International Relations and Cooperation - Essay Example

International Relations and cooperation By Sur 12, December The theory of structural realism explains the how international relations are presented. Waltz in his analysis of the international relations separate states and define them as units from the system that is composed of the structure. According to Waltz in system level results are found while in subsystem only causes emerge (Waltz, 2010). According to Waltz, states seek security and within them; there is cooperation. However, anarchy exists in an international level. In what Waltz calls structure, national interest present the need for a state to exercise coerciveness and thus anarchy. Waltz further says that power in a state level is distributed hierarchically, with the leaders of a state having the consent to exercise power on behalf of the citizens. However, he notes that, at an international level, power is distributed horizontally. Waltz in his theory says power seeking states make what he call units, and it is in the unit that power is exercised. He further says that units are the second structure and states being security seekers do similar things in the unit level and thereby balancing themselves. This phenomenon according to Waltz makes the second structure to cease when all states in the unit level balance their behaviors (Waltz, 2010). The third structure in the theory of international relations is in the international community. Therefore, the distribution of power at this level is determined by how many great powers there are in the world. According to Waltz, the relations of the smaller units are mostly influenced by the number of great units there are in the international community. Therefore, cooperation between states follows a pattern of the great powers. Waltz argues that the reason why nation build arms, trade, form alliances, and imitate the others is as a result of influence that follows a pattern of the major powers. However, according to Waltz, this is done in the estimation of probability of conflict among nations (Waltz, 2010). Waltz theory of international relations focuses mainly on realism. He argues that the international structures and systems are defined by anarchy. The deficiency of an international body that has a central authority over states makes each state exercise its sovereignty over other states. According to Waltz, every state is sovereign and autonomous from the influence of any organization or other states, which are powerful. Therefore, the structure of states dictates that no society can be created to influence or dictate relations between states. States are bound to relate to other states through coercion or through consent (Waltz, 2010). In anarchic systems that Waltz describe, states are bound to develop the structure that support and maintain state power. Power is the only variable that states has that guarantee that national interest is safe guarded. Through power state defend themselves from enemy states and defend their interest in the world arena to protect trade, oil, and technology. Power according to the theory of Waltz can take many forms from economically, militarily, and diplomatically. However, the emphasis of power in international politics is the distribution of coercive substance capacity (Waltz, 2010). Anarchy as Waltz defines it is the absence of an international body with a legitimate power to that can control the security of nations against each other. Therefore, Waltz says that the world is insecure, and states seek their own security. The realignments of major powers are as a result of self-seeking security and to enable them provide security. In a bipolar world, like that was an evident during the cold war, the United State and U.S.S.R. competed to control the world security. In a multi-polar situation, the great power competes for the control of world power, whereas, in a hegemony world the major power will balance power. Waltz concludes his theory of realism by suggesting that, cooperation among states can occur, but with anarchic systems within them. Koehane in his regime theory focused on the cooperation of nations in the world and more importantly the political economy of the world. In regime theory, Koehane says that cooperation between states is difficult, but interdependent encourage different states to united to realize specific common goal that are only achieved through cooperation. According to his theory, Koehane argue that cooperation between states follow regimes that have shared beliefs and this ensures that future patterns of interdependent, economic arrangement and political realignments (1977). He further stipulates that conflict characterizes various actors when they pursue self interest in disregard of other nations and thus hinders the attainment of common goals. According to his theory, the present of conflict helps in cooperation and states adjust policies to ensure compatibility with the parties involved. After nation has set out policies, they then outline guidelines, norms, rules, and decision making organs to bring into operation the expectations of international relations (Koehane, 1977). Cooperation, therefore, calls for the creation of international regimes, and in the regime, nation states pursue individual national interest through negotiation of international agreement to maximize relative gain. Koehane (1977) says that international cooperation should not be mistaken to mean that international agreement supersede nation state. However, such arrangements have a motive to maximize self interest. However, an agreement between nations on certain principles takes the autonomy of nations when they comply with rules and norms of the agreements. In international cooperation, the states retain the sovereignty in implementing international agreements in economic and political policies through the institution of a nation rather than international organizations. Koehane (1977) says that, though nation must abide by the norms and rule of international cooperation, regimes do not have importance more than the national control. Moreover, the world politics in nature are decentralized and further still; they are not hierarchical like that of a state. However, lack of hierarchical power does not mean that objection to an international agreement is an easy task; there are specific agreements that charges any member state who violate them. In another theory, Keohane (1977) explains state behavior and cooperation in his theory ‘complex interdependence.’ In this theory, Koehane defines cooperation as mutual reliance characterized by mutual effects among states or actors in a different nation. Interdependence is a state where actors are influenced significantly by forces from other countries. Koehane argue in his theory that when countries share costly effect and reciprocate to help each other, they can be described as a nation in a relationship that is interdependence. An example to this scenario is the recent global crisis to that was as a result of the U.S. financial crisis. The aftershock of the crisis was felt in other nation in Europe, Asia and in Africa. The financial crisis resulted to a collective action in order to rescue financial institution from scrambling and creating an economic disaster. Koehane says that nation cooperates to enjoy gain and losses and this relationship is symmetrical. In other cases, asymmetrical relationship is witnessed among industrialized and developed nations. In this case, the stronger nation benefit than the weaker nations. According to interdependence theory, the relationship between states is stronger than the autonomy of each nation. However, the benefit that accrues to interdependence is greater than the costs. Koehane argue that nations analysis interdependence in consideration of the potential benefits and costs and the joint losses and gains. Both Koehane and Waltz theory agree that cooperation among state is reasonable and achievable, but Waltz insist that such cooperation must be within an anarchical system. According to Waltz argument, nations can only cooperation within certain guideline to protect their interest from a common enemy (Koehane, 1986). Koehane theories of international relations allow cooperation and interdependence of countries either for benefits or losses. Furthermore, he stipulates that, in some cases , the autonomy of states can be taken over by the rules and guidelines of an interdependence agreement. However, Waltz theory says that the interest of a nation is superfluous, and no international agreement can supersede a nation decision making. To Waltz, the power within a nation are hierarchical while those within a structure or international level are horizontal, and no other country or body is power than the state or what he call unit. According to Waltz theory, nations are egocentric and power seeking. The cooperation that is explained by Waltz theory is where state with a common interest in government level cooperates to defeat a common enemy; this situation is different to what Koehane describes. In reference to Koehane, nations cooperate in state level, in business and in military to realize the benefit from other states. The agreements, however, are for the good of the country, but some other time countries in a relationship share losses when they accrue (Koehane, 1986). In conclusion, Waltz presents the realist theory of international relations. According to Waltz, a lack of an international body to oversee peace and enforce over power over nation create a vacuum where nation builds alliances to protect them in case of a war. However, Koehane theory is what is needed to reform the international relations. Cooperation between states go beyond common interest and thus should focus to intervene in other states that require certain special attention to safe guard human right abuses, diseases, and other natural calamities. References Keohane, R. (1977). Power and Interdependence: World Politics in Transition. Boston: Little, Brown Keohane, R. (1986). Neo-realism And Its Critics. New York: Columbia University Press. Waltz, K. (2010). Theory of International Politics. New York: Waveland Press. Read More

In anarchic systems that Waltz describe, states are bound to develop the structure that support and maintain state power. Power is the only variable that states has that guarantee that national interest is safe guarded. Through power state defend themselves from enemy states and defend their interest in the world arena to protect trade, oil, and technology. Power according to the theory of Waltz can take many forms from economically, militarily, and diplomatically. However, the emphasis of power in international politics is the distribution of coercive substance capacity (Waltz, 2010).

Anarchy as Waltz defines it is the absence of an international body with a legitimate power to that can control the security of nations against each other. Therefore, Waltz says that the world is insecure, and states seek their own security. The realignments of major powers are as a result of self-seeking security and to enable them provide security. In a bipolar world, like that was an evident during the cold war, the United State and U.S.S.R. competed to control the world security. In a multi-polar situation, the great power competes for the control of world power, whereas, in a hegemony world the major power will balance power.

Waltz concludes his theory of realism by suggesting that, cooperation among states can occur, but with anarchic systems within them. Koehane in his regime theory focused on the cooperation of nations in the world and more importantly the political economy of the world. In regime theory, Koehane says that cooperation between states is difficult, but interdependent encourage different states to united to realize specific common goal that are only achieved through cooperation. According to his theory, Koehane argue that cooperation between states follow regimes that have shared beliefs and this ensures that future patterns of interdependent, economic arrangement and political realignments (1977).

He further stipulates that conflict characterizes various actors when they pursue self interest in disregard of other nations and thus hinders the attainment of common goals. According to his theory, the present of conflict helps in cooperation and states adjust policies to ensure compatibility with the parties involved. After nation has set out policies, they then outline guidelines, norms, rules, and decision making organs to bring into operation the expectations of international relations (Koehane, 1977).

Cooperation, therefore, calls for the creation of international regimes, and in the regime, nation states pursue individual national interest through negotiation of international agreement to maximize relative gain. Koehane (1977) says that international cooperation should not be mistaken to mean that international agreement supersede nation state. However, such arrangements have a motive to maximize self interest. However, an agreement between nations on certain principles takes the autonomy of nations when they comply with rules and norms of the agreements.

In international cooperation, the states retain the sovereignty in implementing international agreements in economic and political policies through the institution of a nation rather than international organizations. Koehane (1977) says that, though nation must abide by the norms and rule of international cooperation, regimes do not have importance more than the national control. Moreover, the world politics in nature are decentralized and further still; they are not hierarchical like that of a state.

However, lack of hierarchical power does not mean that objection to an international agreement is an easy task; there are specific agreements that charges any member state who violate them. In another theory, Keohane (1977) explains state behavior and cooperation in his theory ‘complex interdependence.’ In this theory, Koehane defines cooperation as mutual reliance characterized by mutual effects among states or actors in a different nation. Interdependence is a state where actors are influenced significantly by forces from other countries.

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