In the reading about Thucydides, it discusses two topics during the Peloponnesian War. One of them is between Melo and Athens and their dialog, while the other is about the revolution of Corcyraeans. Both of these topics are discussed by Thucydides which shows the beliefs of realism worldview, these views on realism are still relevant in modern day when it comes to the foreign policy during times of genocides, and Obama’s foreign policy. In the textbook Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Theory by Kevin Dooley and Joseph Patten it discusses classic realism and the basis for it. Realism is the view that human nature lacks morals, selfish, and seeks power. Philosophers who believe in such are, Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Thucydides …show more content…
Realpolitik is the idea that a country is out for it’s own interests. This can be shown with recent genocides of the late 20th and early 21st century. According to Samantha Power’s article “Never Again”, “the United States has intervened militarily for a panoply of purposes -- securing foreign ports, removing unpalatable dictators, combating evil ideology, protecting American oil interests…”(Powers). At a time when people are being mercilessly killed by their government or rebel groups aided by their government the United State and the United Nations has sat aside doing relatively nothing because there is little economic gain. This is a certifiably realist view. By believing that people are evil and should govern their own states it becomes easier to allow people to be brutishly murdered and stand aside. Genocides are taught as a thing of a past, The most recent genocides such as Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur are barely discussed in any high schools class room in …show more content…
While these atrocities of human nature were happening, countries did not help the people being murdered. It’s as if genocide is a bad word that cannot be discussed. Reports were made about what was happening in Cambodia and people wrote it off as if it was not truly happening. America and other countries appear to hold a foreign policy of realism. The basis of realism is that people and life are dirty, brutish, and short. With that in mind they believe that each state is out for their own interest or realpolitik. What foreign policy needs to be to prevent further genocides is more of a liberal viewpoint, such of that of Carter’s at the beginning of his administration. Unless countries begin to look what other countries are doing within the borders and how their citizens are treated before they begin alliances, treaties, and trade these genocide will continue to happen. Another aspect of countries not protect against genocides in other countries is the money factor. This could be whether the protecting states has enough money to actual protect or whether or not the protect country has any monetary gain. States tend to turn a blind eye to treatment of citizens in other states if they are gaining