International Relations - Essay Example

International Relations A nation cannot be referred to as sovereign without stable security. The success of all the development activities that a state undertakes is determined by the security status of that state as well as that of other nations. Majority of the key world powers retain their status through maximizing on their share of the world power. According to Mearsheim, some of the notable behaviors applied include regional hegemony, accumulating maximum wealth, achieving the preeminent land power and nuclear superiority.1 Many of these nations dearly ensure the security of their territories owing to the underlying realist notion that the world is characterized by competition and war and that every state should possess an inherent military offensive to preserve their sovereignty. This leads to the enhancement of suspicions and fear over the intentions of another state in the use of military offensive. Alternatives that exist beyond maximizing the security interests of a state include enhancement of global military dominance, economic superiority and social cultural cohesiveness. Global Military Dominance Most states focus on security to preserve their legacy of maintaining global dominance. It is common logic that primacy brings a lot of interests spanning from balancing the world power and spearheading the world peace efforts. When a state is at the pinnacle of power like the United States of America, the only probable step that it can make is towards downfall. Realists postulate that, under such circumstances, insecurity may worsen the situation further. According to Walt, the fear of imminent decline in control of global power control arose from the United States capability of reaching the zenith. America purposes to maintain its status as a center for international politics; a security stable environment is eminent to boost such efforts.2 He affirms that most international relations are determined by the security situation of the constituent states. For instance, Walt (p.10) alludes that the twin debacles of the American invasion in Iraq and Afghanistan served to accelerate the waning of the American dominance in international ethics.3 The imbalance of world power resulting from the preponderant possession of power by some nations works to the advantage of the dominant nation although the same act is discriminatory towards the less dominant states. Superiority in security comes along with respect and goodwill tendencies directed towards the concerned state. While focusing on insecurity, most realists forget that security is not the only ingredient towards the economic development and welfare development of a state. Most of the activities involved in maintenance of a state’s security taint international relationship between states leading to animosity. It is advisable that states should focus on other alternatives that can promote unity and cooperation with other states to ensure long term solutions. Enforcing military intervention leads to short term solutions that aggravate the problem even further. The quest for global military dominance is normally accompanied by an urge to attain economic superiority. Economic Superiority The economic strength of a nation is dependent on its Security stability. A nation with superior economic stability is less worried about military intervention. This enables it to focus on other development activities that enhance its grip onto economic superiority. The emerging economies like China are ensuring their long stay in power through investing most of their wealth in military assets. The economic status of any nation determines its security strength. The focus on security by most realists makes sense economically as a nation must be able to guard and enhance the security status for its citizens against any external threat. Investment activities are also determined by the security status of the recipient state. On page 24 of his liberal idealism article, Steele alludes that states are agents that are usually aware of their identities, collective and singular, and have an interest in fostering development. 4 Some strategies that are applied to economic superiority are interstate wars, blackmail, balancing, back passing and avoidance. Wars involve death and destruction. Currently, wars are not successful as conquest does not always pay and every participant stands to loose. Mutual annihilation is also possible in the current world due to the possession of highly destructive weapons. They also lead to the creation of empires that are expensive to maintain as well as slowing down the economic growth of nations. Wars can enable the conqueror exploit a vanquished state’s economy for self gain through actions such as levying taxes and confiscating industrial output. The conquered nations can also act as a buffer zone to minimize the security threats towards nations. Blackmail is a relatively humane alternative to war as it achieves its goals without bloody costs. The desired outcome is gained through intimidation and coercive threats. However, blackmail rarely works in the confrontation between superpowers powers. However, the obsession of the realists towards interstate security is selfish behavior meant to guard the internal wealth of a state and prevent any sharing habits with its neighbors.5 This ensures that they overcome any resistance that may stand on their way in their efforts to exploit resources. This attitude raises suspicion and cold wars that compromise the sanctity of international relations and security competitions. Economic superiority can be attained ethically through internal and external Social and cultural cohesiveness.6 Social and Cultural Cohesiveness Interstate social-cultural cohesiveness and unity curbs negative behaviors that undermine the global security. For instance, the security concerns developed by the American realists made them to build a western style state in Afghanistan which has failed to materialize.7 An effective remedy could have been respecting the opinion of the Afghans and giving them freedom to decide on the cultural route course they should take. The American relationship with the Pakistanis has worsened due to the US involvement in Central Asia. The recent uprising in Yemen and Egypt show that the respect to the opinion of the public is eminent in maintenance of security stability. The end of the cold war altered the discrete nature of international communities leading to increased interdependence in political, economic and cultural aspects. Networking enables different states connect through sharing ideas and information on various aspects of human life thus enhancing the international relations. According to Arquilla, networking enables states to succeed in every life aspect that they are involved for instance human rights, insurgency, terror and transnational crime.8 For example in Chechnya, small but well coordinated groups of fighters drove the Russian army out of their territory through networking. The recent Arab Spring, especially with the Libyan experience, has cast doubts over the effectiveness of the war in the restoration of internal democracy as well as international relations. The focus on security should encompass all aspects of community welfare that sustains the well being of humans. Most of the leaders of these nations ignored the powerful societal power and focused on maximizing efforts geared towards curbing external threats. Globalization effort can only be achieved if world communities are cohesive enough to with stand any forces that may threaten their unity. Globalization has put pressure on global politics, leading to gradual circumscribing and limiting political power. Security guarantee is a crucial ingredient in ensuring that communities can coexist without war fears. Transnational associations have also ensured increased security among nations due to development of ethnic identities. For instance, many non governmental organizations have supported the indigenous communities in America, India and Africa.9 Conclusion Alternatives that exist beyond maximizing the security interests of a state include enhancement of global military dominance, economic superiority and social cultural cohesiveness. The economic strength of a nation is dependent on its Security stability. A nation with superior economic stability is less worried about military intervention. Most states focus on security to preserve their legacy of maintaining global dominance. It is common logic that primacy brings a lot of interests spanning from balancing the world power and spearheading the world peace efforts. Interstate social-cultural cohesiveness and unity curbs negative behaviors that undermine the global security. Conflicts arise from the confrontation between the naturally self seeking behavior of humans and the idealistic requirement of the natural law, restraint out of regard for others and striving for power and other gains. Human beings should respect the inherent rights of humanity. In international politics, overcoming fear is achieved through offensive realism; states assuming the worst over each other’s intentions and non-offensive realism; states assuming the worst over each other’s intentions. Without security concerns, there would be no wars; although it sounds idealistic, the decision lies at the hands of mankind. Reference List Arquilla, John. “Of Networks and Nations.” Brown Journal of World Affairs 42, no. 1 (2007). Mearsheim, John J. The tragedies of great power politics. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2001. pp. 29-31; 138-67 Steele, Brent J. “Liberal-Idealism: A Constructivist Critique.” International Studies Review 9 (2007): 23–52. Tang, Shiping. “Fear in International Politics: Two Positions.” International Studies Review 10 (2008): 451–471. Walt, Stephen. “The End of the American Era.” The National Interest (Nov-Dec 2011). http://nationalinterest.org/article/the-end-the-american-era-6037?page=show Read More