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which they operate. By default, there tends to be a hostility between the two
competing poles (55). This can be seen in the tension between the USA and the
USSR, during the Cold War era. Emerging out of World War II, there were two central
power poles on the international stage. Each side had the desire to eliminate the
other, but had the good sense to avoid outright conflict. Since a bipolar system is
marked by two near-equals competing for the same space, it is unwise for the poles
to engage in direct conflict. The best way to consolidate power and attempt to
undermine the other pole is by expanding your area of influence. This is seen in the
USSRs expansion across Europe in the years follow WWII, and the USAs
involvement in the Vietnam Conflict, attempts to expand influence and prevent that
expansion (known in the USA as the containment doctrine), respectively (32).
If both the EU and the USA were to be members of a bipolar system, and a
third state or IGO was to arise, that system might progress in to a tripolar system. A
tripolar system exists when there are three poles, each wielding near-equal power,
and influence, on the international stage. The rules get a little bit more dicey when
you progress passed two poles. The objective for each individual pole is to, at worst,
have a working relationship with the other two actors. At the same time, however,
each pole must be weary of the other two poles forming an alliance, and upsetting
the balance of power. The balance of power is maintained in a tripolar system, so
long as each pole maintains the status quo. As long as no member attempts to
consolidate power with another, against the third, the tripolar system is stable.
The multi-polar system works in a similar way to the tripolar, just scaled up
beyond three poles. The rules for a multi-polar system, like that of the tripolar, are
to oppose any alliances or consolidations of power that would upset the balance of
power (55). In essence, the name of the game is keeping everyone down, so no one
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actor wields more power than the rest. It would be preferable to expand your
influence and power, but it is necessary to at least maintain your power (55).
In my opinion, the polar system most likely to bring about global peace
would be a multi-polar system. If our goal is to achieve peace and prosperity to the
largest number of people, relative to those that are denied it, this configuration is
definitely preferable. In a unipolar system, every actor save for the power pole is in
a constant struggle to keep its head above water. At the same time, the unipolar
power is struggling to keep them from gaining any meaningful influence (56). In
addition, human nature comes in to play. Subordinate powers will continually
struggle against the power pole, due if nothing else, to pride (56). This of course
would always be the case, as even in a multi-polar system, there will be actors
struggling to become equal to those poles already established. However, limiting
the number of out actors by maximizing the number of in actors, in a system,
should inherently limit pride conflict.
Furthermore, real life examples of the failing of a unipolar system are plainly
visible today. When the US declared war on Iraq, there were many countries that
refused to back them (57). They more than likely were not pro-Saddam Hussein,
they were just not about to assist the sole power pole, and in so doing prolong that
poles dominance. If nothing else, pride prevents meaningful cooperation in a
unipolar system.
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Essay #2
There are two central theories of international relations. These theories are
based on competing ideas as to what causes actors in international relations to act
the way they do. The first thing that should be noted is that the terms are largely
self-appointed by the people that subscribe to it. Therefore, when one discusses the
realist (as opposed to the idealist) school of thought, one should not mistake the
definitions to mean that the realists operate within the confines of reality, and the
idealists are merely wishful thinkers. A more accurate assessment would be that
realists are pessimistic in regards to human behaviors impact on international
relations, while idealists are optimistic (12).
To say realists are pessimistic, the definition must be clarified. Realists base
the future on the past, and largely see human beings as self-serving individuals,
always acting in their own best interest (13). Unfortunately, history tends to bear
out this assessment. Realists argue that power is the beginning and end, when it
comes to international relations, and security. They tend to lean much more on the
side of peace through power, and believe that wars are inevitable, and can only be
limited by their swift execution. The father of realist thought is Thomas Hobbes (14),
who surmised that humans are, by nature, dominant creatures. He argued that
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enemies are created when two individuals, or two groups, desire the same thing,
but both cannot have it (14). This policy is employed in international relations by a
reliance on sovereign states competing for power. The idea here is something like
political Darwinism (16). Those groups that gain the most power, deserve that
power, and all the security that comes with it. Consequently, the best way for a
realist head of state to increase security, is to increase power (15).
Likewise, clarification of the term optimistic as a definition of idealists is
required. Idealists (sometimes confusingly referred to as liberals) believe that
humans are capable of cooperation, and are not inherently aggressive by nature
(15). They may concede that historically we have acted out of a greed for power,
but that we must not give up a press towards cooperation and diplomatic relations,
over conflict. Idealists take many of their philosophical beliefs from Jean-Jacques
Rousseau, who argued that human beings as a species formed groups because
operating alone, in each individuals best interest, was no longer working. He further
surmised that, just as we faced extinction if we did not find ways to work together
for our mutual betterment, we again would have to find ways to cooperate if we
wanted to stave off destruction (15). Idealists believe that the application of power
is not the driving force behind international relations, and that ethical
considerations, and an emphasis on principles, must reign over power in policy (16).
Realism has very likely been the more dominant mode of thought for a few
key reasons. First, political entities are made up of human beings, so it follows that
one would find the application of an understanding of their nature beneficial
towards the understanding of politics. Additionally, if we operate solely by judging
future performance by past behavior, the application of realist policies makes sense
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(19). Competition, not cooperation has shaped the course of human progress. This
is true on the individual, as well as group, or state-level.
Even during times of peace, many times that peace is held in the balance
only by a realist ideal, the inability to fight a winnable (19). It is understandable
then, that heads of state would not want to risk destruction by relinquishing their
states power and adopting an idealist policy. The adoption of an idealist policy
would require a worldwide agreement to adhere to its standards. And, with no state
having any power to enforce the agreement, how long would it be before some
group deviated?
I do believe, however, that if more countries adopted an idealist policy, more
peace would follow. At the very least, it would avoid an ever-increasing power
struggle like that of the Cold War. Also, there is something to be said for
cooperation, and idealism, not being in direct conflict with realism. There are
certainly times where it is in the best interest of all involved to act within idealistic
principles (19). This can be seen by the decrease in wars fought internationally, as
well as the increase in interdependence among states (18). As each individual state
more relies on others for its existence, the benefits of adopting more idealist
policies increase. No longer, then, is it a zero-sum game. Other states prosperity
can be beneficial to your state, as well (18).