PARADIGMS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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PARADIGMS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Abstract In this essay I will discuss the aspects of being a Realist, and Idealist, as well as discuss the

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meaning of ecological paradigms. There are many assumptions as to what it means to be a realist or an idealist, and while there is always a different meaning to something for someone else, I will do my best to try to eliminate any question as to what realists, idealists, and ecological paradigms mostly stand for. I will then discuss which one of these I prefer as a citizen of the United States and how I believe that things truly are when comparing to my life experiences. This will lead into my ideals on international affairs today and the combination of those and the paradigms discussed. Lastly, I will discuss three important principle differences between realists and idealists and their approaches to international relations.

PARADIGMS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Paradigms and International Relations In our textbook, World Politics In The 21st Century, it defines Political Realism as a “philosophical position that assumes that human beings are imperfect and possess an innate desire for power”. (Duncan,Webster,Switky, p. 33) I do believe that it does not matter what it is you are asking to be defined, the definition is always going to depend on who you are asking. Every individual as a unique point of view which might just be a slightly different perspective than the man next to him. This assumption that all people are naturally going to behave badly many people have frowned upon and stated that this type of negative outlook is only going to

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feed into the negative behavior that might be of question. Realists have often been said to have a more cynical view on life than an idealist. But when talking to a realist, they are going to explain to you that there is nothing crazy about accepting the truth of the matter. Everyone needs a little dose of reality everyone once in a while, and sure enough a realist will be right there ready and happy to give it. But how healthy can it be always going through your days assuming that “life is cruel, brutal, and short”. (Meyer) The amount of life that one would miss out on and let slip right out from underneath them out of fear that something bad may possibly happen to them is hideous. Not only are there people that are in this world many would consider the label imperfect, this world that we are living in is as well very, very far from perfection. While the views of a realist seem to be extreme, it does tend to be an accurate outlook on how human beings behave. Humans have proven to society that they do and will continue to do harmful things to each other as well as other things and walks of life. As you look at every aspect of the human life, it is evident that power is apart of all activities and seems to be the decision maker.

PARADIGMS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS When referring political realism to international relations it becomes a little more complicated. However, realism is the most important paradigm when it comes to international

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relations. The views of how one handles a situation, or how one moves forward in looking at was conflicts arise and how to deal with these conflicts is most often determining their stand point whether it be realism, or idealism. Realist believe that this world is an obstacle course which we are all racing upon, and there is only one winner. And this winner takes all. Determining the use of power, the consequences of your use of power, as well as the containment of the amount of power said has is important to the realist. They believe that war is something that cannot be avoided. War is an exhaustion of power, and only the most dominant will succeed in this militia way. It is said that they also believe that all humans are born with this same drive for power as well as the desire for glory and having a meaty militia would disperse fear among the enemy as well as the citizens. As Machiavelli said, “it is better for a prince to be feared than loved.” Security and foreign policy are the main concerns of the political realist. The have common beliefs that the truth of their offenses and defenses are really what deflect war upon other threatening states, such as in conflicts with the Soviet Union. It is not patriotic to feel sympathy for the enemy, for you shall be willing to imply punishment upon the enemy and give them what is coming to them. As said example with the United States and the USSR, many Americans believe that the only reason that we avoided this catastrophe of a war was because of our display of nuclear weapons. Building a strong military with top of the line most recent technology will be what realist believe will guarantee national security. With being weary of the ideas of a centralized government, realist hope for a more decentralized government allowing more

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flexibility amongst the states. Because while humans are imperfect, so is the world that they live in. The second major approach to international relations is the Idealism. This is a group of individuals that can be related to the saying that I am sure you have heard several times throughout your life, “Can’t we all just get along.” I am reminded of this quote when reviewing the thoughts and belief systems of the idealist today and in history as well. These people believe that the world is a forever evolving society and that we are always headed in the right direction. If at first you do not succeed, well then the idealist think that you should review what happened and determine why you failed and find another way to go about getting it done. Rebuild what went wrong in the first place to provide a better, more stable, institution is something that you would get from idealism. Idealist believe that the natural action of caring and having compassion is inevitable and it is something that each human being has inside of them therefor we are all created equally with the same dignity and if we all pull together and build for something better, that we can accomplish anything. They want to believe that everyone really has a good heart deep down inside and with the correct structure and guidance that we can all reach out highest potential leading to the highest of prestige states as a whole. With cooperation will come less conflict is a major belief among those said idealist. Although this can lead to negative responses in regards to idealism for the fact that there is only faith and hope in man kind and that the assumption that humans are going to all be bad is not the correct belief system to follow and that life would be better for all with a hint of security found in international cooperations.

PARADIGMS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS More subjective views and approaches of these idealist would be commonly related to those of Marxism as well as Liberalism. I can see the relation because when thinking about the

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views of the idealist, I found myself thinking that this was a very socialist way of thinking. With the Democratic Peace Theory, Collective Securtiy, Neoliberalism, and many many more beliefs systems all stemming from the main core of the idealism paradigm, I do have to agree that this would be the best view on my life as I see it. I find this to be the most beneficial not only to myself, but to those closely surrounding me, as well as even for society as whole. I think that if our politicians within the national government shared more of these types of point of views, that we would be better not only ourselves but our surrounding nations. There is a quote that I heard on the Real Housewives show that went, “Happy Wife, Happy Life” and I feel that this can pertain to just about anyone anywhere. They do say that even just a smile is contagious, that if you see a stranger having a bad day, then toss them a smile because its free and you never know you could just be making their day. If all of our nations came together and helped these sovereign nations that can hardly feed their population and have thousands dying from starvation, not only would we be doing right by man kind, but we would also be helping someone else life be just a little bit easier. And whats so wrong, bad, or distasteful about that? I did my good deed today, have you?

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Bibliography

"Theory Talks." : #52: Iver Neumann. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.

"International Relations:." International Relations:. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.

Duncan, W. Raymond, Barbara Jancar-Webster, and Bob Switky. World Politics in the 21st Century. New York: Pearson Longman, 2004. Print.