Question 1 · examine two (2) economic effects that you believe the Iranian elections have on other countries that are currently allies with this nation. Provide a rationale for your response. · Suggest two (2) factors that make the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union allies on the world stage of politics. Provide two (2) pieces of evidence to support your rationale. Question 2 · select the theory that you believe has the explanatory and predictive power regarding the confrontation between the United States and Iran. Justify your rationale. · Give your opinion of two (2) currently used policy prescriptions, using international relations paradigms, which you believe will impact the U.S. domestic policy over the next two years. Justify your response. Reading: · Theories of International Relations: Realism and Liberalism This week we will begin by examining realism and liberalism, which are two of the major paradigms of international relations. Realism focuses on the problems of international conflict. All realist theories share four central assumptions. First, realism places immense emphasis on the idea that international politics is anarchic. An anarchic system creates a security dilemma, where states are forced to arm themselves, but this can lead to an arms race. A second assumption of realism is that states are the central actors in international politics. Third, realists view states as unitary actors or as a single coherent entity. Fourth, realists assume that state behavior is rational. Within the realist paradigm, it is also important to understand that the distribution of power is the most important force in international politics. Because power plays a central role in realist theories, defining and measuring power are critical. Both military power and economic power are important to any understanding of realism. One variant of realism is balance of power theory, which suggests that power will be relatively evenly distributed in the world because states will counter each other’s attempts to dominate. Another variant of realism is hegemonic stability theory. This theory contradicts balance of power theory because it argues that stability results not from a balance among the great powers, but from unipolarity where one dominant state ensures some degree of order in the system. Realism is criticized for a variety of reasons. First, some believe that anarchy is simply an historical circumstance, which may now be replaced by another condition. Second, some believe that it is no longer valid to focus exclusively on the state, because nonstate actors are becoming increasingly important. A third criticism focuses on the assumption that the state is unitary and rational. Many reject this hypothesis, arguing instead that there are many different variables that influence a state’s foreign policy. Liberalism is another major paradigm within international relations. Liberalism centers on the rights of the individual, arguing.

1. Question 1
·
examine two (2) economic effects that you believe the Iranian
elections have on other countries that are currently allies with
this nation. Provide a rationale for your response.
·
Suggest two (2) factors that make the United States, Saudi
Arabia, and the European Union allies on the world stage of
politics. Provide two (2) pieces of evidence to support your
rationale.
Question 2
·
select the theory that you believe has the explanatory and
predictive power regarding the confrontation between the
United States and Iran. Justify your rationale.
·
Give your opinion of two (2) currently used policy
prescriptions, using international relations paradigms, which
you believe will impact the U.S. domestic policy over the next
two years. Justify your response.
Reading:
·
Theories of International Relations: Realism and Liberalism
This week we will begin by examining realism and liberalism,
which are two of the major paradigms of international relations.
Realism focuses on the problems of international conflict. All

2. realist theories share four central assumptions. First, realism
places immense emphasis on the idea that international politics
is anarchic. An anarchic system creates a security dilemma,
where states are forced to arm themselves, but this can lead to
an arms race. A second assumption of realism is that states are
the central actors in international politics. Third, realists view
states as unitary actors or as a single coherent entity. Fourth,
realists assume that state behavior is rational.
Within the realist paradigm, it is also important to understand
that the distribution of power is the most important force in
international politics. Because power plays a central role in
realist theories, defining and measuring power are critical. Both
military power and economic power are important to any
understanding of realism.
One variant of realism is balance of power theory, which
suggests that power will be relatively evenly distributed in the
world because states will counter each other’s attempts to
dominate.
Another variant of realism is hegemonic stability theory. This
theory contradicts balance of power theory because it argues
that stability results not from a balance among the great powers,
but from unipolarity where one dominant state ensures some
degree of order in the system.
Realism is criticized for a variety of reasons. First, some
believe that anarchy is simply an historical circumstance, which
may now be replaced by another condition. Second, some
believe that it is no longer valid to focus exclusively on the
state, because nonstate actors are becoming increasingly
important. A third criticism focuses on the assumption that the
state is unitary and rational. Many reject this hypothesis,
arguing instead that there are many different variables that
influence a state’s foreign policy.
Liberalism is another major paradigm within international
relations. Liberalism centers on the rights of the individual,
arguing that individuals can overcome the worst aspects of the

3. realist world. The most prominent assumption shared by all
liberals is that people are rational and understand their interests.
In this chapter, we focus on three different strands of liberal
theory. They are liberal institutionalism, complex
interdependence theory, and the democratic peace theory.
Liberal institutionalism shares the realist assumptions about
anarchy and the central importance of states, but argues that
institutions can be used to overcome the worst aspects of
anarchy. Liberal institutionalism finds that because anarchy
breeds insecurity, states have an incentive to overcome anarchy
in certain areas.
Complex interdependence theory differs from liberal
institutionalism primarily in that it recognizes substrate entities,
such as individuals, firms, nongovernmental organizations, and
government agencies as key actors in international politics.
Within this theory, there are three essential traits. First,
multiple channels connect societies. Second, there is no clear
hierarchy of issues. Third, military force is often not considered
a viable tool of policy.
Democratic peace theory focuses on a state’s form of
government, arguing that that the characteristics of governments
are crucial to understanding international relations. This theory
will be discussed more in a later chapter.
Liberalism is much more optimistic than realism, believing that
states can overcome the anarchic system through collaboration
and cooperation. Liberals deem that progress is possible; and if
the perils and problems of anarchy can be overcome through
collaboration, then liberals believe that leaders should attempt
to achieve those benefits. Liberals reject the realist notion that
progress in international affairs is impossible, whereas realists
see the system as unchanging and they argue that efforts at
collaboration are a mistake that states will eventually regret.