Realism vs. Liberalism in International Relations and War
Isabelle Bolla
Pol. 120
Nincic
Climate change is an inherently political and divisive issue in the realm of international relations.
Environmental politics as a global enquiry is a fairly new phenomena compared to issues like war, peace, and economic order. The environment – and more specifically climate change– has only come to be studied and analyzed systematically since the early 1990’s. Solving environmental problems is a problem of conflict and cooperation, which can be seemingly difficult to achieve on an international scale – as elucidated by David Hume in the meadow-draining problem posed in Treatise. Cooperation is further made difficult by revolving themes of power, morality, and interests. Since climate change is a global issue, realist and liberal international relations theories can be applied to climate politics in order to understand and identify the gains of various actors, and the potential for cooperation. This paper seeks to explore the inclusive relationship between climate change and international relations theories by assessing liberalist and realist predictions about international responses to climate change, and assessing which theory matches current international actions the most at the present moment. Does climate change challenge the dominant view of humans (and societies) as independent from the environment? In regards to climate change, what non-state actors play a key role in international relations, and can we continue to assert the belief of the state as central primary actor in international relations? With these questions in mind, we can assess which of the three dominant theories in international relations holds the most prescriptive power and sway in a world altered by climate change.
The political implications and ramifications of environmental degradation has been studied in societies that were restricted by ecological limits and capacity. Environmental issues like that of global warming, climate change, and ozone depletion
Pol. 120
Nincic
Climate change is an inherently political and divisive issue in the realm of international relations.
Environmental politics as a global enquiry is a fairly new phenomena compared to issues like war, peace, and economic order. The environment – and more specifically climate change– has only come to be studied and analyzed systematically since the early 1990’s. Solving environmental problems is a problem of conflict and cooperation, which can be seemingly difficult to achieve on an international scale – as elucidated by David Hume in the meadow-draining problem posed in Treatise. Cooperation is further made difficult by revolving themes of power, morality, and interests. Since climate change is a global issue, realist and liberal international relations theories can be applied to climate politics in order to understand and identify the gains of various actors, and the potential for cooperation. This paper seeks to explore the inclusive relationship between climate change and international relations theories by assessing liberalist and realist predictions about international responses to climate change, and assessing which theory matches current international actions the most at the present moment. Does climate change challenge the dominant view of humans (and societies) as independent from the environment? In regards to climate change, what non-state actors play a key role in international relations, and can we continue to assert the belief of the state as central primary actor in international relations? With these questions in mind, we can assess which of the three dominant theories in international relations holds the most prescriptive power and sway in a world altered by climate change.
The political implications and ramifications of environmental degradation has been studied in societies that were restricted by ecological limits and capacity. Environmental issues like that of global warming, climate change, and ozone depletion
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