What Is Realism in International Relations?

International Relations

Realism in International Relations

In the study of politics, the subject of international relations inevitably surfaces, mainly because politics do not only deal with national or domestic affairs, but also international concerns and issues. In the field of international relations, there are two prevailing paradigms: realism and liberalism. Although the focus of this discussion would be on realism, it can be best understood by also identifying and distinguishing it from liberalism.

Liberalism as a political paradigm in international relations posits that conflicts between and among states can be resolved through the help of international institutions like the United Nations and World Trade Organization. As a political ideology, liberalism is idealistic in the sense that its proponents believe that conflicts and even wars can be resolved diplomatically, and effectively through an efficient medium (i.e., international institutions). The Modernist Project of the United States during the Cold War period witnessed the prevalence of this paradigm, as liberalism helped promote the thinking that Communism in Eastern Europe can be eradicated and poverty and political instability be alleviated through monetary (through the International Monetary Fund) and military (United Nations) aids.

Realism, meanwhile, holds an altogether different view of international relations. While liberalism believes in the hope that conflicts can be reconciled through international institutions, realism believes that states would inevitably involve itself in conflicts and wars to pursue their self-interests. This means that states have the power and capability to compete against other states, and a state would inevitably compete against another state in order to achieve its need to dominate politically. Realism indeed takes on a more "realistic" view of international relations: it looks at how political leaders are more likely to think and act when faced with the opportunity to increase the leader's and his/her state's power and when faced with the threat of relinquishing one's power or control over the state (as well as other states).

Realism in international relations is reflected by the constant occurrences of conflicts and civil discontentment in different states and societies. A famous example is the infamous 'Gulf War II,' or the U.S. attack against Iraq. From the point-of-view of the realist, Gulf War II is an act committed by the U.S. In order to assert its power not only to Iraq, but to the rest of the world. Moreover, it is pursuing its self-interest, the core interest being the achievement of a primary 'controlled territory' in the Middle East, a region known to have vast and most abundant oil resources. In effect, realism in international relations tells us that the U.S. offensive attack was done because there is a need to politically control Iraq and at the same time, indirectly control the Middle Eastern region in order for the U.S. To have control over the region's oil resources.