Theories Of The International System In The 21st Century

1219 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Concept of strategic leadership pdf

The international system is the structure of relationships between the actors in the global environment in the international level. The relationships between both state and non-state actors, international organizations and multi-national corporations. The international system is the ground for policymakers as they work along the process of policy making and applying the interests of their state. To cut the long story short , a person involved in the business of policy making must understand the international system to create a foreign policy that suits the interest of the people. In a way, the use of international relations (IR) theories would help in understanding the status quo and would eventually help a policy maker to create a good foreign …show more content…

The system is so complex that a single theory can’t explain the entirety of it. Though , realism could play a major part in explaining it thus, the need for other theories is essential to give answer to the lapses that were not discussed by realism. In order to explain the current international system through the aforementioned theories. It is best to know first the current state of the global system in the 21st century. The status quo in the 21st century revolves around the ideas of threat, challenges and opportunities and with that strategic leaders of 21st century are mainly concerned on the issues of foreign policy making and national security. To discussed why the international system behaved the way it does, different theories would help along the way. Each theories has different sets of assumptions and level of analysis. Some theories may analyze on a state-level basis and some would do an overall systematic approach. The most common school of thought are realism and liberalism, though there is another competing concept which is Constructivism and these theories analyzes and gives assumption to the current international system. First school of thought is realism which is the most dominant theory since WWII. To give realism a more vivid picture in 21st century, there are accounts of events which agreed upon the realist

Show More
Related

  • Critical Review: Bradley A. Thayer, Bring in Darwin: Evolutionary theory, Realism, and International Relations

    1208 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...dens the understanding of international relations and correspondingly broadens the understanding of security. Built on Thayer’s and Waltz’s theory, the paper suggests that structure of the international system is central to international security and to achieve peace, suitable strategies are necessary to balance the power relations. While it should not be ignored that the Evolution theory still falls within realism realm with many other forms of complex security problems unexplained.

    Read More

  • The Obama Doctrine: Article Analysis

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    Realism can be described as a theoretical approach used to analyze all international relations as the relation of states engaged in power (Baylis, Owens, Smith, 100). Although realism cannot accommodate non-state actors within its analysis. There are three types of realism which include classical (human

    Read More

  • What Are The Three Types Of Political Realism?

    1875 Words  | 4 Pages

    It goes all the way back to ancient Greece and BCE. Thucydides (460-411 B.C.E) wrote History of the Peloponnesian War and it has inspired scholars today and also Thomas Hobbes. History was more than just a timeline of events, it explains how decisions were made. Realism was shown in the first speech in a debate in Sparta right before the war took place. Realism is also shown in History while Thucydides explains the causes of the war. Machiavelli (1469-1527) challenged the realist tradition and created the foundation for modern politics. He talked about the “effectual truth” and how it should make the individual and country stronger. Another famous realist is Thomas Hobbes (1588-1683). Hobbes attacked the belief that humans know what is right and wrong and can make the right decisions. He also did not believe that humans are naturally social. He believed that “a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceases only in death” (Leviathan XI 2). Hobbes believed that is is every man for himself. He thought that most important thing is the relationship between the individual and state. He believed that individuals need to give up their freedom to the state and that everything would be okay. Realism appeared after World War II. States believed that there was a thing called natural harmony and everyone would be giving to one another so they signed the Kellog-Briand Pact that made war against the law to settle

    Read More

  • Nuclear Issue in the North Korea from the Eyes of Neorealism and Neoliberalism

    2055 Words  | 5 Pages

    Mearsheimer J. J. (2010). Structural Realism. International Relations Thoeries, Discipline and Diversity (Second Edition), p.77-94

    Read More

  • World Politics

    1096 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... of thought that will truly apply is now globalism. The theory was developed to fill the void that realism and idealism didn’t quite fill as they are older theories. However, I do believe that the three schools of thought can work together in our world politics, just like ideas do now. While I do think globalism fits best; I really do not think that we will ever have one school of thought that truly explains the way world politics work because they all are so different. We can take different aspects from the three to work together in order to cater the schools of thought to what we need at the time. Because even though globalism does help with the technology we have now, sometimes it is necessary to have the thoughts of needing war when it comes down to it (realism) as well as working toward world government to aid nation states working with each other (idealists).

    Read More

  • Structural Realism after the Cold War

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    The prominent scholar of Political Science, Kenneth N. Waltz, founder of neorealism, has proposed controversial realist theories in his work. Publications such as "Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis", "Theory of International Politics” and “The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate,” demonstrate how Waltz's approach was motivated by the American military power. In acquaintance of this fact, the purpose of this paper is to critically analyze Waltz theoretical argument from the journal "Structural Realism after the Cold War". Firstly, this paper will indicate the author's thesis and the arguments supporting it. Secondly, limitations found in theoretical arguments will be illustrated and thirdly, synergies between the author's thesis and this analysis will be exposed.

    Read More

  • Understanding International Relations

    1517 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... between the theory of liberalism and realism to find which one of the theory gives better explanation and prediction of the international relations. For instance, each theories would approach the explanation for the peaceful relations between Republic of Korea and Japan different. If the reason for the friendly relation between the two countries are due to the balance of power to counter the Chinese interest, this would be the perspective of the realist. But if the economic interdependence between the Japan and Korea caused the peaceful relations, this is the view of the liberalism. Contemporary society analyze certain issues of international relations with different perspective, but it is utterly important for individuals to approach issues of international relations from one perspective and approach from contrasting critic view to study international politic.

    Read More

  • Understanding International Relations Through Level of Analysis

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    Level of analysis discloses three different ways of understanding international relations. The System-level analysis considers "top-down" approach to study world politics (Rourke, 2007, p. 91). It emphasises that international actors, countries, operate in a global social-political-economic-geographic environment and the explicit characteristics of the system outlines the mode of interaction among the actors. The State-level analysis stresses the national states and their domestic practices such as national interests, interest groups, government, and domestic economy as the key determinants of the state of world affairs (Mingst, 2008). The Individual-level of analysis examines human actors on the global stage. It focuses on the human nature, which defines the primary human characteristics that influence decisions; organizational behaviour that describes human interaction within organized settings, e.g. decision-making group; and personal behaviour that investigates the effect of the uniqueness of individual decision makers on foreign policy (Rourke, 2007, p. 65).

    Read More

  • The Realist Approach to International Relations

    982 Words  | 2 Pages

    Realism is one of the important perspectives on global politics, it is a notion about the conservative society and political philosophy (Heywood 2011: 54; Shimko 2013: 36). Besides, Gilpin (1996) claims that “realism…, it is not a scientific theory that is subject to the test of falsifiability, therefore, cannot be proved and disproved.” (Frankel 1996: xiii). The components of the realist approach to international relations will be discussed.

    Read More

  • World Politics: American Hegemony

    2936 Words  | 6 Pages

    Whenever world politics is mentioned, the state that appears to be at the apex of affairs is the United States of America, although some will argue that it isn’t. It is paramount we know that the international system is shaped by certain defining events that has lead to some significant changes, particularly those connected with different chapters of violence. Certainly, the world wars of the twentieth century and the more recent war on terror must be included as defining moments. The warning of brute force on a potentially large scale also highlights the vigorousness of the cold war period, which dominated world politics within an interval of four decades. The practice of international relations (IR) was introduced out of a need to discuss the causes of war and the different conditions for calm in the wake of the first world war, and it is relevant we know that this has remained a crucial focus ever since. However, violence is not the only factor capable of causing interruption in the international system. Economic elements also have a remarkable impact. The great depression that happened in the 1920s, and the global financial crises of the contemporary period can be used as examples. Another concurrent problem concerns the environment, with the human climate being one among different number of important concerns for the continuing future of humankind and the planet in general.

    Read More

  • International System Essay

    926 Words  | 2 Pages

    Despite the international system being anarchical, it is not in a state of total chaos due to a number of significant factors such as those above. It is obvious that the current international system is highly influenced by many significant factors and some are more prominent than others. With the continued existence of international anarchy it is up to the States and the International Organisations to continue to make the decisions that are in their own best interest and to maintain order and an ever-improving way of life.

    Read More

  • Realism and Neo-Realism

    1166 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dunne, T., Kurki, M., Smith, S. (2010). Classical Realism. In International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Lebow, R. L.; New York: Oxford.

    Read More

  • International Relations Essay

    1095 Words  | 3 Pages

    The study of international relations takes a wide range of theoretical approaches. Some emerge from within the discipline itself others have been imported, in whole or in part, from disciplines such as economics or sociology. Indeed, few social scientific theories have not been applied to the study of relations amongst nations. Many theories of international relations are internally and externally contested, and few scholars believe only in one or another. In spite of this diversity, several major schools of thought are discernable, differentiated principally by the variables they emphasize on military power, material interests, or ideological beliefs. International Relations thinking have evolved in stages that are marked by specific debates between groups of scholars. The first major debate is between utopian liberalism and realism, the second debate is on method, between traditional approaches and behavioralism. The third debate is between neorealism/neoliberalism and neo-Marxism, and an emerging fourth debate is between established traditions and post-positivist alternatives (Jackson, 2007).

    Read More

  • Structural Realism and Non-State Actors

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    The rising power of transnational terrorist organizations post 9/11 has weakened the state-centric framework of the international system and challenged the structural realist’s conception of power. As one of the major theories, one would assume that the premises of structural realism would be more applicable in the 21st century. However, leaders of today are enveloping countries in a globalist mindset, contesting a state mentality that honors sovereignty. 9/11 represents a historical turning point; in which clashes between state and non-state actors increased the vulnerability of state actors and challenged their internal sovereignty. This paper will examine the premises of structural realism and explain how the rise of non-state actors illustrates that the traditional nation-state is no longer the principal actor. I will present relevant modern day examples that will provide a framework to validate the contention that the tenets of structural realism are incongruent with the international system today.

    Read More

  • The Conflict Between the Ukraine and Russia

    1600 Words  | 4 Pages

    Baylis, Smith and Patricia Owens. 2014. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations. London.

    Read More

More about Theories Of The International System In The 21st Century

Open Document