International Relations reply

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I feel it is 100% advantageous to have and use these theories and paradigms. To me, it shows that there are people out there that are constantly trying to find a way to make the entire world a better place.

Out of Stephan M. Walt’s three superior theories, realism and idealism really stuck out to me the most. Realism plays a major role in the past, present, and future keeping the power equally distributed through all the states. Without realism, there would be many states overpowering others creating many conflicts in the world we live in. Idealism is extremely useful and needed as well, highlighting key changes to the world’s sovereignty, human rights, and international justices. All of which are top priority for many people in today’s day and age.

The terrorist attack of 9/11/2001 has always been something I take a lot of pride in talking about. Prior to 9/11 people in America felt very safe and protected. Many left their family that morning, just like every other day to work in the world trade center, not knowing what was to come. Present day, so many people in the U.S. are terrified when they see someone from a different country or dressed differently. Because of many terrorist attacks, America is on edge. If I were a muslim living in America, I would not feel heartbroken seeing how many people view, post, and talk bad about different races or religions. It is unacceptable to diminish people because of their personal views, culture, or religion. I strongly believe in not judging a book by its cover. Moral of the story, 9/11 really showed the idealism in many Americans.

I believe my opinion is more worldview rather than a particular perspective. So many people act different towards people of color and/or a different culture. Due to many devastating events, that is how many people in America view the world today.

In recent history, actually more currently, the conflict in Palestine and Israel has really sparked my interest. Conflict in the middle east has relatively been on a decline in recent years since the removal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. My deployments in the middle east (between the years of 2014-2020) were unsatisfying with zero conflict while we were in 5th fleet. Now with the air strikes and bombardment of over 3,000 rockets from Hamas into Israel; the tension in the middle east has seemed to rise in recent months. After reading the required material before making this post, realism and liberals. Taking these two with different definitions in accordance with International Relations, the airstrikes from Hamas was from a realist theory. Realist do not believe everyone is good and often commit selfish acts without having sympathy for anyone else. The conflict between Palestine and Israel dates to the 15th century. Focusing more on recent conflict, Hamas does not agree with the Jewish states policy making of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. This compound is sacred to many religions, specifically being that of Jews and Muslims. This sacred site was pushing out Palestinians with the Jewish settlers moving in. the realism theory supports the behavior from both sides as conflict in the area has brought homelessness and conflict to the area.

There are some groups in the United States with a more liberal policy that believes the area belongs to all people and want the conflict to end. They also make comparison with systemic racism and the conflict in Palestine/Israel with how the Jewish state is “evicting” Palestinians from the area.

Also, I do believe that having multiple theories is advantageous when studying conflict in history and present time. Thinking it in layman’s terms, if everyone thought the same, then there would be no success or better opportunities for culture or the people that live on this earth. Sad to say, but conflict often inspires innovation. Think of the cold war and how it opened the door to success in the space industry. Or how ww2 brought the creations of NATO to make sure threats of communism didn’t expand past the soviet union (which eventually collapsed and now Russia is a federal republic state)