Cuba and United States Relations

This school of thought focuses on ways in which power affects the international arena by assessing how states influence each other as the most important actors in world politics. Realpolitik pays attention to political power matters such as military preparedness and industrial capacities, ignoring issues of morality, ideology and other social aspects as reasons for actions of states. In this way, realism sets up a strong framework for understanding short-term, interstate relationships, yet leaves the comprehension of deeper, long-term issues weak in the background. Power politics maintains that human nature is generally selfish. This belief comes from their understanding of the trends in international relations.

Realists suppose that states must endeavour to conquer as many resources as achievable for their national security. Realists believe that interactions between states are decided by their might based on their militaries and financial strength. Further, assumption that there is a common distrust of long-standing collaboration or coalition leads to their fundamental political condition of Anarchy. Revolutionist on the other hand may be described more specifically as those who keenly trust in the ethical ... ... middle of paper ... ...ds rationalism obtained its well-liked, most accepted meaning and reached its fundamental political condition of international society which is ideal and relies upon obligations and priori reasoning. To conclude, the three traditions of international theory (realism, rationalism, and revolutionist) developed unique fundamental political conditions based on the circumstances and challenges faced by the states in the course of time.

As the "principal actor" in the international system the state is primarily concerned with its own survival in a hostile and anarchic world. The state will attempt to amass as many resources as possible to build up its strength. This help ensure that it remains sovereign, and "promotes" the interests of its supporters who are the individuals who make up the state. This is like the quote where a ruler will amass as much power as possible to both stay in power and stay relevant to their supporters by promoting the interests of their supporters. Since a state is basically a group of people the ruler is also a person, however because they are the decision maker of the state they function as a rational actor promoting the interest of the state.

According to the Realists, because states (especially the most powerful) are the actual decision makers in intergovernmental organizations, the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other U.S. alliances act only according to the ideas of the United States and other powerful countries. These entities do not make real decisions without U.S. approval and, thus, act simply as extensions of U.S. foreign p... ... middle of paper ... ...nt demonstrates a country’s need to protect its territorial integrity amidst world anarchy, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs illustrates the important role of fulfilling safety needs in order to self-actualize, and recent attacks on U.S. soil reveal the real threat to American national security that remains today. If the United States is to continue to be a world superpower, it must ensure that American values, lives, property, and way of life are in no way undermined. One can see that making national security its primary goal in foreign policy will help the United States make certain that it continues to be a formidable force in world politics. --------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] All information on Maslow’s hierarchy is from a Yahoo word search: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Although the threats can be merely perceived there is always the possibility of one state gaining more power than other states, in which states, in order to survive, must look on to external collaboration such as alliances for protection. By creating these alliances they are balancing the power in the international system, by either challenging the status quo of the stronger or more powerful state, or simply maintaining the status quo. Levy explains that the alliances are stronger when the offense has the advantage, meaning, offensive tactic will continue to be used in order to maintain a state in power, thus continue the cycle of war. So one can then conclude “ offense s the best defense” (Levy 2013).

Although states are still the ultimate power source, it is important to accept the fact that the idea of sovereignty is changing with globalism. - However, for more than the majority of the weaker states, they are under the influence of these strong states - domestic policies are very important to consider in order to see the big picture In the 16th and 17th century, the idea of a sovereign state focused on establishing legitimacy of a single domestic authority (O’Neil and Rogowski 68). The government was expected to have a total control over its domestic affairs. Therefore, it was expected that no state had the “right to intervene in the internal affairs of another” (O’Neil and Rogowski 69). The original establishment of the idea of state and sovereignty developed over the concept of a government having an overarching political power over its territory.

However, I believe more strongly in the system that authorizes me and my fellow citizens to check, influence, and remove that government either by voting or through means otherwise contemplated by the Founding Fathers and implicitly granted by the Constitution. Based on this distrust, can they protect me? The United States has become the most powerful nation in the world by most recognized measures. The strength of this country comes from... ... middle of paper ... ...tions the President believes necessary for the nation’s defense and security. The theory of our government is that the will of the people shall prevail over the power of the government; this is appropriate only if all participants know what they are doing.

There are many changes which have come about that may challenge the core values of Realism such as Globalization, a decrease in war/conflict or formations of higher bodies such as the EU. Whilst there are several variants of Realism each with slightly different ideas, all forms of Realism share the same values of statism, survival and self help. Statism is the idea that the main actors within international relations are the sovereign states and that there is no community beyond state boarders. States are only interested in increasing their own national security and gaining power. Due to the international system being anarchic, there is no sovereign body to limit the ways in which states go about gaining power.

Defense Policy The United States of America is one of the most powerful countries in the world. This power is a direct result of the careful planning of policies that will govern the direction that the country goes. An effective defense policy is very important in assuring the safety of the citizens in the country and assuring a commanding position within the international community. In accordance, it is important that the United States should adopt a defense policy, so that they seek to form a coalition of strong allies in which they are the sole superpower so that in essence, they may control the whole international community. Before being able to actively pursue this defense policy and act powerful, we must make ourselves powerful.

We all have experienced the inefficiencies of the present form of government. We are in a unique position to answer the most important political question of all: ¬ "whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice." If we are up to the challenge, our actions will have great worldwide significance. The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State governments, in times of peace and security. The proposed model of power provides reliable protection from the authorities.