Kalsoom 1
One World, Rival Theories
Ume Kalsoom
GOVT 425
Liberty University
11 September 2017
Abstract:
In Jack Snyder’s essay One World, Rival Theories, he points out the three theories of
international relations. These three theories are Liberal, Realist, and Constructive. Snyder also
provides a brief overview of each theory and how each one specifically relates to democratic
peace. These three theories help identity both public discourse and policy analysis1. Jack Snyder
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1 Price-Smith, Andrew. Rising Threats, Enduring Challenges (New York: Oxford University Press, 2015).
clarifies each theory and discusses the assumptions in foreign policy and how they are linked to
each other to operate at the domestic level.
Defense:
Political scientist Stephen M. Walt outlined the three dominant approaches: realism,
liberalism, and and updated version of idealism called “constructivism.” Walt points out that
these three theories shape both public discourse and policy analysis.2 Liberalism focuses on the
“rising number of democracies and the turbulence of democratic transitions.”3 Idealism explains
the diverting sovereignty norms, “human rights, and international justice as well as the increased
potency of religious ideas in politics.”4 Realism focuses primarily on the shift of power among
states.
Realism “instills a pragmatic appreciation of the role of power but also warns that states
will suffer if they overreach.”5 At the core of realism is the belief that foreign affairs and their
policies were a power struggle among the states that were mainly selfish and cared most about
their self-interest. Realism states that the state with the most power utilizes that power to expand
its sphere of influence. 6 The core concept of realism – the balance of power- predicts that the
weaker states will join together to protect themselves from stronger states and reform a balance
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2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Mowle, Thomas S. "Worldviews in Foreign Policy: Realism, Liberalism, and External
Conflict." International Society of Political Psychology 24, no. 3
of power. This was portrayed when Germany, in the 19th century, became Europe’s top military
powerhouse, Russia and France then had to team up together to equal its power.7
The other theory is the theory of Liberalism. Liberalism underlines the “cooperative
potential of mature democracies, especially when working together through effective institutions,
but it also notes democracies’ tendency to crusade against tyrannies…”8 Free trade and and
globalization will promote and advance democracies. Trade and finance will grow stronger
between nations and will assist in democracy growth.9 Many liberals also believe that the rule of
law will make it easier to maintain cooperation through different institutions.
The last theory is Constructivism/Idealism. It states, “the belief that foreign policy is and
should be guided by ethical and legal standards…”10 Snyder states that constructivist find
“national interest” irrational. Constructivists argue that their theory is much more intense and
deeper than realism and liberalism because “it explains the origins of the forces that drive those
competing theories.”11
Jack Snyder has pointed out, all of these theories have pros and cons of their own. All of
the three theories bring together the idea that democracy will enhance and promote worldwide
peace and free trade and globalization will advance each states’ democracy.
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However, there is yet no plan on how to implement and put together all the positives of
these three theories and make it into a policy that will be both effective and plausible. One
7 Price-Smith, Andrew. Rising Threats, Enduring Challenges (New York: Oxford University
Press, 2015).
8 Ibid.
9 Reddick, Christopher G. "Testing Rival Decision-Making Theories on Budget Outputs:
Theories and Comparative Evidence." Public Budgeting & Finance
10 Price-Smith, Andrew. Rising Threats, Enduring Challenges (New York: Oxford University
Press, 2015).
11 Ibid.
theory, no matter how great, cannot be as effective as all three put together as one. We as readers
are left wondering, how would it be effective if all three theories were put together in one policy.
How would the idea of using the strengths and positives of each theory work together as a
whole? When Germany unified in the late 19th century and became Europe’s leading military
powerhouse, then, both Russia and France and also Britain combined their powers together to
counter the ultimate power of Germany. Just as all three theories combined would be much more
beneficial than each theory by themselves.
Bibliography
Mowle, Thomas S. "Worldviews in Foreign Policy: Realism, Liberalism, and External Conflict."
International Society of Political Psychology 24, no. 3 (2003): 561-592.
Price-Smith, Andrew. Rising Threats, Enduring Challenges. New York: Oxford University Press,
2015.
Reddick, Christopher G. "Testing Rival Decision-Making Theories on Budget Outputs: Theories
and Comparative Evidence." Public Budgeting & Finance, no. Fall (2002).
