IR Theory.doc

International relations theory is the study of international relations from a theoretical perspective; it attempts to provide a conceptual framework upon which international relations can be analyzed. The three most popular theories are realism, liberalism and constructivism. First, we will describe ideas and assumptions of these three theories. Second, we would like to discuss changes of International Relations theories after the Cold War with reference to the Peoples Republic of China.Realism claims to rely upon an ancient tradition of thought which includes writers such as Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Rousseau. It makes several key assumptions. It assumes that nation-states are unitary. Secondly, it assumes that sovereign states, rather than IGOs, NGOs or MNCs, are the primary actors in international affairs. Thus, states, as the highest order, are in competition with one another. As such, a state acts as a rational autonomous actor in pursuit of its own self-interest with a primary goal to maintain and ensure its own securityand thus its sovereignty and survival.Liberalism holds that state preferences, rather than state capabilities, are the primary determinant of state behavior. Liberalism also holds that interaction between states is not limited to the political/security (high politics), but also economic/cultural (low politics) whether through commercial firms, organizations or individuals. Thus, instead of an anarchic international system, there are plenty of opportunities for cooperation and broader notions of power, such as cultural capital. Another assumption is that absolute gains can be made through co-operation and interdependencethus peace can be achieved.The constructivism origin after the Cold War, the end of the 20th century. Constructivism primarily seeks to demonstrate how many core aspects of international relations are. Alexander Wendt calls two increasingly accepted basic tenets of Constructivism (1) that the structures of human association are determined primarily by shared ideas rather than material forces, and (2) that the identities and interests of purposive actors are constructed by these shared ideas rather than given by nature.The collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s means that the formal end of the Cold War. From then on, International Relations theory has many new changes, especially the rise of China. We will explain the changes of International Relations theories accordance with Chinas rise and its role in dealing with international relations.Multipolarity After the Cold War, The pattern that US-Soviet hegemony was broken, formed a multi-polar pattern or uni-multipolarity with the US as sole superpower accompanied by a number of major powers, such as China, Japan, European Union and Russia. China becomes one of the major powers mainly rely on its tremendous economic success, also known as Chinas peaceful rise. According to the ideas of Realism, one country must increase instability of the region and the world in its process of growth. And existing superpower or neighbors unwilling the rise of other countries, because that will be a threaten for its own securityand thus its sovereignty and survival. So China and the US or China and its neighbor have come to focus on each others actions as potentially threatening. Each worry about shifting balances of military power and mutual perceptions of resolve.Decline of nuclear deterrence, but a greater potential for conventional conflictsAfter the Cold War, the arms race stopped, big nuclear powers like America, Russia and China begin to reduce their nuclear weapons, and preventing other countries develop nuclear weapons like Iran and North Korea. All of these made a great contribution on the reduction of nuclear deterrence. But, conventional conflicts occurred in many cases since the end of the Cold War. The rise of UN activism to play police role lead to some conventional wars like Persian Gulf War, Iraq war and Afghan war, according to idealism, these behaviors implemented consistent with international law are important means to ensure regional security. When discussing the China, it still has many conflicts with its neighbors about Territorial issues, for instance, China - Japan Diaoyu Island issue and ChinaPhilippines Huangyan Island issue. These issues may be solved through joint development agreements or negotiated settlement of the regional organization, war is not a good solution. Rise of geo-economics/economic interdependenceSince the new century, with the imbalance of market, labor force and resources, there is a rise of economic interdependence. Such as many products made in China and sold worldwide, Major industrial countries should Importe oil from the Middle East. International trade disputes been a very important role affecting international relations. In other words, the rise of economic interdependence decline in importance of states as unitary actor. Therefore decline in importance of military/strategic issues. Such as China set standard barriers for fruit imports from Philippines, and making Philippines to change its tough stance on territorial disputes.Regionalization simultaneous with globalizationAfter the end of the Cold War, many regional organizations be established and strengthen. Take China as the reference, in economic field, it joined the APEC, which made tremendous contributions to the Asian Pacific Rims Economic and Trade. China attaches importance to cooperation with ASEAN, to maintain regional stability through economic cooperation. China also actively participate in international organizations, such as been a membership of the WTO, and active role in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, these are the embodiment of globalization. In terms of security, the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization with Russia and other countries, such like NATO, to Anti-terrorism and protect regional security. China as a member of UN Security Council, also sent peacekeepers to maintain regional stability.Rise of local/national/ethnic/ethno-religious movementsAfter the Tiananmen Incident, there are still many movements occurred in China. The number of demonstrations in China has risen dramatically, from about 10000 in 1993 to 58000 in 2003. Some are local movements, dissatisfaction for the distribution of benefits. Some are national movements, such as Anti-NATO procession for Belgrade embassy bombing. Some are ethnic movements, such as Xinjiang unrest. Some are ethno-religious movements, such as Tibet issue and Falun Gong. Which of them should be faced and resolved during the democratic transition. On the other hand, existence of these phenomena constrain Chinas peaceful rise or to be a superpower.End of history but clash of culture/civilizations?Soft power is a concept developed by Joseph Nye to describe the ability to attract and co-opt rather than coerce and rather than using force or money as a means of persuasion. This includes culture and civilizations. China focuses on soft power to enhance its international influence, such as establish Confucius Institut