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  • 7/29/2019 Edited Liberalism vs Realism MDR101111 1

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    Does liberalism provide a viable alternative to realism as a theory of

    international relations?

    Term 1 - Essay

    Martin Rowse

    Theories are established or evolved as a way of explaining a complex and often opaque subject in a

    clear and useful way - when they resonate they become tools to explain and explore subjects.

    Within this essay I will look to set a juxtaposition between the theories of realism and liberalism to

    examine whether liberalism provides a viable alternative to realism when looking to understand

    international relations.

    I will argue that both realism and liberalism are useful theories when considering international

    relations, and in fact having the two opposing views adds to the discussion. Bayliss and Smith

    describe these two theories as Realism being the natural party of government and Liberalism (as)

    the leader of the opposition.1 I will argue that this analogy rather underplays the importance,

    relevance and usefulness of liberalism in our globalised world.

    However I will also consider whether Joseph Nyes view of Soft, Hard and Smart power is now a

    more useful tool for strategic appreciation and whether the latter is a replacement for, or a

    compliment to, realism and liberalism.

    International Relations and Theories

    Before exploring the various theories to explain international relations, we should first consider

    what is meant by the term.

    Term 1 - Essay

    1

    1Tim Dunne Liberalism in J Balylis and S Smith, The Globalisation of World Politics. Oxford: OUP, 2005. pp.186

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    International relations can be used to describe the academic pursuit to gain an understanding of how

    nations interact with each other1. However, I would argue that in the globalised and multi-

    stakeholder world that now exists, that a focus purely on the states involved will not be able to fully

    explain the actions and reactions on the international stage.

    For this essay I would describe international relations as the interactions of all stakeholders

    involved in setting nationally interested policies and the related diplomacy required to execute said

    policies2.

    This wide view of international relations will test both realism and liberalism since both theories

    were established to explain the actions and reactions of the individual citizen, but have subsequently

    been grafted on to the study of state systems3. Therefore, both theories look to extrapolate the

    individual to the system view. This also suggests that both theories look to the state as the principle

    actors.

    Of course, we should also constitute what it means in terms of the usefulness of a theory. For this I

    would like to use the primary objective of being able to predict the turn of events in international

    relations before occurrence. This would show that the theory is useful in order to evaluate the

    current circumstances and therefore extrapolate to the future direction of a state and the actors. The

    secondary objective I would like to use is to provide a clear narrative or express a logic following a

    set of events or direction, this is using the tool to explain the past decisions of a state and the actors.

    I have set these objectives as theory is often accused of being able to explain history very well

    (meeting secondary objective) but inadequate when looking to predict the future (primary

    objective).

    Realism: the natural home for international relations

    It is easy to argue that realism has been the predominant theory in the previous decades, this is most

    prevalent in the language and naming principles of the epochs throughout time which are always

    Term 1 - Essay

    2

    1Waltz: Theory of international politics, http://wikisum.com/w/Waltz:_Theory_of_international_politics,accessed 17/11/11

    2 Robert Cooper, The Breaking ofNations, Order and Chaos in the Twenty-First Century, Atlantic, London,2004. pp.23

    3Hazel Smith, Democracy and International Relations. Macmillan Press, 2000. pp11

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    pre- or post- a named conflict. This is at first glance not significant, but if you consider the naming

    principles in other areas of academia they represent a type of thought or in art the style of painting.

    This is an important distinction, as the naming principle often sets the language that will be used to

    describe events, and when each era is described in the context of a conflict then it is natural to

    consider that conflict as the key differentiator.

    It is also true to say that realism has a natural home in international relations, which has always

    traditionally focused on the conflicts and tensions between nations, with realism depicting a world

    characterised by security competition and war1. This could be in part due to the large-scale

    conflicts that have shaped and re-shaped the world in the last century, with realism providing a

    useful theory to assist in understanding the conflict-led means of ordering the world. The most

    recent of which was the Cold War which proved realism on the global scale as the bi-polar world

    between the US and USSR seemingly edged closer to conflict through continuous competition -

    suggesting a anarchic world competing for survival and dominance.

    There are three main types of realism which have been developed as the theory is continually

    challenged by actual events. Classical Realism focuses on the innate desire for humans to dominate

    one-another and extrapolates this view to states. Neorealism suggests that all states are seeking to

    survive within an international system, but as that system is anarchic in nature each state must

    survive on its own. Burchill describes this as states being thwarted by the absence of an

    overarching authority which regulates their behaviour towards each other.1

    The latest addition to Realism is the Offence-Defence Theory, which suggests that war was more

    likely when states could conquer each other easily. When defence was easier than offence, however,

    security was more plentiful, incentives to expand declined and cooperation could blossom.2

    This

    line of thought may seen fairly logical, that a state will only engage another state where it believes it

    has the ability to win. However, it could be used to explain why the number of state-on-state actions

    has decreased3 without discounting the whole realist way of thinking. It also rather simplistically

    places nations alongside each other as like-units engaging in instrumentally rational decision

    Term 1 - Essay

    3

    1 J J Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. Norton, New York, 2001. pp.30

    2S Walt, International Relations: One World, Many Theories, Foreign PolicyNo.110, pp. 31

    3H Buhaug, S Gates et al. Global trends in armed conflict, International Peace Research Institute, Oslo.http://www.regjeringen.no. Accessed 04/10/11.

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    making.1 It is both the simplicity of understanding nations as like-units as well as the notion of

    states acting perfectly rationally which if often cited as a reason against realism.

    Realism is certainly an easier theory to define, and provides a simple measure for the casual

    observer of international relations. Realism is also measurable in terms of the successful conflicts

    and the military machinery which is a physical show of strength even during times of peace.

    However, realism tends to focus on a states dominance and military might as the soul objective of a

    state, with realists like Mearsheimer admitting that states often look to pursue non-security goals as

    well2.

    With all forms of realism we must also face the implicit implication that ...such a strong state-

    centricontology gives rise to deterministic tautology (states seek power because they seek

    power)...3 This argument therefore renders the realist viewpoint circular in nature, and therefore

    less useful in terms of understanding the reasons behind behaviours. This focus on power and

    conflict may also mean that we fail to notice other changes in the international relations

    environment, especially in terms of how different nations solve problems and disagreements, with

    the focus shifting towards cooperation.

    Nye describes realism as assuming that in the anarchic conditions of world politics, where there is

    no higher international government authority above states, they must rely on their own devices to

    preserve their independence, and that when push comes to shove, the ultima ratio is the use of

    force.4 With this in mind it could be argued that each new state-on-state conflict strengthens the

    case for realism and in turn weakens the case for liberalism, it shows - as Nye suggests - that

    conflict will occur where there is no higher international authority.

    At first sight this is a compelling argument, especially considering that liberalism has no similar

    way to demonstrate its success as a theory as the number of conflicts avoided through diplomacy

    and international organisations is not recorded or clear. I would therefore suggest that this argument

    is disingenuous, since one theory has a clear demonstration of when it is correct (i.e. occurrence of

    Term 1 - Essay

    4

    1Smith, Democracy and International Relations, pp14

    2 Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, pp.46

    3Smith, Democracy and International Relations, pp9

    4 Joseph Nye, The Future of Power. Public Affairs, 2011. pp19.

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    conflict) where liberalism has no such clear measure. This is also discussed later where Liberalism

    is often popular following a conflict to develop a solution.

    Although Nye recognises the importance of realism and the use of force he suggests that as a

    theory it represents a first cut at portraying some aspects of international relations security is not

    the only major outcome that [nations] seek, and force is not always the best instrument available to

    achieve those outcomes.1

    Liberalism: when international relations is more than conflict

    One could explain liberalism as having a focus on peaceful-coexistence, where it looks to explain

    how nations can exist side-by-side within a stable and ordered international system - it looks to

    self-restraint, moderation, compromise and peace2.

    This is not necessarily the opposite of realist thinking where the world is in constant tension and

    conflict, but liberalists see institutions and mechanisms other than conflict as a solution. Liberalism

    espouses an international system constituted of institutions which combine multiple states, where

    realism only sees anarchy in and conflict inevitable between states.

    The Liberalist way of thinking is made of four main pillars 3:

    Citizenship Legitimacy Property Trade

    All Citizens are

    equal and possesscertain basic rightsto eduction, freepress and religioustolerance

    The legislative

    authority onlypossesses theauthority invested init by the people

    The right to own

    property is key toindividual liberty

    The most effective

    system of exchangeis through themarkets

    Term 1 - Essay

    5

    1 Nye, The Future of Power, pp19

    2 Hoffmann extract within J Balylis and S Smith, The Globalisation of World Politics. Oxford: OUP, 2005.

    3Walt, International Relations: One World, Many Theories, pp. 32

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    Liberalists see a direct extension between domestic and international, with each of the Pillars above

    being extrapolated from state to international institution. It is seen as an inside-out theory from

    this respect as it looks at how best to translate domestic policy in to the international relationships1.

    This is an important distinction when considering whether Liberalism is a viable theory to

    understand international relations, especially since it also considers how best to ensure the

    legitimacy of policy through international organisations and mechanisms.

    As with Realism there are a number of schools of thought; but each one reflects the main principle

    that the crucial variables in explaining the behaviour of states at the international level relate to the

    domestic level.2 Essentially, the behaviour of the domestic is amplified to the international level,

    but not significantly changed.

    The first school argues that Economic Interdependence - the inter-twining of states economies -

    will discourage conflict as this would result in damage to both. This element of theory has two

    different explanations for why this is so; the first suggests that economic prosperity leads to a

    satisfaction of the state and therefore less enthusiasm or motivation for risking the level of

    prosperity. This is especially true in democracies, where the will of the people will be to maintain

    prosperity and focus on stability.

    The other theory is more simplistic in logical terms; explaining that starting a conflict in an

    economically interdependent system would be the equivalent of biting the hand that feeds you3

    since you would be destroying (in some way) a combination of the supply and the demand of the

    economies involved.

    Secondly, a view that the spread of democracy itself would lead to peaceful coexistence, the so-

    called Democratic Peace Theory. This does not mean that democracies are any more peacefulper

    se, but democracies rarely go to war against each other.4 This theory largely rests on the existence

    of either good democratic states, or bad (sometimes referred to as evil) states which are

    Term 1 - Essay

    6

    1S Burchill, Liberalism in S Burchill et al, Theories of International Relations. Palgrave 2005. pp81.

    2D Pante and T Risne, Liberalism, in T Dunne and S Smith, International Relations Theory. OUP, 2007.pp91.

    3 Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, pp.16.

    4D Pante and T Risne, Liberalism, pp 96

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    undemocratic, such as a dictatorship. It is seen that the good states rarely start conflicts with each

    other, but do enter in to conflict with the bad states. This has recently been seen in the invasion of

    Iraq in 2003 where the US-led alliance sought to depose the dictator, Saddam Hussein and instigate

    a democracy. This is of course only one of the reasons for the invasion, but represents a recent

    example.

    These theories reverse the traditional realist theory that all countries are threatened and in constant

    competition with each other. Instead it suggests that [t]he success of some was not threatening to

    others. It was their failure that was threatening.1 In an increasingly dependent world, each country

    relies on the success and stability of others.

    Finally, the theory of International Institutions which focuses on the pacifying nature of the

    institutions that have been set up in the preceding decades.2 The realist view described above

    suggests that the international realm is one of anarchy where each state acts alone with no higher-

    level institution ruling over the states. The liberalist view does not entirely oppose this view in that

    there is no over lord of the international system, rather a set of institutions that are negotiated,

    agreed and entered in to by the nation states 3.

    Once the states have agreed to joining an international institution (for example the UN, NATO or

    the EU4) an agreement and coalition or alliance is required to wage war. This makes the decision

    more difficult as you are relying on multiple actors wishing to embark on the same course of action

    and this multiplying effect make conflict less likely. An example of this relates to the invasion of

    Iraq cited above, where a United Nations Security Council Resolution (Resolution 1441) was

    required to commence the conflict5. More recently a Resolution to condemn President Assad-

    instructed crack-down on anti-government protestors in Syria was blocked (via veto) by China and

    Russia6.

    Term 1 - Essay

    7

    1 Gideon Rachman, Zero-Sum World, Politics, Power and Prosperity after the Crash. Atlantic, London, 2010.pp126

    2D Pante and T Risne, Liberalism, pp 96

    3 Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, pp.17

    4 United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, European Union

    5United Nations Security Council Resolutions, http://www.un.org/Docs/scres/2002/sc2002.htm, accessed11/11/11.

    6China and Russia veto UN resolution condemning Syria, BBC News website, accessed 21/11/11

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    However, as mentioned above, you cannot deny the existence of state-on-state conflict in the 20th

    Century, which it could be argued removes the importance of Liberalism completely. Liberalism has

    indeed had intermittent popularity throughout the last century, stemming largely from the conflicts

    which have marked out the 20th Century, such as the two World Wars and then the Cold War.

    Rather than take away from the Liberalist theory, I would argue that these conflicts have in fact

    added substantially to the argument. Most notably the reliance on Liberalist thinking at the end of

    major conflicts - this includes the League of Nations foundation following the First World War and

    the establishment of United Nations at the end of the Second World War1. Following the Cold War

    in the 1990s state leaders began to proclaim a New World Order of international institutions and

    liberal ideas2. That argument can be counted by suggesting that The configuration of the system

    is the unintended consequence of great power-security competition since it was organised to

    maintain the status-quo of the victors interests.

    However, the number of non-security subjects - including Human Rights and ethical considerations2

    - that are now being discussed amongst nations may suggest an underlining will be all nations to

    exist in a system of order, rather than anarchy. If this trend becomes permanent it will once again

    show the strength of coexistence over the Realist view of conflict as a natural course of events.

    I would also argue that it is this myriad of international organisations - from state competence, law

    and standards - that have allowed the level of globalisation that we can now witness. Without the

    liberalist view that the anarchy can be solved through institutions, globalisation would not have

    been possible. I would also suggest that this is especially true in business, where international law

    and standards (such as electrical current and various industrial measurements) have enabled

    companies to trade with multiple nations, relying on stability and known rules and norms to build

    increasingly efficient global supply chains.

    The juxtaposition of Realism and Liberalism

    Term 1 - Essay

    8

    1 P Calvocoressi, World Politics 1945 - 2000. Longman, 2001. pp.151

    2D Pante and T Risne, Liberalism, pp 186

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    Setting the two theories against each other shows two polar-opposite ways of thinking about

    international relations. This opposition forces a choice, and therefore fosters discussion.

    Realism Liberalism

    State-on-state actions Domestic internal to state

    International scene of anarchy International Organisations

    Reflective and history-focused Forward-looking

    State-focused Citizen-focused

    Competition Trade

    Conflict Peaceful co-existence

    One could argue that liberalism represents a more progressive and optimistic future, as mentioned

    above it could be said that globalisation has been pursuing liberalist goals throughout the last

    centuries, when you consider the early companies formed for global trade. Fukuyamas view was

    that human progress could be measured in the reduction and eventual elimination of global conflicts

    through the evolution of legitimate principles in domestic policy.1

    Without liberalist thinking, we would not have the United Nations, International Monetary Fund or

    any of the gradually increasing number of international organisations and the first attempt at

    creating an international authority in the League of Nations. All these efforts are attempting to

    prove true Kants statement that peace can be perpetual.2

    Realists often criticise liberalists for holding these statements as a utopian view of politics which,

    if followed, would lead states to disaster3. This statement suggests that if liberalist views were

    Term 1 - Essay

    9

    1Scott Burchill, Liberalism pp.56

    2Scott Burchill, Liberalism pp.58

    3 Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, pp.15

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    unequivocally followed and defences were lowered then the likelihood of conflict would in fact

    increase as states would seek the opportunity outlined in the Offence-Defence theory.

    This popularity could also be driven by financial considerations; with many states, particularly

    large ones, find[ing] it more costly to use military force to achieve their goals than was true in

    earlier times1 and are therefore looking to reduce the likelihood of conflict through diplomacy and

    treaties - both which could be termed as forms of liberalism. It could be suggested that realism is

    now simply too expensive for many states to partake, unless of course as a last resort.

    This view of an ever increasing number of international institutions and mechanisms that we also

    see a fall in the number of state-on-state conflicts which would suggest either conflict has been

    temporarily suspended or perhaps new non-aggressive methods of conflict - such as trade

    negotiations - have replaced the previous weapons.

    If you believe in the well known Clausewitzian phrase that conflict is the expression of politics by

    other means2 then you can arrive at the view that for liberalism to be successful you require the

    force prescribed under realism close behind. In simplistic terms, If you are to maintain the stability

    of international institutions you must have the credible ability and capability to enable destructive

    force to be unleashed if necessary.

    This is a particularly interesting point when you consider the link to globalisation and the economic

    reliance of states on each other; a liberalist view. If - as mentioned above - the real threat to states is

    the failure of other states (rather than competition through success) then it could be one explanation

    for the growth of liberal interventionism where states look to intervene to aide stability,

    maintaining the economic interdependence3

    . It could be argued that this use of realism to protect

    liberalism represents a new type of hybrid theory.

    With this in mind, I would suggest that Realism and Liberalism should be placed on a paradigm

    (Figure 1, below) which provides a useful frame for the theories to be considered within and also

    represents the balance that is necessary between the two theories to maintain the stability sought. If

    Term 1 - Essay

    10

    1 Nye, The Future of Power, pp.24

    2Clausewitz and His Works, www.clausewitz.com, accessed 16/11/11

    3 Rachman, Zero-Sum World, pp129

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    the paradigm becomes unbalanced then states will either wage wars as a way to solve problems or

    states will look to take advantage of others who seek a purely liberalist path and reduce their

    defences accordingly.

    Figure 1:Realism and Liberalism along a Paradigm of Thought

    An important element that is not fully considered within either realism and liberalism is the use and

    importance of power. Both theories allude to power, but neither adequately explore the subject and

    therefore one could argue that neither are able to explain international relations.

    I will now explore this further and look at how Joseph Nyes theory of Soft, Hard and Smart Power

    could be a useful way of expanding both liberalism and realism.

    Soft, Hard and Smart Power

    Joseph Nye began to develop an alternative theory to explain power in 1990, with the introduction

    of soft power expanded in his book on the subject in 20041. The work was widely accepted, with

    the terms entering political and diplomatic circles as a clearer way of expressing national

    approaches to international relationships.

    Term 1 - Essay

    11

    1Harvard Kennedy School Faculty, http://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/joseph-nye,accessed 16/11/11

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    I believe this theory became popular as it enabled the expression of the softer side of diplomacy

    while not removing the military power that may be necessary. This allowed diplomats, those

    involved in international institutions and military leaders to explain and understand their role in

    maintaining stability - or using force - with a new clarity and language.

    Nye himself describes soft power as the ability to affect others through the co-optive means of

    framing agenda persuading, and eliciting positive attraction in order to obtain preferred outcomes. 1

    Some have argued that this softening of power and move away from hard power to the importance

    of soft and smart is in fact Nye searching for a mechanism to maintain the status-quo of the US as

    the hegemonic power on earth. The criticism goes that as other states begin to challenge the US

    military might they will remain insufficient in terms of their ability to persuade and use soft power2.

    Nye includes more realist viewpoints within his latest book, which I would suggest assumes realism

    as a tool in a liberalist institutional arena. Nye suggests that at some points this liberalism breaks

    down and we return to a position where States are caught in a zero-sum game where it is rational

    to fend for themselves because they cannot trust others.3

    I would suggest that Joseph Nyes view of Power adds to the debate between liberalism and realism

    rather than replacing either, and in fact could substantiate the intertwined nature of the two grand

    theories. As mentioned above, I would argue that liberalism and realism should be considered

    together as a unbreakable paradigm of thinking, with each reliant on the other in the modern world.

    It is no longer a pendulum of choice but rather an intertwined response, with Nyes theory able to

    give a clearer view with detailed criteria of which type of power is in play by linking it directly to

    leadership4.

    Taking this further - and although it is not a perfect match - I would propose that you could draw

    parallels between liberalism and soft power, realism and hard power, with smart power ultimately

    being the only type of power which is available for use due to the international institutions which

    Term 1 - Essay

    12

    1 Nye, The Future of Power, pp.20

    2 Paul Cammack, Smart Power and US Leadership: A critique of Joseph Nye. http://www.49thparallel.bham.ac.uk/back/issue22/1_Cammack.pdf. Accessed 21/11/11.

    3 Nye, The Future of Power, pp.27

    4 Joseph Nye, Soft Power, Hard Power and Leadership, pp3. http://www.hks.harvard.edu/netgov/files/talks/docs/11_06_06_seminar_Nye_HP_SP_Leadership.pdf, accessed 16/11/11

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    have now almost universally been accepted. As Smith points out States are strong institutions but

    they are enmeshed in important regional and universal political and economic institutions. This is

    the essence of globalisation.1

    Figure 2.Parallels can be drawn between liberalism, realism and power

    Smart Power was developed by Nye to further explore the mix between Hard and Soft power,

    suggesting that the exclusive use of either will not lead to the required result, in terms of both the

    legitimacy of Soft and the end-result of using Hard Power. In a 2008 interview2 Nye clearly

    explained how Smart Power could be used in the fight against Terrorism. Nye suggests that soft

    power could be used to persuade (through aide or threats) the Taliban to reveal the sites used by Al

    Qaeda, followed by hard power (traditionally kinetic) to destroy the sites.

    However, this would not solve terrorism but reduce one element, therefore Nye suggests that the

    smart mixture of hard and soft could be used to win hearts and minds of the mainstream Muslim

    population to reduce the hardliners available for radicalisation.

    This raises two interesting elements around Nyes theories. Firstly; that Nye is himself developing

    the theories to meet current challenges. Secondly, the theory relies on the existing theories of

    realism and liberalism as a basis. Nye mentions the use of soft power to persuade the Taliban, a

    political body which lies outside of the international system, and therefore realists would suggest as

    part of the anarchic realm. However, discussing the winning of hearts and minds of the

    Term 1 - Essay

    13

    1Smith, Democracy and International Relations, pp24

    2 Joseph Nye on Smart Power, http://www.hks.harvard.edu/news-events/publications/insight/international/joseph-nye, accessed 21/11/11.

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    mainstream Muslim population would suggest there is some form of transmission that could be

    used; an international institution would be an example of such an instrument.

    Conclusion

    Many argue that the theories that we have at our disposal to understand international relations are

    simply not up to the challenge. Smith rather critically proclaims that If we want answers to the

    question why is it that major powers and the major international governmental and non-

    governmental institutions are insisting on the promotion of democracy in both the rhetoric of their

    pronouncements and, sometimes, the foreign policies they pursue, we are left struggling to respond

    given the theoretical choices available.1

    I would agree to an extent with this rather coarse dispelling of the theories available; however I

    would argue that when you combine the theories of Liberalism, Realism and Nyes Power you can

    begin to build a level of analysis which isuseful when looking at international relations. It is true to

    say that there will often be surprises in store where no theory is able to fully predict events - for

    example the collapse of the Soviet Union2 and surprise of the Arab Spring3 - but the combination of

    theories remains useful and can be used as a framework to understand the positions and approach of

    nations or moreover their leaders.

    Measuring against the objectives set above; Liberalism clearly enables events in international

    relations to be understood once they have happened. This is especially true when it involves states

    which are members of international institutions and where resolutions or agreements are necessary

    for action. Or where a state leader - President or Prime Minister - has the ambition of joining an

    international institutions - for trade or political reasons - or has shown evidence of respect for

    those institutions in the past. I would also argue that this type of evidence - stated ambitions or past

    experience - gives an indication of the behaviour in future events.

    Term 1 - Essay

    14

    1Smith, Democracy and International Relations, pp1

    2James F. Collins, Fall of the Soviet UnionThe Inside Story, http://carnegieendowment.org/2011/08/18/fall-of-soviet-union-inside-story/5tyr. Accessed 21/11/11

    3The Arab Spring: A Conversation with Alain Jupp, www.cfr.org, accessed 16/11/11

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    With this in mind, I believe that Liberalism can indeed be a viable alternative to Realism when

    dealing with International Relations. However, Liberalism only gives an indication or direction of

    what may happen. I would argue that it does not assist in predicting future events or fully

    understanding them, as it is simply too blunt a theory. The addition of the Power theory gives

    further clarity in terms of the tools that would be available and also offers a wider perspective,

    allowing for the use of hard power in a suitable mix. This therefore enables a liberal to allow for the

    potential of realism in the form of traditional kinetic force while maintaining the view that

    international relations is a number of inter-twined international institutions.

    I would suggest that rather than liberalism being a viable alternative to realism, that neither offer a

    useful view of international relations as separate theories. The two are in fact better understood

    when placed together at opposing ends of a paradigm, with Power theory adding substantially to

    both sides.

    I would go so far as to say that the three theories explored can only truly exist in a useful form when

    they are considered together; with Nyes smart power acting as a useful theory between the two

    opposing forms of liberalism and realism. Power theory acts as a theory to remove the view that

    international relations is in fact a pendulum swinging between each theory as time progresses,

    leadership changes and methods are refined or dissolved. Power theory gives a more refined lens of

    analysis to understand the reasons behind changes in direction, especially when it comes to political

    leaders requiring an opposing set of tools in parallel, the use of smart power.

    5,049 Words

    Term 1 - Essay

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    Bibliography

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