Lots of discussions nowadays are turning around the theme of invasion of Iraq and growing power of United States as a strong military state. The politics of neorealism introduced by United States as the main course of country’s international relations suffers from critics proceeded from the camps of liberals, neoconservatives and classical realists who generally condemn the invasion itself and the mess that is caused not only on the territory of Iraq, but in the whole world. Let’s see step by step, how each International Relations theory criticizes neorealism.
Liberal theory by nature is directed on the achievement of peace and individual freedom.If it’s clearly possible within the territory of one country, the domestic analogy breaks down at the international level. A liberal analysis might claim that there’s no threat to the United States, but there’s a serious threat to other countries, that somehow fall under USA’s control, including Iraq. How come people that claimed to be upholders of high spiritual values that stand for eternal moral right for individual freedom, invade foreign state without any permission for that from international community?
The path chosen by government of United States is far from any liberal ideals and one has to be blind not to see the criminal negligence with respect to the rules and official resolutions. Naturally every single state has the right for government and political course that it chooses independently. If USA follows this course within its territory, then why do they neglect these rights of other state’s population? Liberals proclaim that it’s impossible to impose your own ideas on the foreign lands with or without permission because it ruins stability and well-established order. United States with this almost fascist invasion of Iraq that contradicts all possible ethical and political rules canceled out the results achieved before.
Neoconservatives argue that neorealism course can fundamentally undermine the authority or even destroy completely so-called “American dream”, a guide for those who want to achieve prosperity and live in peace with ambient. Neorealist course has already change international community’s attitude towards American values, because the politicians elected by country’s population are in some way the reflection of precisely this population’s demand and values. So if country’s leader does the things that in no way correspond to the ideal of leader, everyone starts doubting if people who elected (and re-elected) the leader have right values, if this “American dream” is worthwhile. And as a rule, doubt is the main engine of thought. That’s the basis of neoconservatives’ blames and claims about neorealist approach.
Realist approach, whose origins lie in the writings of the earliest greatest minds of the world results to be deeply embedded in Western thought. Over centuries ideologists assured Americans that their way of life is better than any other in the world. Such an approach is effective only moderate amount, and neorealist approach has brought up this thought to the menacing borderline of absolute truth. Self-confidence of politicians and their dead certainty that they can do anything with perfect impunity caused contemporary situation when impunity runs the show.
