This course created the opportunity to learn the benefit in the analysis and comprehending the rational for leaders decisions. My knowledge of current event and global issues was minimal. However, I now know that realism explains international relations in terms of power and that realists and idealists differ in …show more content…
Machiavelli was known as more of an extremist realist. Political theorist like Machiavelli believed that power was the most important concept in the realism theory.
In addition, the realism theory states world government states seek to protect their own interest against neighboring or rival states. Realism is centered on military power also known as hard power. However on the other hand liberalist believes that co-operation interaction between states is a much more effective means then military threat. Soft power allows states to come to a compromise, both in a ‘win-win’ situation. An example of this is Iran coming to a compromise with the United States on the issue of nuclear weapon. With both countries being rational and open-minded. Constructivists believe the world is socially constructed. Therefore, influencing people behaviors plays an important step in foreign policy decisions. (Goldstein, & Pevehouse, …show more content…
Money was very influential during the Italian renaissance, with Medici bank at one point being known as the largest and most respected bank in Europe. Money allows a state to advance in certain areas or example, technological and militarily. In contrast power is not the only significant factor in international relations as there are many other factors to consider. One of these factors is collective security, where the security of one state is the security of all states. This was shown in 1648 when the treaty of Westphalia was signed by varies empires in Europe, to end the thirty-year war between countries in Europe. The principle of sovereignty was introduced, meaning nothing is higher than the state, that all states are equal, states rule over their own territory, without the intervention of other states. This goes against the statement that power is the most important factor in international relations, as these countries were trying to avoid powerful countries ruling other people’s state. The constructivist theory also supports this as, communication and relationship was formed to make the Westphalia treaty successful. Therefore, influencing people behaviors plays an important step in foreign policy decisions. (Goldstein, & Pevehouse,