Devin Savaskan
Blog 1
Realism Today

            Since the end of the cold war, liberalism has been on the forefront of political theory with some even considering realism, a pessimistic thing of the past. In The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, John Mearsheimer discusses the theory of realism through assumptions of the international system. When looking at world politics through this lens, and by further examining a few current events, we can see that the practice of realpolitik continues today.  The uncertainty of others intentions, and the desire to gain relative power, perpetuate the importance of realistic political theory.

            No matter how long it’s been since a grand scale war, states can never be too sure that their neighbors have no devious plans. An ongoing conflict of sovereignty shapes this realistic principle. Last year the Japanese government purchased a group of Islands off its coast known as Senkaku. “Senkaku is rich in energy reserves, fishing grounds and is located near key shipping lanes”. ("China Open to Talks with Japan on Island Dispute." VOA. N.p., 21 Sept. 2013.) The Chinese government has refused to recognize the transaction and has even boosted its military presence in the region. Japan has also amped up its military efforts including a new drill designed simulate retrieving an island captured by an enemy. Both countries have seen a rise in nationalistic protests over the dispute. The fact that both countries never can truly know if a strike is planned puts fear into their hearts and ultimately dictates there political mind set.  

             The most obvious example of gaining relative power in our modern world is through the acquisition and stock piling of nuclear weaponry. This is for a simple reason, a state with nuclear weapons is almost untouchable from military outside influence. The fear of nuclear conflict if threatened is enough to perpetuate survival of any state. Today the struggle to gain nuclear weapons is most visible within the states of Iran and North Korea. Both states believe through their own interpretation of realpolitik that they have true rivals in the region (i.e. Israel, South Korea respectively) that would like nothing more than to see the destruction of their state. In fear of destruction these states pursue the one thing that would ensure survival. The United States on the other hand is the prime example of a hegemon looking to gain more relative power. The United States interested in its own influences in the resource rich regions, continues to balance the power for its allies by applying crippling sanctions to the two nuclear aspiring states. The battle between these states illustrates the practice and purpose realism serves in the modern era.

            Globalization and the end of the cold war has pushed the world to think more liberal. There is a true importance in cooperation, world institutions and rational diplomacy. However the fact of the matter is states continuously fear the possibility of outside military force and are always on the hunt to gain power and privilege above peers and neighbors. Mearsheimer's arguments ring true illustrating the need and use for the theory of realism to this day.

 

 

Citations:

·         "China Open to Talks with Japan on Island Dispute." VOA. N.p., 21 Sept. 2013.

·         6, 2013, Updated: June. "The Lengthening List of Iran Sanctions." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations,

·         "In Focus: North Korea’s Nuclear Threats." New York Times. N.p., 16 Apr. 2013. Web