War In Iraq

Experts in international relations face two major obstacles when trying to locate and adequately explain the behaviour patterns that follow the various international actors in the world. The first challenge is the sheer size of the field. Today there are more than 190 countries and about six billion people on the planet(1). It seems almost impossible to analyze so many states and find constantsin its behaviour to others or to group them all in one international stage.
The second challenge is represented in the ongoing transformation undergone by the international stage, as the world changes every day. Any analysis that seeks to explain the relations between States should consider these ongoing changes, and, therefore, change over time.

Realist theory overcomes both challenges and,despite being one of the oldest theories, continues to provide a coherent explanation of the functioning in the international order. Realism states that all countries in the world coexist in a scenario often referred to as the international system, where the main characteristic is located in the eternal struggle for power. Countries will act in their own interests, what concerns them the most isthe possession of power, in order to be able to survive as independent entities and meet the needs of its population.

The realist authors claim that egocentric character of the countries in the international system is rooted in the inherent desire and insatiable case that the man has for power. By analyzing the relationships between the different states in the world we find that these are made byindividuals and as a result, they adopt the characteristics of the individuals that form them. Therefore, this human desire for power is reflected in the foreign policies of states.

States will coexist in the international system in a constant state of problems and clashes of interest. For realism, the world's conflicts are not an evil that can be eradicated, but rather are merely results ofthe inherent forces in human nature, conflicts arise as a result of continuous shocks faced by States due to their intentions to survive, prevail, dominate, and spread. The power will determine who will stand out from others and meet as many of his desires and intentions. A way to battle this matter, states use diplomacy to create bonds and relationships among them. An example of this are thealliances.

According to realist theory, the international system is anarchic, in the sense that there is no authority above states capable of effectively regulate the relations between them. The power will never be distributed fairly in the international system, there will be major powers preponderating and subjecting others to their influence. States in their struggle for power seek to maximizetheir political position within the system by building up military power resources. These attempts to maximize the power lead ultimately to a balance and stability in the international system with a status quo. Using war to prevent war.

One of the arguments that Professor Makridis uses to challenge the theory involves the use of power in failed pursuits. He explains that even with a great amountof power, helps little or nothing has when it comes to achieve a country's goal if the interests have been ill-conceived. (12).

A case of realism, is the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
For Bush, Iraq represents a latent threat. In his 2003 speech before the Iraq invasion, Bush made semblance to chemical attack that Iraq took against Halabja - just one of the 40 targeted at the same Iraqi people 15years ago - gave a glimpse of the crimes that Saddam Hussein was willing to commit, and the type of threat he presented to the world. ''Hussein is among the most ruthless dictators in history, and is arming the world's most terrible weapons. It is part of the axis of evil together with other countries. The duty of the United States is to face a growing danger. We must protect ourselves, remove a...