Theoretical approaches in international relations offer an opportunity to help increase people's knowledge of how the social dynamics in the world work. These theoretical approaches are also valuable in shaping people's perspectives on important aspects of international politics as far as a social activity is concerned. The strategies help decision-makers in making choices regarding defense planning and foreign policies. Theoretical approaches in international relations include Marxism, liberalism, and realism theories. These theories, however, have strengths and weaknesses and how they validly apply in the study of conflict and security in international relations.
Realism is a theory with pervasive assumptions regarding the study of security. Realism theory takes into account the interests of the nations, protection, competition, and the power of the state in addressing interactions between states (Wohlforth 2012). Several strengths of realism exist. To begin with, realism does not associate conflict to the material impacts brought by economic integration, but instead, it is due to common feelings shared by the communities. Realism also ascertains similarities that exist between global political and domestic political spheres. However, realism has weaknesses. One of the weaknesses is that realists neglect the contribution of non-state actors, for example, multi-national corporations. Realism does not pay attention to non-military problems that are contemporary which have security impacts. Since realism recognizes the importance of justice as being helpful in interaction, it can be abused. Realism, however, is pessimistic in its focus on the history of recurring conflicts irrespective of its strengths when explaining world conflicts.
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Liberalism is a theoretical approach that mainly emphasizes cooperation among societies. The theory is formed based on reason, hope for diligence, and universal ethics. However, the theory has its strengths and weaknesses. One of the strengths of liberalism is collective security. For example, during the Kuwait invasion by Iraq, the international community came to its rescue and expelled Iraq. Another strength is that liberalism does not encourage the state's intervention in the lives of people hence reducing the risk of interfering with human rights. Lastly, liberalism believes that international cooperation is a way of attaining global harmony when merged with collective security. Western democracies’ trial to export liberalism to other states that are reluctant to adopt it is one of the weaknesses of liberalists. Some countries view the achievement of world peace through cooperation among nations as a weakness (Booth & Erskine 2016). Lastly, liberalism's perception about the world is of liberal institutionalism, whereby institutions of the world like the European Union are liberalized. The strengths of liberalism have outweighed the weaknesses as most countries have adopted the theory.
Marxism is a theory that is associated with economics but not politics. Marxism has its focus on domestic relations instead of social ties internationally. Marxism has specific strengths and weaknesses. One of the strengths is the creation of systems of true equality, where all genders are equal. Marxism help in the reduction of cases of debts since all states are working together. In a Marxist world, the community benefits mostly since all social forces of different communities are acknowledged. One of the weaknesses of Marxism is that it increases the chances of states becoming communist. The approach of Marxism focuses on “development of alternative social orders” when in defense planning (Vale 2013). This theory helps the defense planners in acceptance of specific policies that exist and use them in defense planning.
In conclusion, theoretical approaches in the study of conflict and security are very important as they help shape how people perceive the international policies and planning in the defense. The theoretical approaches include Marxism, liberalism, and realism. All these three have their strengths and weaknesses in international relations. Realism, however, is pessimistic regarding the recurring nature of conflicts, and therefore, the approach is not suitable. Liberalism is a theory whose strengths outweighs the weaknesses, and most countries have adopted it. Marxism, however, is more economical than political, but in this context, it helps in defense planning and enhancing security through acknowledgment of existing policies.
References
Booth, K., & Erskine, T. (Eds). (2016). International relations theory today. John Wiley & Sons.
Vale, P. (2013). Snapshots, synapses, and silences: social theory and military studies. Cape Town: UCT Press.
Wohlforth, WC. (2012). Realism and foreign policy. Foreign policy: Theories, actors, cases. Oxford; Oxford University Press.
