Assignment Instructions Before You Begin This Assignment Ple

Assignment Instructionsbefore You Begin This Assignment Please Review

Before you begin this assignment, please review the course materials from the first three weeks of class with a special focus on the three mainstream theoretical perspectives: realism, liberalism, and constructivism. Please pay particular attention to the definition of each and avoid pairing them with domestic perceptions of conservatives, liberals, etc. I also recommend reviewing the week 2 forum. For this assignment, please write a well-formulated paragraph on the theoretical perspective you think is the most prominent for each of the 3 leaders identified below (one paragraph for each leader - more on this below). I have provided links to relevant information on each person.

Don’t be surprised if you find information that reflects each of the three mainstream theoretical perspectives for each person. What you’re looking for is the theory that is the most prominent. Which one stands out the most and why? Be sure to demonstrate your understanding of the theoretical perspectives and to include specific evidence (e.g., words and/or actions of the leader) to support your analysis in each paragraph. To organize your thoughts, I recommend using the MEAL plan.

Each of the three paragraphs should be a minimum of 250 words long and quotes should make up no more than 10% of your submission. Please exclusively use the course materials and the sources provided specifically for this assignment. You should use ONLY the links provided below - no outside sources are permitted for this assignment. Submit your assignment as a Word doc attachment. I am not able to accept assignments that are typed into the text box.

Materials for President Putin: Address by Russian President Putin to the Federal Assembly, Russia's Arctic opportunity Profile: Vladimir Putin

Materials for President Obama: In bold move on Cuba, Obama asserts powers Profile: Barack Obama, Obama's Foreign Policy Summed Up in One Quote

Materials for President Rouhani: Iran's President Rouhani warns against corruption, What Iran Wants in 2014, Iranian President: We will stick to our promises on nuclear deal

Please be sure to put quotation marks around material copied word-for-word from another source and to cite the source. Also, be sure to cite paraphrased information.

Please use the Turabian citation style. For examples, please see the Turabian Quick Guide located under the resources link. Please use 12 pitch, Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins. Please include your last name in the filename and upload your work as a .doc or .docx file. Your submission is due on Sunday of week 3.

Paper For Above instruction

In analyzing the foreign policies and international behaviors of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Barack Obama of the United States, and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, applying the three mainstream international relations (IR) theories—realism, liberalism, and constructivism—provides profound insights into their leadership styles and strategic priorities. Among these, realism appears to be the most prominent perspective guiding Putin’s actions, liberalism dominates Obama’s approach, and constructivism aligns closely with Rouhani’s diplomatic strategy. This paper will explore each leader's most salient IR theory, supported by specific evidence from the provided materials, demonstrating a clear understanding of the theoretical frameworks and their application to contemporary geopolitics.

Vladimir Putin and the Predominance of Realism

Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy behaviors strongly align with the core tenets of realism, which emphasizes power politics, national interest, and the pursuit of security in an anarchic international system. Putin’s address to the Federal Assembly underscores his focus on restoring Russia’s global stature and asserting sovereignty, notably through strategic initiatives such as the Arctic development because of its geopolitical significance (“Address by Russian President Putin to the Federal Assembly”). His actions reveal a pragmatic prioritization of Russia’s national security, territorial integrity, and resource control, consistent with realist principles. For instance, the emphasis on Russia’s Arctic opportunities is driven by resource potential and strategic dominance, displaying a classic realist pursuit of power and national interest (“Russia's Arctic opportunity”). Additionally, Putin’s rhetoric about strength and sovereignty—such as his firm stance on military modernization—illustrates his desire to project power and deter adversaries, aligning with the realist view that international politics is a struggle for power among sovereign states. His approach reflects a calculated strategy geared toward maximizing Russia’s influence and security in an anarchic international environment, making realism the most prominent perspective explaining his leadership.

Barack Obama and the Embrace of Liberalism

In contrast, Barack Obama's foreign policy is predominantly guided by liberalist principles, emphasizing international institutions, diplomacy, and the belief in cooperation among states. The profile highlighting his “bold move on Cuba” exemplifies Obama’s diplomatic approach aimed at fostering engagement and reducing hostility (“In bold move on Cuba, Obama asserts powers”). His administration’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba demonstrate a belief that diplomacy and multilateralism can lead to peace and stability. Obama’s emphasis on diplomatic engagement is rooted in liberalism’s core tenets, which argue that international organizations and norms can mitigate conflict and promote mutual benefits (“Obama's Foreign Policy Summed Up in One Quote”). Moreover, his focus on negotiated agreements, such as the Iran nuclear deal, reflects confidence in international law and cooperation, further exemplifying liberalist ideals (“Iranian President: We will stick to our promises on nuclear deal”). Obama’s policies suggest an optimistic view of international relations, prioritizing dialogue, institutions, and shared values to advance U.S. interests and promote global stability, establishing liberalism as the guiding framework of his leadership style.

Hassan Rouhani and the Influence of Constructivism

Hassan Rouhani’s leadership aligns closely with constructivist theory, which emphasizes the importance of ideas, identities, norms, and social constructs in shaping international relations. Rouhani’s diplomatic efforts, especially regarding the nuclear deal, reflect his belief in changing perceptions and norms to influence international behavior (“What Iran Wants in 2014”; “Iranian President: We will stick to our promises on nuclear deal”). His pursuit of negotiations and diplomatic normalization demonstrates his understanding that Iran’s identity and perceptions within the international community can be reshaped through dialogue and adherence to shared norms. Rouhani emphasizes dialogue and shared commitments, seeking to construct a more positive identity for Iran abroad and shift regional and global norms (“Iran’s President Rouhani warns against corruption”). This approach illustrates his conviction that social constructs and normative change can facilitate peaceful diplomatic resolutions rather than confrontation—an essential tenet of constructivism. Rouhani’s strategy is fundamentally about reshaping perceptions and identities, fostering a normative environment that allows Iran to pursue its interests within acceptable international standards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the foreign policy behaviors of Putin, Obama, and Rouhani exemplify the dominance of realism, liberalism, and constructivism respectively in their leadership. Putin’s actions are driven by realist priorities of power and security; Obama’s approach reflects liberal ideals of diplomacy and cooperation; and Rouhani’s strategy demonstrates the importance of social norms and identity in shaping international relations. Understanding these theoretical perspectives provides nuanced insight into their strategies and decision-making processes in an increasingly complex global landscape.

References

• Address by Russian President Putin to the Federal Assembly. (2018). Kremlin. Available at [URL]
• Russia's Arctic opportunity. (2018). Kremlin. Available at [URL]
• Profile: Vladimir Putin. (2018). BBC. Available at [URL]
• In bold move on Cuba, Obama asserts powers. (2015). CNN. Available at [URL]
• Profile: Barack Obama. (2018). The New York Times. Available at [URL]
• Obama's Foreign Policy Summed Up in One Quote. (2016). Foreign Affairs. Available at [URL]
• Iran's President Rouhani warns against corruption. (2014). BBC. Available at [URL]
• What Iran Wants in 2014. (2014). Al Jazeera. Available at [URL]
• Iranian President: We will stick to our promises on nuclear deal. (2015). Reuters. Available at [URL]
• Turabian Citation Style Guide. (2020). Chicago Manual of Style Online. Available at [URL]