HarshVerma1227

"Realismisthemostsuccessfulapproachtointernationalrelationsinthe
Westphalianinternationalsystem."Discuss

1.TheIntroduction

Figure1.1.1AlighieroBoettis
Mappa,1990isanartisticrepresentationoftheinternational
systemandallofitsStateactorsbytheirofficialnationalflagssuperimposedupontheir
1
geographicalterritories.

Thisinvestigationwillseektotestthevalidityofthefollowinghypothesis
realismisthemostsuccessfulapproachtointernationalrelationsinthe
Westphalianinternationalsystem.Throughoutthecourseofthisinvestigation,
themeritsofthehypothesiswillbeexaminedagainstitsdemeritsto
determinetheextenttowhichthehypothesisisvalid.Thehypothesiswillbe
assessedagainstavarietyofdifferentsourcesfromwhichtheinvestigation
willreachaconclusion.Ifunsuccessful,thisinvestigationwillattemptto
proposeanalternativeapproachtointernationalrelationsintheWestphalian
internationalsystemthatcanbeconsideredtobesuccessful.

Toachieveacompleteandfullunderstandingofthehypothesisandthe
investigationrequiresanintroductiontothesubjectofinternationalrelations
andthevariousschoolsofthoughtwithinthisacademicdiscipline,aswellas
thedefinitionsofeachoftheseschoolsofthought.Thiswillprovidethe
structuralframeworkfortheessay,thecontextinwhichthehypothesiswillbe
testedandthefoundationuponwhichthisinvestigationwillbebased.

Anintroductiontointernationalrelationsisrequiredtoestablishafoundational
understandingoftheacademicdomaininwhichthehypothesiswillbetested.
Thiswillindicatetheextenttowhichthisinvestigationisapplicableand
relevanttocurrenteventsacrosstheworldandtotheacademicliteratureon
internationalrelations.Internationalrelationsistheacademicdiscipline
concernedwithstudyingtheinteractionofStatesandnonStateactorswithin
theparametersoftheinternationalsystemandtheconsequencesofthese

1
Boetti,AMappa(1990)

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234
interactionsonthebalanceanddistributionofpoweracrosstheworld. , , An
illustrationoftherelevanceofinternationalrelationsandexamplesof
interactionsbetweenStatescanbefoundinconflictsacrosstheworldtoday
andthroughouthumanhistorypost1648.EverythingfromtheNapoleonic
warstoAfghanistan,IraqandIslamicStateandeventhefutureofthe
internationalsystemintheC21stareallencompassedwithinthedomainof
internationalrelations.Internationalrelationsalsoinvolvespredictingand
advisingforeignpolicythroughanalysingpast,presentandpossiblefuture
5
actionsthroughthescopeofitsvariousschoolsofthought. Within
internationalrelations,therearevarioustheoriesthatattempttoexplainand
predictthebehaviourofcountriesintheinternationalsystemaccordingto
differentassumptionsaboutthenatureofthesystemandthebehaviourof
6
countriesthemselves. Thesetheoriesaredividedintothreemainschools
7
realism,liberalismandconstructivism. Withintheseschoolsofthoughtare
subschoolsthatoffervariousinterpretationsofthecoreassumptionsoftheir
respectiveschools.Itisanunderstandingofthedifferencesbetweenthemain
schoolsthatareessentialtobeingabletounderstandtheinvestigation.
(Figures1.1.2and1.1.3offersupplementaryinformationregardingthemain
schoolsofthoughtininternationalrelations.)

Internationalrelationsareconductedwithinthedomainoftheinternational
systemtheassemblageofalltheworldscountriesandotheractorsintoa
8
systemofinteractionthatspansacrosstheworld. Itiswithinthisdomainthat
thecountriesoftheworldconducttheirbusinessandbehaverelativetoone
anotherandinreactiontodevelopmentsinnature.Theinternationalsystemof
theC21sttracesitsoriginstothePeaceTreatisesofWestphaliain1648and
isthusmorecorrectlyknownastheWestphalianinternationalsystem
(althoughthisinvestigationwillusethesetwotermsinterchangeablydueto
9 10 11
theiroverlappingdefinitions). , , ThePeaceTreatisesofWestphaliawere
theproductoftheThirtyYearsWarthatengulfedEuropefrom1618to1648.
12
ThetermsoftheTreatisesestablishedtheWestphalianinternationalsystem
byenshriningtheprinciplesuponwhichthesystemwasfounded.TheHoly
RomanEmperorspowerwasheavilycurtailedandthuswasborn
WestphalianSovereigntyasaconsequenceoftheTreatises,theEmperor
recognisedtheindividualState'srighttoactaccordingtoitsownwilland
withoutexternalinfluencefromforeignentities.TheStatesthatcomprisedthe
internationalsystemin1648hadtheirsovereigntyrecognisedfromthatpoint

2
OxfordBibliographies,InternationalRelationsTheory
3
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforState,apoliticallyunifiedpeopleoccupyingadefinite
territorynation.
4
DefinitionfromOxfordDictionaries.comfornonstateactor,Anindividualororganizationthat
hassignificantpoliticalinfluencebutisnotalliedtoanyparticularcountryorstate.
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid.
7
Ibid.
8
W.WNorton&Company,Inc,EssentialsofInternationalRelations
9
Ibid.
10
OxfordBibliographies,InternationalRelationsTheory
11
Sparknotes,HistoryoftheInternationalSystem
12
History.com,ThirtyYearsWar

HarshVerma1227
 HarshVerma1227

onwardsanditisfromtheseeventsthattheWestphalianinternationalsystem
13 14
wasborn. ,
Thefirstandoldestmajorschoolofthoughtwithininternationalrelationsis
realismwhichfocusesontheacquisitionandexercisingofpowerandacting
inaccordancewiththenationalselfinterestasbeingtheprimaryobjectivesof
15 16
aStatesforeignpolicyandbehaviourintheinternationalsystem. , (Note
Figure1.1.3)Thisschoolofthoughtwasthefirsttheoryofinternational
relationseverdevelopedandtracesitsoriginsbacktoNiccoloMachiavellis
ThePrince1513andThomasHobbessLeviathanorTheMatter,Formeand
17 18
PowerofaCommonWealthEcclesiasticallandCivil1651. , Although
realisminitspresentformdidnotcometoexistuntilitsreemergenceinthe
19
C20ththroughtherenownedpoliticalscientistHansMorgenthau. InPolitics
amongNations1948,Morgenthauoutlinedhisconceptofrealismasbeing
20
aboutStateskeepingpower,increasingpoweranddemonstratingpower.
Realismscoreprinciplesconsistofapracticalandcynicalapproachto
internationalrelationstheinternationalsystemisinherentlyanarchicandthus
leadstocompetitionbetweenStatesinordertosurviveandacquirepower.
Realismdoesnotrecognisetheexistenceofanyauthorityintheinternational
systemthatisgreaterthanthatoftheStatethisleadstostatism:thetheory
21
thatStatesarethemostimportantactorsintheinternationalsystem. States
arethoughttobesovereignandarethusautonomous.Theyarealsothought
tobehaverationallyinordertosecuretheirsurvival.Thesecoreprinciples
22 23
formthebasisofrealismasaschoolofthoughtininternationalrelations. ,

Thesecondmajorschoolofthoughtwithininternationalrelationsisliberalism
whichfocusesonestablishingandincreasinginternationalcooperation
betweenStatesacrosstheinternationalsystem,theestablishmentofliberal
democraciesacrosstheworldandthereductionintheuseofmilitarypowerto
24 25
achievenationalobjectives. , (NoteFigure1.1.3)Liberalismcantraceits
genesisfromHugoGrotiusbookDejurebelliacpaciswrittenin1625during
theAgeofEnlightenmentandfromImmanuelKantsessayPerpetualPeace
26 27
writtenin1795. , KantandGrotiusproposedtheseminalprinciplesthat

13
Ibid.
14
Sparknotes,HistoryoftheInternationalSystem
15
Sparknotes,TheoriesofInternationalRelations
16
W.WNorton&Company,Inc,EssentialsofInternationalRelations
17
InternationalRelations:AVeryShortIntroduction,Realisttheory,pp24
18
InternetEncyclopediaofPhilosophy,PoliticalRealism
19
30SecondPolitics:ThemostThoughtprovokingTheoriesinPolitics,HansMorgenthau,p
141
20
Ibid.
21
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforStatism,theprincipleorpolicyofconcentratingextensive
economic,political,andrelatedcontrolsinthestateatthecostofindividualliberty.
22
Sparknotes,TheoriesofInternationalRelations
23
W.WNorton&Company,Inc,EssentialsofInternationalRelations
24
OxfordBibliographies,Liberalism
25
Sparknotes,TheoriesofInternationalRelations
26
OxfordBibliographies,Liberalism
27
ThePoliticsBook,LibertyisthepowerthatwehaveoverourselvesHugoGrotius
(15831645),pp9495

HarshVerma1227
 HarshVerma1227
28 29
wouldconjugatetoformliberalism. , Liberalismwasacceptedasa
legitimateschoolofthoughtininternationalrelationsaftertheFirstWorldWar
asaresultofrealismsfailureinpreventingorpredictingthetwoWorldWars.
30 , 31
IntheyearsfollowingtheFirstWorldWar,liberalismexistedinan
embryonicformknownasidealismanditwaschampionedbytheformerUS
PresidentWoodrowWilsoninhisFourteenPointsspeechintheformof
32
Wilsonianidealism. Liberalismscoreprinciplesconsistofanoptimisticand
ideologicalattitudetowardstheconductofinternationalrelationsthe
internationalsystemisorderedandismaintainedbythecooperationof
States.TheorderintheinternationalsystemallowsforStatestopursuemore
peacefulforeignpoliciesbecausethethreattotheirsurvivalisreduced
significantly.Statesareconsideredtobethemostimportantactorsinthe
internationalsystemandthattheydonotnecessarilyalwayspursuepower
butareinsteadareabletopursueavarietyofotherobjectives.AllStatesin
theinternationalsystemaresovereignbutnotnecessarilyincompetitionwith
eachother.Thesecoreprinciplesformthebasisofliberalismasaschoolof
33 34
thoughtininternationalrelations. ,

Thethirdandyoungestmajorschoolofthoughtwithininternationalrelationsis
constructivismwhichfocusesontheideathattheinternationalsystemis
constructedandmaintainedbytheinteractionofStatesaccordingtothe
values,
35 36
beliefsandideasoftheindividualState. , (NoteFigure1.1.3)Accordingto
StevenL.Taylor,constructivismexaminesthewayinwhichthe
selfperceptionsofstatesandtheirownunderstandingoftheinternational
environmentshapes(orconstructs)thatenvironment.Taylorgoesonto
identifythecoreprinciplesofconstructivism[which]statesthatratherthan
anarchybeinganobjectivestateofbeingintheinternationalsystemitisthe
interactionofstatesandtheirperceivedidentitiesandintereststhatshapethe
internationalarenaatagivenmomentintime(hencethenotionthatanarchy,
andindeedtheinternationalsystemwritlarge,iswhatstatesmakeofit
AlexanderWendt.)Further,theseinterestsandidentitiesaresocially
constructed,thatistheyaretheresultoftheinteractionsofstates.Inother
words,theinternationalsystemisnotformedoutofconcrete,objective
realitiesthatthenshapetheoptionsthatstateshavewithinthatsystem,but
ratherstatesthemselvesformtheinternationalsystembytheirownpractices.
Thisimpliesthatastheperceptionsofstateschangeovertimeso,too,willthe

28
OxfordBibliographies,Liberalism
29
ThePoliticsBook,LibertyisthepowerthatwehaveoverourselvesHugoGrotius
(15831645),pp9495
30
U.SDiplomacy,TheoriesofInternationalRelations
31
Sparknotes,TheoriesofInternationalRelations
32
Firstworldwar.com,WoodrowWilsonsFourteenPointsSpeech,8January1918
33
OxfordBibliographies,Liberalism
34
Sparknotes,TheoriesofInternationalRelations
35
OxfordBibliographies,Constructivism
36
InternationalRelations,Constructivism

HarshVerma1227
 HarshVerma1227
37
internationalsystemchange. Thesecoreprinciplesformthebasisof
constructivismasaschoolofthoughtininternationalrelations.

Figure1.1.2Asupplementarydiagramofthethreemainschoolsofthoughtininternational
38
relationsandtheirproponents,adherentsandpractitioners.

37
30SecondPolitics:ThemostThoughtprovokingTheoriesinPolitics,Constructivism,p
150
38
GettyImages,ForeignPolicy.com,OneWorldRivalTheories,FromTheorytoPractice

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 HarshVerma1227

Figure1.1.3Asupplementarydiagramillustratingthemainelementsofeachmajorschoolof
thoughtininternationalrelations,includingtheirexplanationsofarelevantpolitical
39
phenomenon.
Thisinvestigationseekstotestthevalidityofthehypothesisthatrealismisthe
mostsuccessfulapproachtointernationalrelationsintheWestphalian
internationalsystemandintheeventoffailuretheinvestigationseeksto
proposeanalternativeapproachtointernationalrelationsintheWestphalian
internationalsystemthatcanbeconsideredasbeingsuccessful.Totestthe
validityofthehypothesisthisinvestigationwillnowconsidertheroleplayedby
thethreemainschoolsofthoughtininternationalrelationsintheC20th,the
possibleapproachestopresentdayissuesinworldpoliticsandthenarratives
thateachschoolofthoughtoffersinattemptingtounderstandhow
internationalrelationswillbeconductedinfuture.Eachschoolofthoughtwill
beexaminedacrossallofthesescenariostodeterminewhichschoolisthe
mostsuccessfulbydeterminingwhichtheorysuccessfullyallowstheadherent

39
GettyImages,ForeignPolicy.com,OneWorldRivalTheories,TheLeadingBrands

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 HarshVerma1227

Statetoachievetheirforeignpolicyobjectivesinmostifnotallofthese
scenarios.
2.TheAnalysis

2.1HistoricalEvaluation

Fromarealistperspective,theeventsoftheColdWarillustratedtheconflict
betweentheUSAandtheUSSRastheystrivedtoacquirepowerand
preservetheirownexistence.TheUSsbehaviourtowardstheUSSR
between1945and1991clearlyillustratedtheUSssuccessinensuringits
ownsurvivalwhilstexpandingitsinfluenceintheworld.In1948,Stalin
initiatedtheBerlinBlockadewhichledtothedisruptionoftheflowofUS
40
supplies[]tothewesternAlliessectorofBerlin. Stalinsoughtto
41
establishSovietdominanceintheEasternoccupationzone. Though
[unsure]ofSovietmotives,Trumanauthorisedatemporaryairliftofessential
suppliesintoBerlinhewasdeterminedtoavertamilitaryconfrontation[]
Eventually,TrumanandtheairliftsucceededagainsttheblockadeandStalin
42
gavein[][In]May1949that[sic]endedtheblockade. Thesuccessofthe
BerlinAirliftin1949demonstratedtheUSssuccessinpreventingthe
outbreakofhostilitieswiththeUSSR,whilstmaintainingitspresenceinBerlin
inspiteoftherisingtensionbetweenthetwocountries.TheBerlinAirlift
demonstratedthesuccessofarealistforeignpolicythroughtheUSs
adherencetotherealistprinciplesofselfpreservationandtheacquisitionof
powerwhichledtoapeacefulandprogressiveresponsetotheBerlin
Blockade.Thoughaminorweaknessofthisapproachwastheuseof
BerlinersasinstrumentsbywhichtoexpandUSinfluenceinEuropeandthe
inherentrejectionofanymoralconsiderationsforthewellbeingofthese
people.Thoughthissupposedweaknessbecomesastrengthofrealismwhen
consideredinthecontextofUtilitarianism.Realismshiftsfrombeingselfish
andamoraltoanethicalapproachtopoliticswhenitsprescriptionsare
recognisedfortheirteleologicalandconsequentialistvalue,egtheUSpolicy
ofreconstructingthePhilippinesandJapanintomodelstatesthroughcultural
43
imperialismin1946and1952respectively. Overall,theColdWarillustrated
theconflictbetweentheUSAandtheUSSRastheystrivedtoacquirepower
andensuretheirownexistence.TheresultsofhistoricalUSforeignpolicy,
whencomparedagainsttheprinciplesofrealism,providestrongevidencefor
realismbeingthemostsuccessfulapproachtointernationalrelationsbecause
ofitssuccessinacquiringpowerandpreservingAmericasexistence.

Fromaliberalperspective,theeventsoftheColdWarillustratedtheconflict
betweentheUSAandUSSRsideologies.TheUSAsbehaviourtowardsthe
USSRbetween1945and1991clearlyillustratedtheUSssuccessin
preservingandexportingdemocracyacrosstheworld.Topreventthespread
ofSovietcommunismineconomicallydepressedEuropepostWorldWar

40
Vietnam,KoreaandUSForeignPolicy194575,TheBerlincrisis,19489,p29
41
ToSaveaCity:TheBerlinAirlift194849,p10
42
Vietnam,KoreaandUSForeignPolicy194575,TheBerlincrisis,19489,p29
43
TheUSAandtheColdWarinAsia194575,Stage4:integratedColdWarpolicywhen
treatiesrecognisedtheofficialstatusofJapanatthecentreofaUSdefensivestrategy,p34

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Two,theUSprovided$400millioninMarshallAidtoreconstructEuropeand
44
returnittoprosperity. Simultaneously,theUSimplementedtheTruman
Doctrinein1947tosupportfreepeopleswhoareresistingattempted
45
subjugationbyarmedminoritiesorbyoutsidepressures. The
implementationofthesetwopoliciesin1947demonstratedtheUSssuccess
inpreventingthespreadofcommunisminEuropeaswellthepreservationof
liberaldemocracywhilstmaintainingitsinfluenceinEuropeandprestigein
theeyesofitsallies.TheMarshallAidandtheTrumanDoctrinedemonstrated
thesuccessofaliberalforeignpolicythroughtheUSsadherencetothe
liberalprinciplesoftheestablishmentofliberaldemocraciesacrosstheworld
andthereductionintheuseofmilitarypowertoachievenationalobjectives.
AlthoughasignificantweaknessofthisapproachisfoundinGeorgeKennans
LongTelegramin1946,whichstatedTheUSSRisapoliticalforcewith
fanaticalcommitmenttothebeliefthattherecanbenopermanent
coexistencewiththeUnitedStates.TosecureSovietpower,Moscowfeelsit
mustdisrupttheinternalharmonyofoursociety,destroyourtraditionalwayof
lifeandbreaktheinternationalauthorityofourstate.Thisthreatis
46
undoubtedlythegreatestchallengewhichwewilleverhavetoface. The
assessmentthattheUSSRopposedtheUSAandthuspresentedathreatto
theUSpossessedconsiderablerealistovertonesdespitetheapproach
adheringtoliberalism.Thissuggeststhatliberalismissimilarenoughto
realismtowarrantadiscussionoverwhetherornotitisindeedaseparate
approachtointernationalrelations.Thisuncertaintyoverthecharacterof
liberalismunderminesitsintegrityandthuslegitimacyasanapproachto
internationalrelationsduetoitpotentiallybeingarebrandingofrealism.
Overall,theColdWarillustratedtheconflictbetweentheUSAandthe
USSRsideologies.TheresultsofhistoricalUSforeignpolicy,when
comparedagainsttheprinciplesofliberalism,providestrongevidencefor
realismbeingthemostsuccessfulapproachtointernationalrelationsbecause
ofliberalismssimilaritiestorealismsuggestingthatrealismisstillmore
effectiveasanapproachtointernationalrelations.

Fromaconstructivistperspective,theeventsoftheColdWardemonstrated
theconflictbetweentheUSAandtheUSSRinattemptingtocreatetheirown
respectivepreferredrealitiesintheinternationalsystemattheexpenseofthe
47
other. InApril1950,PresidentTrumanacceptedNSC68ssuggestionof
thetriplingofAmericasdefencebudgettobuildupamassiveUSmilitary
48 49
presencetocombattheadvanceoftheUSSR. , Thispolicywasknown

44
TheUSAandtheColdWarinAsia194575,MarshallAid,p17
45
Ibid,TheTrumanDoctrine,p17
46
Ibid,GeorgeKennansLongTelegram,February1946,p16
47
Preferredrealitiesinthecontextofconstructivismcanbedescribedasadeliberate
constructionoftheinternationalsystemaccordingtoanidealstateofbeingenvisionedinthe
foreignpolicyofaState.Noofficialdefinitionwasavailableatthetimeofwriting,21:3128April
2015.
48
DefinitionfromTheUSAandtheColdWarinAsia194575forNSC68,AUSNational
SecurityCouncilreviewdocumentthatproposedthetriplingofAmericasdefencebudgetto
buildupamassiveUSmilitarypresencetocombattheadvanceoftheUSSR.
49
TheUSAandtheColdWarinAsia194575,HowfardidNSC68representachangeora
continuityofpolicy?,p49

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simplyascontainmentbecauseitsoughttolimitthespreadofcommunism
50
butnotpushitback. Inaccordancewiththepolicyofcontainment,theUS
supportedtheRepublicofKoreaunderSyngmanRheeduringthebreakoutof
51
theKoreanWarin1950. TheUSsupportedtheRoKundertheaegisofthe
UnitedNationsinordertodenyStalinanopportunitytounitetheRoKandthe
52
DemocraticRepublicofKoreaunderthebannerofSovietcommunism. The
policyofcontainmentdemonstratedthesuccessandfailureofUSforeign
policyinattemptingtoestablishapreferredreality.Containment
demonstratedthesuccessofaconstructivistforeignpolicythroughtheUSs
adherencetocreatingapreferredreality.Althoughconstructivismisflawedby
itssuggestionthattheinternationalsystemisconstructedbythe
selfperceptionsofStatesandtheirownunderstandingoftheinternational
53
environment. Thisleadstoalackofdefinitiveandconcretecriteriabywhich
tomeasurethesuccessofhistoricalUSforeignpolicy,andthusweakens
constructivismsutilityasanapproachtointernationalrelations.Ontheother
hand,realismandliberalismhaverelativelymoreconcreteanddefinitive
criteriabywhichtomeasurethesuccessofhistoricalUSforeignpolicy.
Furthermore,constructivismslackofobjectiveunderminesitsutilityfurtheras
itmerelyoffersanapproachtointernationalrelationsbutneglectstoprovide
anexplanationastowhyaStateshouldadheretotheparticularcoursesof
actionthatitprescribes.Thislendsliberalismandrealismfurthercredenceas
approachestointernationalrelationsastheysucceedinprovidingan
objectivetointernationalrelations.Ultimately,realismisrelativelymore
successfulasanapproachtointernationalrelationsthanconstructivismor
evenliberalismbecauseitprovidesobjectivecriteriabywhichtomeasurethe
successofhistoricalUSforeignpolicybythiscriteriabeingsurvivalandthe
54 55
acquisitionofpower. ,

Thehistoricalevaluationissupportedbyamixtureofreliableandrelevant
primaryandsecondarysources.Theprimaryandsecondarysourcesused
weredrawnfromschooltextbooksonthesubjectoftheColdWarandthus
areofsufficientacademicintegrityastheyhavebeensubjecttoscrutinyby
historianswhospecialiseintheColdWar,egSheilaRandallandChristine
Bragg.Theywouldalsohavebeenscrutinisedbythecommissioningexam
board,egEdexcelandOCR,toensureimpartialityastheyhavevested
interestsinensuringthematerialstheyendorsearefactualandaccurate.As
organisations,EdexcelandOCRaredivorcedfromtheeventsoftheCold
Warandthuswouldhavenoreasontoprimetheirsourcestofavourany
particularviewpoint.Althoughthewritersmayhavebeeninstructedbythe
examboardstoconstructasterilisedaccountofhistoryfortheexpress
purposeofmakingitmoreaccessibletostudentsandsowouldbelessuseful
tothisinvestigationbutnotunreliable.Overall,thesourcesusedare

50
Vietnam,KoreaandUSForeignPolicy194575,NSCDocument68,p31
51
TheUSAandtheColdWarinAsia194575,WhatwasthesignificanceofNSC68?,p66
52
Vietnam,KoreaandUSForeignPolicy194575,NorthKorea,p46
53
30SecondPolitics:ThemostThoughtprovokingTheoriesinPolitics,Constructivism,p
150
54
Sparknotes,TheoriesofInternationalRelations
55
W.WNorton&Company,Inc,EssentialsofInternationalRelations

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appropriatebecauseoftheirspecialistnatureandarereliableduetothem
beingacademictexts.

2.2ContemporaryEvaluation

RealistswouldunderstandtheeventsoftheC21stinworldpoliticsasbeing
theresultofStatesseekingtokeep[]power,increas[e]powerand
56
demonstrat[e]power. Theeventsof9/11broughtaboutsignificantchange
intheconductofinternationalrelationsintheC21st.Priortotheattacks,the
WestfocusedonmaintainingthepeacefollowingtheendoftheColdWarin
1991andindoingsofailedtorecognisethethreatposedbyAlQaedaand
othernonstateactors.Following9/11,theWestfocuseditsattentionon
fightingthethreatposedbyinternationalterrorisminwhatisknownasthe
57
WaronTerror. AsignificantconsequenceoftheseattackswastheWarin
Afghanistanwhichofficiallybeganin2001whenPresidentBushsignedinto
lawtheAuthorizationforUseofMilitaryForcethisjointresolutionwith
58
CongressformedthelegalbasisfortheWarinAfghanistan. Therealist
understandingoftheimpactof9/11oninternationalrelationsprovidesa
consistentandcohesiveaccountofthechangesanddevelopmentsthat
resultedfromtheattackswhilstremainingconsistentwithitsownprinciples.
TheUSreactionto9/11providesaprimafacieexampleoftheprincipleof
selfpreservationinactionandthusprovidesstrongevidencefortherealist
narrativewhichalsosuggeststhattheUSwasbehavingaccordingtothe
59 60
theoryofoffensiverealism. , Therealistnarrativeischallengedbythe
liberalprincipleofinternationalcooperationwhichisstronglyevidencedby
61
NATOsestablishmentofISAF. ThemereexistenceofISAFchallengedthe
egocentrismofrealismsprinciplesandsuggeststhatliberalismmaystillhave
credenceasatheoryofinternationalrelations.Althoughaconvincingrealist
explanationforISAFsexistencecanbefoundintheprincipleof
selfpreservationStateswerecooperatinginthemultilateraleffortthatis
ISAFbecauseitwasmutuallybeneficialforallStatesinvolvedtocooperate
indefeatingcommonthreatstotheirsurvival.Overall,realismisthemost
successfulapproachtointernationalrelationsbecauseitprovidesan
encompassingnarrativeofC21stworldpoliticsthatisinternallyconsistent.

LiberalswouldunderstandtheeventsoftheC21stinworldpoliticsasbeing
theresultofStatesengagingininternationalcooperationtoresolvedisputes
andaninternationalreductionintheuseofmilitaryforceinpursuingnational

56
30SecondPolitics:ThemostThoughtprovokingTheoriesinPolitics,HansMorgenthau,p
141
57
PeaceIslandsInstitute,911ANDITSIMPACTSONINTERNATIONALRELATIONS,Part
1,JohnKMenzies,YouTubevideo
58
CouncilonForeignRelations,U.S.WarinAfghanistan
59
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforprimafacie,atfirstappearanceatfirstview,before
investigation.orplainorclearselfevidentobvious.
60
JournalofInternationalRelationsandDevelopment,JohnJ.Mearsheimer:anoffensive
realistbetweengeopoliticsandpower,pp381408
61
DefinitionfromNATO.intforISAF,InternationalSecurityAssistanceForce(ISAF)in
Afghanistan.

HarshVerma1227
 HarshVerma1227
62
objectives. FollowingthedefeatoftheTalibangovernmentofAfghanistanin
2001,theUSengagedinnationbuildingandstatebuildingexercisesinan
63 64 65
attempttopreventfurtherattacksagainsttheWestfromoccurring. , , The
effortsofISAFandtheUScombinedsucceededinintroducingdemocracyto
Afghanistanintheformofthe2004presidentialelectionwhichresultedin
HamidKarzaibecomingthefirstdemocraticallyelectedpresidentof
66
Afghanistan. TheeffortsofNATO,ISAFandtheWestinAfghanistansince
2001havesignificantlyreducedtheterroristthreattotheUKfromthisregion.
67
TheimplementationofdemocracyinthefailedStateofAfghanistanbythe
Weststronglyresonateswiththeliberalprincipleofexportingdemocracy
abroad.TheWarinAfghanistanisaclearexampleofhowsuccessful
liberalismcanbeasanapproachtointernationalrelationsbecauseitledto
theWesteliminatingthethreatofterrorismbeingexportedoutofAfghanistan.
AlthoughthissuccessisheavilydiminishedbythefactthattheWarsunk
$685.6billionfortheUSand37billionforBritainintofinancingtheWar(a
68 69
disputablefigure). , ThesecostscouldhavebeenavoidediftheWest
pursuedarealistapproachwhichwouldhaveavoidedthesecostsbynot
obeyingtheliberalrequirementofexportingdemocracyabroad.Ontheother
hand,liberalismfailedsignificantlybecauseoftwopracticalissuesfirstlyit
assumedthattheAfghanpeoplewouldbereceptivetotheimplementationof
democracywhen,infact,Afghanattitudestowardsdemocracywere
70
unfavourable. (NoteFigure2.2.1)Secondly,itignoredtheroleofPakistanin
harbouringAlQaedaoperativeswhoarestillcurrentlyengagedinterrorist
71
activitiesagainsttheWest. Liberalismfailstorecognisethatnotallnations
arewillingtoembracedemocracyandthusriskscreatingpoliticalinstability
whereveritisforcefullyimplemented.Itagainfailstoprovideasolutionto
pacifyingthethreatposedbythePakistaniAlQaedachapterwithout
compromisingPakistanssovereigntywhichviolatestheprinciplesof
liberalism.Inlightofthisevaluation,liberalismfailsasanapproachto
internationalrelationsbecauseitrisksviolatingitsownprincipleswhereas
realismwouldbethemoresuccessfulapproachtointernationalrelations
becauseitdoesnotcompromiseitsownprinciples.
62
OxfordBibliographies,Liberalism
63
DefinitionfromForeignPolicyinProgress,NationBuildinginAfghanistan:TheUnitedStates
canlearnfromthemistakesmadeinIraqtocraftanewapproachtoAfghanistan.fornation
building,construct[ion][of]roads,schoolsandotherprojects[inapostconflictorfailedcountry
byanexternalparty].
64
DefinitionfromForeignPolicyinProgress,NationBuildinginAfghanistan:TheUnitedStates
canlearnfromthemistakesmadeinIraqtocraftanewapproachtoAfghanistan.forstate
building,furtherdevelopstheinstitutionsofgovernment[inapostconflictorfailedcountryby
anexternalparty].
65
ForeignPolicyinFocus,NationBuildinginAfghanistan:TheUnitedStatescanlearnfrom
themistakesmadeinIraqtocraftanewapproachtoAfghanistan.
66
Gov.uk,TheUK'sworkinAfghanistan:timeline,2004:HamidKarzaiconfirmedasPresident
ofAfghanistan
67
Army.mod.uk,TheBritishArmyinAfghanistan
68
Time,TheTrueCostoftheAfghanistanWarMaySurpriseYou,
69
TheGuardian,AfghanistanWarhascostBritainmorethan3.7bn,newbookclaims
70
PewResearchCenter:Religion&PublicLife,TheWorldsMuslims:Religion,Politicsand
Society
71
InstituteforSocialPolicyandUnderstanding,AlQaedaandPakistan:CurrentRoleand
FutureConsiderations

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 HarshVerma1227

Fig2.2.1ThisgraphshowsthepercentageofMuslimsinAfghanistanthatsupportSharialaw
incomparisontothepercentageofMuslimsthatsupportSharialawinothercountriesacross
theglobe.ThisgraphalsoshowstheAfghansocialattitudetowardsdemocracyasbeing
72
unfavourable.

PewResearchCenter,TheWorldsMuslims:Religion,PoliticsandSociety,Supportfor
72

Sharia

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 HarshVerma1227

ConstructivistswouldunderstandtheeventsoftheC21stinworldpoliticsas
73
beingtheresultofStatesattemptingtoachievetheirpreferredrealities. The
FirstGulfWarof19901991wasfoughtbytheWestagainstIraqbecauseit
74
failedtocomplywithUNSecurityCouncilresolutions. TheWarwas
instigatedbySaddamHusseinwhenheorderedtheinvasionandoccupation
75
ofKuwaitinAugust1990. Afterseveralmonthsoffailedattemptsat
diplomacy,theUSbegananoffensiveaircampaignagainstIraqfollowingthe
November1990UNSecurityCouncilresolutionauthorisingoffensive
76
operationsagainstIraq. TheUSsoughttoliberateKuwaitofIraqi
occupation,restoreKuwaitslegitimategovernment,securethesecurityand
stabilityofSaudiArabiaandtheentireGulfregionthroughOperationDesert
77
ShieldinAugust1990. TheeventsoftheFirstGulfWarresonatewiththe
constructivistprinciplethatStatesseektocreatetheirownpreferredrealities
intheinternationalsystem.TheWardemonstratedthebehaviouroftheWest
intheinternationalsystemasbeingpivotalinpreservingthestatusquo.The
USledcoalitionsoughttoreverseIraqsadvancewhilstprotectingtheirally,
78
SaudiArabia. ThisisaclearillustrationthattheWestareresponsiblefor
shapingtheinternationalsystemasitisanexampleofWesterninterventionin
theMiddleEasttoprotectWesterninterests.Thisprovidesstrongevidence
forconstructivismbeingaviableandsuccessfulapproachtointernational
relationsbecauseitprovidesaconvincingexplanationforWesternoperations
intheMiddleEast.Inspiteofthissuccess,realismisstillthemostsuccessful
approachtointernationalrelationsbecausenotonlycanitexplaintheevents
oftheFirstGulfWarasbeinganexampleoftheWestactingaccordingtothe
principleofselfpreservation,itcanalsoexplainthewarpostbellumandhowit
79
causedtheSecondGulfWar. Overall,realismisthemostsuccessful
approachtointernationalrelationsbecauseitoffersamorecompletenarrative
ofthebehaviouroftheWestfrom1990to2011intheGulfregionthan
constructivism.

Thecontemporaryevaluationissupportedbyamixtureofreliableand
relevantprimaryandsecondarysources.Theprimaryandsecondarysources
usedweredrawnfromacademicsourcesavailablethroughtheInternetorin
books.Thesourcesavailableontheinternetwerefilteredandscrutinisedfor
theirsourcesreputation,credibilityandagenda.Theonlinesources
EncyclopaediaBritannicaandthePewResearchCenterarebothrenowned
fortheirauthorityonacademicsubjectmattersandinternationalrelations
respectivelyandthuscanbeconsideredreliableforboththeirreputations
beingrespectable,butalsofortheirutility.Althoughatertiarysource,
Britannicasutilityisundeniableasitispublishedafterbeingsubjectto
editorialscrutinyinordertomeetBritannicashighstandardofquality.The

73
30SecondPolitics:ThemostThoughtprovokingTheoriesinPolitics,Constructivism,p
150
74
History.com,PersianGulfWar
75
Ibid.
76
EncyclopaediaBritannica,PersianGulfWar:19901991
77
UnderstandingPeacekeeping,TheUNandtheGulfWar
78
EncyclopaediaBritannica,PersianGulfWar:19901991
79
DefinitionfromMerriamWebsterforpostbellum,of,relatingto,orcharacteristicoftheperiod
followingawar...

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 HarshVerma1227

booksconsultedarefarmorereliablethantheInternetbecauseofthequality
checksimposedbypublishinghouses.ThePoliticsBookisanextremely
reliablesourceduetoDKsreputationasaqualityauthorityonacademic
subjects,aswellastheirlackofpoliticalassociationallowingthemtoremain
politicallyneutral.AusefulbutrestrainedsourcewasthepublictalkatKings
CollegeLondonwhichwasdeliveredbyaUSambassadorontheUkrainian
Crisisandthusbasedonclassifiedintelligencebutbyvirtueofthespeakers
position,censoredtopreventanyclassifiedinformationfrombeingrevealed.
Overall,thecontemporaryevaluationissupportedbyamixtureofreliableand
relevantprimaryandsecondarysources.

2.3HypotheticalEvaluation

ArealistprojectionofthefutureoftheinternationalsystemintheC21stentails
Statescontinuingtheirpursuitsforpowerwhilstmaintainingtheirownsurvival.
TheeventsoftheColdWarpolarisedtheinternationalsystembetweenthe
USAandtheUSSR,althoughColdWarhostilitiesceasedin1991,the
bipolarityoftheinternationalsystemremained.EvenintheC21st,the
consequencesoftheColdWarshapeworldpoliticstoday.TheRussian
annexationofCrimeain2014bearshallmarksofformerSovietaggressionin
80
Europe. TheresidualtensionbetweentheUSandtheUSSRstillscarsthe
KoreanPeninsulaalongthe38thparallelwhichmarkstheDMZbetweenthe
81
Koreas. WiththeworldstillbearingthescarsoftheColdWartoday,the
realistprojectionofthefutureentailsconflictbetweentheUSandtheRussian
FederationinEuropeasapotentialconsequenceoftheUkrainianCrisis
82
escalating. Furthermore,arealistprojectionwouldrecognisetheweakening
oftheUSeconomichegemonastheBRICStatescontinueexpandingtheir
economiesandbegintoadoptmoreproactiverolesontheworldstageby
83 84
2050. , Thismaypotentiallyleadtoasignificantincreaseintheseverityand
frequencyofsecuritydilemmasthroughouttheC21stbecauseoftheBRIC
StatesbeinginapositiontobeabletochallengetheWestandtheG7States
85 86
forpowerandevenhegemony. , Thiswouldalsothreatentodestabilisethe
Eurocentricityoftheinternationalsystemandpolarisetheworldinasimilar
fashiontotheColdWarbetweentheG7andtherisingBRICStatesbecause
oftherealistassumptionthattheinternationalsystemiszerosumandthus
everygaininpowerbytheBRICStateswillalwaysresultinalossofpower
87 88
fortheG7. , Thisprojectionofthefutureofinternationalrelationsresonates

80
TheWallStreetJournal,NewColdWar?Obama,PutinAreSplit
81
Vietnam,KoreaandUSForeignPolicy194575,Conclusion,p45
82
KingsCollegeLondon,apublictalkbyDibble,EonSyria,Ukraine&USForeignPolicy:A
perspectivefromtheUSStateDepartment
83
Investopedia,Brazil,Russia,IndiaandChinaBRIC
84
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforhegemon,aperson,nation,etc.,thathasorexercises
hegemony.
85
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforWest,(initialcapitalletter)thenonCommunistcountries
ofWesternEuropeandtheAmericas.
86
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforG7,GroupofSeven:theeconomicallianceofCanada,
France,Germany,GreatBritain,Italy,Japan,andtheU.S.
87
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforEurocentrism,consideringEuropeandEuropeansas
focaltoworldculture,history,economics,etc.

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 HarshVerma1227

withtherealistprinciplesofselfpreservationandtheacquisitionofpower
becauseitpredictsthetrajectoriesofStatesontheassumptionthateach
Statewillstrivetodefendthemselvesfromeachotherwhilstalsoexecuting
foreignpoliciesthatservetheirnationalinterests,egpoweranddefence.On
theotherhand,thisprojectionmerelyassumesthatStateswillcontinueto
obeyrealistprinciplesinfutureanddoesnotaccommodatefortheroleplayed
bynonstateactorsinshapingtheinternationalsystem.Despitethis
assumption,thisprojectionbenefitsfrombeingfoundedonhistoricaland
contemporaryempiricalevidence(notebibliography)andattemptstoalign
thisevidencewithanarrativethatpredictsthefuturewhilstbeinganchoredin
reality.Overall,arealistprojectionofthefutureentailsStatescontinuingtheir
pursuitsforpowerwhilstensuringtheirownsurvival.

AliberalprojectionofthefutureentailsStatescontinuingtopursue
89
internationalcooperationanddemilitarisation. Liberalsforeseeaslowbut
inexorablejourneyawayfromtheanarchicworldtherealistsenvision,as
tradeandfinanceforgetiesbetweennations,anddemocraticnormsspread.
Becauseelectedleadersareaccountabletothepeople(whobearthe
burdensofwar),liberalsexpectthatdemocracieswillnotattackeachother
andwillregardeachothersregimesaslegitimateandnonthreatening.Many
liberalsalsobelievethattheruleoflawandtransparencyofdemocratic
processesmakeiteasiertosustaininternationalcooperation,especiallywhen
90
thesepracticesareenshrinedinmultilateralinstitutions. Essentially,liberals
expectthefuturetobringadvancestowardstheliberalprinciplesof
internationalcooperation,democratisationanddemilitarisation.Astrengthof
liberalismisthatithighlightsthecooperativepotentialofmature
democracies,especiallywhen[democracies]work[]togetherthrougheffective
[international]institutions[tomediateconflict].Thoughaweaknessofthe
liberalprojectionofthefutureofinternationalrelationsisthe[tendencyof
democracies]tocrusadeagainsttyranniesandthepropensityofemerging
91
democraciestocollapseintoviolentethnicturmoil. Thisweakness
illustratestheideologicalaggressioninherenttoliberalismwhichsuggests
significantsimilaritiestooffensiverealism,butofanideologicalnature.This
similarityalsosuggeststhatrealismisthemostsuccessfulapproachto
internationalrelationsbecauseitappearsasifliberalismstillleansonrealism
tosucceedinspiteofitsdeparturefromrealismscynicalworldview.Overall,
theliberalprojectionofthefutureofinternationalrelationssuggeststhat
realismisthemostsuccessfulapproachbecauseofliberalismsinherent
similaritiestorealism.

AconstructivistprojectionofthefutureentailsStatesactingtowardsachieving
92
theirpreferredrealitiesthroughinteractingwithotherStates. Constructivists
wouldregardtheinfluenceofnonStateactorsintheinternationalsystemas

88
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforZerosum,ofordenotingasysteminwhichthesumofthe
gainsequalsthesumofthelosses
89
OxfordBibliographies,Liberalism
90
ForeignPolicy.com,OneWorldRivalTheories,TheDividedHouseofLiberalism
91
Ibid.
92
OxfordBibliographies,Constructivism

HarshVerma1227
 HarshVerma1227
93
beingsignificant. Withtheworldbecomingmoreglobalisedandeconomies
moreinterdependentoneachother,theroleplayedbynonStateactorsis
expectedtoincreaseastherearemoreopportunitiesforthemtoactand
94
influencethebehaviourofStates. Internationalinstitutionsandtransnational
corporationsliketheAmnestyInternational,McDonaldsandeventerrorist
groupslikeAlQaedaareallgivenanunprecedentedroletoplayinthe
95
internationalsystem. Fromthisprojection,constructivistsalsoexpectthere
tobeanevengreaterinterplaybetweenStatesandnonstateactorsonthe
worldstage.Theconstructivistprojectionofthefutureisinnovativebecauseit
considerstheroleofnonStateactorswithgreaterregardthanliberalismor
realismwhilstalsorecognisingtheincreasingdominanceofinterdependency,
whichrealismignoresandglobalisation,whichrealismignores.Although
constructivismfailstoprovideobjectivecriteriabywhichtomeasurethe
successofaStatesforeignpolicybecauseitdoesnotdefineanobjective
preferredreality,insteaditregardsallpreferredrealities,whatevertheymay
be,asequal.Thisthreatenstoleadtheinternationalsystemintoastateof
multipolarityasStatesareallallowedtopursuetheirpreferredrealities
withoutanyconsiderationfortheconsequencesofanarchy.Overall,the
constructivistprojectionofthefuturefailstoprovideanyobjectivecriteriafor
successaswellasthreateningtobringaboutinternationalanarchythroughits
prescriptionofpursuingapreferredrealitythroughforeignpolicy.Thisleadsto
realismbeingamoresuccessfulapproachtointernationalrelationsbecauseit
prescribespowerandsurvivalasanobjectivecriteriaforsuccess.

Thehypotheticalevaluationissupportedbyamixtureofusefuland
appropriateprimaryandsecondarysources.Theprimaryandsecondary
sourcesusedweredrawnfromacademicsourcesavailablethroughonline
articlesfromonlineAmericanbroadsheetsandspecialistpublications.A
usefulprimarysourcewasForeignPolicy,whichisanonlineandprint
independentmagazinewhosepurposeandmission[is]toquestion
commonplaceviewsandgroupthinkandtogiveavoicetoalternativeviews
96
aboutAmericanforeignpolicy. Thisisanauthoritativesourceonthesubject
ofinternationalrelationsandapopularmediumbywhichtoshareand
transmitnewresearchintothefield.Thoughbyvirtueofitstechnicality,the
magazinemaybedifficultforthelaypersontoaccess.Thesecondarysources
usedwerealsoinformativeandtrustworthybecausetheyarehostedby
OxfordUniversityPresswhichisaworldleadinginstitutionindisseminating
andcataloguingacademicknowledge.Italsohastheadvantageofbeing
highlycitedinacademicworks,whichstronglysuggestsitishighlycredible.
Overall,thehypotheticalevaluationissupportedbyamixtureofusefuland
appropriateprimaryandsecondarysources.

3.TheConclusion

93
ForeignPolicy.com,OneWorldRivalTheories,IdealismsNewClothing
94
DefinitionfromDictionary.comforGlobalised,toextendtootherorallpartsoftheglobe
makeworldwide
95
ForeignPolicy.com,OneWorldRivalTheories,IdealismsNewClothing
96
Ibid,History,CreatedtoChallengeConventionalWisdom

HarshVerma1227
 HarshVerma1227

Thisinvestigationhasarrivedattheconclusionthatrealismisthemost
successfulapproachtointernationalrelationsintheWestphalianinternational
systembecauseofitsabilitytoprovideaconsistentandcohesiveaccountfor
thebehaviourofStatesinhistorical,contemporaryandhypotheticalscenarios
whilstavoidingtheshortcomingsofliberalismandconstructivism.Unlike
liberalism,realismadoptsarealisticapproachtointernationalrelationsand
prescribespracticalandconciseexplanationsforthebehaviourofStates.It
overcomesliberalismsprimaryweaknessofbeingidealisticbydescribingthe
behavioursofStatesintermsoftransactionsinazerosumgameandutility.
Unlikeconstructivism,realismprovidesconcreteanddefinitivecriteriato
measuresuccesswhilstconstructivismscriteriaforsuccesschanges
constantlyandaresuchimmeasurablebecauseitreliesonasubjective
understandingoftheinternationalsystem.Realismensuresitsownviabilityas
atheoryofinternationalrelationsbyconsideringthebehaviourofStatesin
accordancewithhumannature,aswellasbybalancingrigiditywithflexibility
inapproachinginternationalrelations.Realismdoesnotdenythepolitical
scientistorthepoliticianopportunitiestoimprovise,adaptandovercomethe
challengespresentedbyinternationalrelationsbecauseitprovidesprinciples
andrulestoguide,notdictate,theformulationofforeignpolicy.In
considerationofalltheevidence,realismisthebestapproachtointernational
relationsintheWestphalianinternationalsystembecauseofitsviabilityinthe
C21standabilitytoovercometheweaknessesofliberalismand
constructivism.

Thehistorical,contemporaryandhypotheticalevaluationsallleadtothe
conclusionthatrealismisthemostsuccessfulapproachtointernational
relationsintheWestphalianinternationalsystem.Thisconclusionis
supportedbyamixtureofreliable,relevantandusefulprimaryandsecondary
sources.Thesourcesusedthroughouttheevaluationshaveallbeen
assessed,scrutinisedandevaluatedfortheirusefulnessfirst,trustworthiness
secondandreliabilitylast.Thisallowsforrelevantandappropriatesourcesto
beidentifiedfirstandthenanalysedfortheirutilityaspartofthisinvestigation.
Themixtureofprimaryandsecondarysourcesallowforaninsightfuland
holisticanalysisofthehypothesiswhichaffordsthisinvestigationauthority
andcredibilityonparwiththeprofessionalacademicLiteraturealreadybeing
publishedonthesubjectofinternationalrelations.Overall,thisinvestigation
hasbeensupportedwithqualitysourcesofinformationinordertopreserve
academicintegrity.

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