instruments consist of recognition and withdrawal of recognition, recalling of ambassadors, establishing diplomatic offices, applying travel bans, state visits and invitation of state visits (Paterson Clifford and Maddock 75). Economic instruments pertain to foreign aid, slapping of economic sanctions, trade agreements and trade boycotts. The state can as well apply military instruments such as engaging in war, forming military alliances and offering military assistance. Psycho-cultural instruments relate to mass media (print and broadcast), academic scholarships such as Fulbright, cultural visit exchange and establishment of cultural centers. Foreign policy instruments determine the privilege a country gets from other powerful states. The United States have been proposing strong relations among states especially those around Middle East. Question 5: Neo-Liberalist and Realist Conflict resolution Human beings have the capacity of creating peace by peacefully resolving conflicts, contract to what some people belief that they aggressive and troublesome in nature. People engage in war not because they intend to but because of the pressure from some external force such as the state or generals in military. The idea to brand human beings as warlike creatures comes from writers, which is not the true status of human life. The human potential for creating peace is underestimated (Fry 2). Conflict therefore can be viewed as divergence in interests; it is a condition where people have multiple desires. Neo-liberalists believe in methods of attaining resolution in conflicts such as the use of international organizations such as the UN, integration and democratization. The use of international bodies usually intervenes in the war or conflict at hand and prevents further bloodshed while engaging warring teams to negotiation. Moreover, there is quest for democracy for long lasting peace. On the contrary, Realists argue that there must be a balance of power in a country in order to avoid any conflict. Balance of power means that every part of the country feels that it is part of the government within the country. With balance of power comes with increased communication and understanding thereby avoiding any looming conflict. This strategy seems to be the most appealing conflict resolution strategy compared to the neo-liberalist strategy. However, in cases where there is no balance of power, the neo-liberalist approach is bets applied. Question 7: Women Marginalization and empowerment The movements have gone an extra mile by fighting gender inequalities in law and culture. Women were perpetually pushed to the periphery during the dark ages where they could not access education and subsequent employment. They relied on men virtually for everything even as they were treated like children. Education was reserved for male children who were believed to be replacements of the old guard. Women were not trusted with leadership since conservatives believed that women were generally betrayers (Krolokke 61). They were not exposed to education since they could rise up to demand for opportunities in the society. Jobs related to security were purely for men, men were believed to be strong both mentality and physically. They could withstand all forms of temptations pertaining to war. This was a fallacy since current militaries and police services have plenty of women, some serving in high positions without being compromised by their gender. The women movements have tried to pressure governments to revisit national policies about employment. Women have good ratios in recruitment including military (Garb 109). Women movements especially in Africa have managed to do away with socio-cultural practices that were against women. One such practice is female genital mutilation; it used to cause pain and suffering too many young women, leading to diseases and deaths. Women were forced to undergo cutting which in itself aimed at achieving nothing for them. Men argued that mutilated women are less active sexually and can be faithful to their husbands. Men were allowed to exercise polygamy meaning that they could marry several women and still have concubines. Women were not allowed to have other relationships unless with authority from their husbands. This was meant to culminate women by treating them as tools for use. They were controlled in all aspects of life; women had no independence over their own bodies. The movements have cleaned up all the mess and men are being held accountable just like women. Works Cited Allen, Tim, and Thomas, Alan. Poverty and Development. London, UK: Oxford University Press. 2000. Print. Burnell, Peter and Randall, Vicky. Politics in the Developing World. London, UK: Oxford University Press. 2008. Print. Fry, David. The Human Potential for Peace: An Anthropological Challenge to Assumptions About War and Violence, University and University of Michigan: Oxford University Press. 2006. Garb, Paula. Central Asian Survey: The View from Abkhazia of South Ossetia ablaze. Central Asian survey. 28.2 (2009). Harrison, Roberts. War and the state: The theory of international politics. New York, NY: University of Michigan Press. 2007. Print. Krolokke, Charlotte and Sorensen Ann. From Suffragettes to Grrls’ in Gender Communication Theories and Analyses: From Silence to Performance, Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. 2005. Paterson, Thomas, Clifford, Gary and Maddock, Shane. American foreign relations: A history, to 1920, Volume 1. Florence, KY: Cengage learning. 2009. Print. Szirmai, Adam. The Dynamics of Socio-Economic Development: An Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2005. Print. Waltz, Kenneth. Man, the state, and war: A theoretical analysis. London: Columbia University Press. 2001. Print. Read More