Realist, Liberal, And Identity Perspectives In Provide Exc

Reflectrealist Liberal And Identity Perspectives Provide Excellent

Reflect: Realist, liberal, and identity perspectives provide excellent insights into today’s contemporary world. The realist perspective generally emphasizes the importance of power in international politics. In general, power is the capacity to influence others to do things that they would otherwise not be likely to do. Power is derived from many sources, but realists often emphasize in particular military power and the control of vital resources. Liberal views of the contemporary world focus on the integrating forces of international institutions and economic interdependence. The 1990s, according to the liberal perspective, provides extensive examples of the role of international institutions in collective security, legitimizing intervention into the affairs of other states. Identity perspectives focus on religious, ethnic, and national differences and on the role of political reform in integrating different groups and promoting tolerance. The identity perspective sees ethnic conflicts as socially created and advocates tolerance and democratization as the most effective answers to those conflicts. Consequently, knowledge of all three perspectives is needed in order to form a coherent, comprehensive picture of today’s international environment. Write: In your initial post of at least 200 words, use one of the major IR perspectives (realist, liberal, or identity) discussed for support to explain which is the greater threat in today’s world: ethnic conflicts or terrorism? Why?

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over whether ethnic conflicts or terrorism pose a greater threat in today’s world requires a comprehensive analysis from the perspectives within international relations (IR). Using a realist perspective, one can argue that terrorism represents a more immediate and significant threat to global stability than ethnic conflicts. Realists prioritize power, sovereignty, military strength, and the strategic balance among states (Mearsheimer, 2001). Terrorism, often perpetrated by non-state actors, challenges traditional notions of state sovereignty and can destabilize entire regions through acts of violence targeting civilians and infrastructure. Such acts can incite broader conflicts, provoke military interventions, and undermine international security frameworks (Schmid, 2011).

While ethnic conflicts are also serious, they are often localized or regional in scope and tend to be driven by historical grievances, identity politics, or resource competition, which may not necessarily threaten global stability unless they escalate into wider conflicts (Cederman et al., 2010). However, terrorism’s transnational nature and its capacity to be used as a tool by ideological or political groups make it a more immediate threat, capable of crossing borders rapidly and causing widespread chaos. Moreover, terrorist groups like ISIS have sought to establish global networks that pose ongoing threats beyond their immediate regions, which highlights the greater urgency of addressing terrorism from a realist standpoint (Downing, 2012).

From a strategic and security standpoint, realists would argue that combating terrorism requires maintaining strong military capabilities, intelligence operations, and international cooperation—factors critical in preventing terrorist acts before they occur (Krasner, 2008). Ethnic conflicts, while devastating internally, do not usually pose the same level of threat to international stability unless they escalate into broader conflicts or alliances. Therefore, from a realist perspective, terrorism constitutes the more urgent and pervasive threat in today’s world, demanding prioritized security measures and strategic responses.

In conclusion, while ethnic conflicts still require attention and resolution, the global and transnational character of terrorism makes it a more significant threat to international stability and security. Recognizing this, policymakers should focus on strengthening military and intelligence capabilities and fostering international cooperation to effectively combat terrorism, as it presents a more immediate and pervasive danger in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

References

1. Cederman, L. H., Gleditsch, N. P., & Ward, M. D. (2010). Ethnicity and Armed Conflict. Routledge.
2. Downing, T. (2012). The Routledge Handbook of Terrorism Research. Routledge.
3. Krasner, S. D. (2008). Sovereignty: Organized Hypocrisy. Princeton University Press.
4. Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. W. W. Norton & Company.
5. Schmid, A. P. (2011). The Definition of Terrorism. In The Routledge Handbook of Terrorism Research (pp. 39-98). Routledge.