Charisma is a trait that is very commonly attributed to politicians. However, charisma alone cannot win a president or other decision makers the favor of the general public and therefore a position in office. For everything else a good leader needs, there is what Jack Snyder refers to as rival theories; realism, liberalism, and idealism. Each of these three theories provides a different way of looking at the same problem, and by using all three of them in tandem, Snyder argues that presidents can better confront foreign policy challenges; using one alone is only partially useful in guiding the interpretation of current international dilemmas.
Before summarizing Snyder’s argument, it is important to understand what realism, idealism, and liberalism …show more content…
Snyder focuses on constructivism, which is a branch of idealism in which social reality is formed through debate about values. This is relevant to considering human rights and international justice. Without considering values, it is hard to go forward in a way that will not cause more harm than good, especially on a personal level. In foreign policy, it is important to consider how the general populous will be affected by the new policy. Will it defeat current values? The issue this brings to mind is the recent controversy over the NSA tapping phones and the right to privacy. Was the policy that allowed the NSA to listen into intimate, private conversations violating one’s right to themselves, their thoughts, and their ability to have this sort of privacy? It goes against American values, and yet, it was …show more content…
In war, nations will do whatever they need to in order to come out on top. It is important to remember that, like the realist would argue, there is currently a constant power struggle with weaker states trying to rise up the ladder. It is also prudent to consider the relationship between nations that democracy is striving for, as well as how the sweep so many nations are making to achieve a democratic government is affecting the world and relations between
Before summarizing Snyder’s argument, it is important to understand what realism, idealism, and liberalism …show more content…
Snyder focuses on constructivism, which is a branch of idealism in which social reality is formed through debate about values. This is relevant to considering human rights and international justice. Without considering values, it is hard to go forward in a way that will not cause more harm than good, especially on a personal level. In foreign policy, it is important to consider how the general populous will be affected by the new policy. Will it defeat current values? The issue this brings to mind is the recent controversy over the NSA tapping phones and the right to privacy. Was the policy that allowed the NSA to listen into intimate, private conversations violating one’s right to themselves, their thoughts, and their ability to have this sort of privacy? It goes against American values, and yet, it was …show more content…
In war, nations will do whatever they need to in order to come out on top. It is important to remember that, like the realist would argue, there is currently a constant power struggle with weaker states trying to rise up the ladder. It is also prudent to consider the relationship between nations that democracy is striving for, as well as how the sweep so many nations are making to achieve a democratic government is affecting the world and relations between