In the aftermath of 9/11, what theory or theories of International Relations do you think are most useful in understanding World politics?

Introduction

They were the most lethal terrorist attacks in history, taking the lives of 3000 American and international citizens and ultimately leading to changes in anti-terror approaches and operations in the U.S and around the globe. (www.fbi.gov). Before 9/11 occurred, the U.S was encountering a period of peace and economic boom. This fostered the illusion that International Relations were of no great significance in the wider arena. The American public and political classes were unconcerned with previous attacks on the World Trade Centre in 94, the attack on the USS Cole, and the attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Attacks of 9/11 and the fall of the World Trade Centre’s marked the beginning of the real 21st century. (Brown 04).  9/11 was not simply an act of terror but the most destructive single act of terror since World War 2. Many in the Islamic community saw the attack, as an attack on “the symbolic heart of global capitalism” (Brown 04). 9/11 galvanised the American people, and less then 12 hours after the attacks, president Bush formally declared a “war on terror”. Overnight America’s relationships with Russia, China and India improved. Britain and Australia were also seen as close allies. President Bush and his supporters stressed the need to go on the offensive against terrorists, to deploy the U.S. military, and to promote democracy in the Middle East. (Gordon 07). The U.S is fighting a war on terror and must remain on the offensive. The Bush administration feel, that U.S. power is the foundation of global order, and the spread of democracy and freedom is the key to a safer and more peaceful world. (Gordon 06). Therefore I feel that neo-conservatism and Realism are the theories of International Relations that are most useful in understanding world politics today.

World Order in the 21st Century

Terrorism is a multi-faced problem and requires an aggressive and long-term solution. Any war against terror requires collaboration among governments worldwide, as well as collaboration among government units domestically. There are many sides to America’s war on terror. It is being fought on the military, diplomatic, financial and homeland security fronts. (Hayden 03). Charles Krauthammer’s vision of a unipolar world states, the U.S. has been designated the custodian of the International system by virtue of its enormous margin of military superiority. (Fukuyama 04). The U.S. as custodians of the international system suggests a broadminded understanding of self-interest. The neo-conservative movement is seen as quite strong in the Bush administration. The U.S. spends as much on defence as the next 16 most powerful countries put together. (Fukuyama 04).  Democrats have argued that Bush’s approach to the war on terror has created more terrorists then it has eliminated, and that it will continue to do so unless the U.S changes its outlook. (Gordon 07). The U.S. wants to distinguish its friends and its enemies through foreign policy. With this type of power comes enormous responsibility. The promotion of liberal democracy around the world and the push for national interest are characteristics of a neo-conservative movement. (Fukuyama 04). Some of the more famous Neo-Cons would have been Ronald Regan, George W. H. Bush and George W. Bush.  Neo-Cons see the spread of democracy as “the success of liberty”. By engaging in the war on terror, the U.S feels that it can spread democracy.

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The U.S led invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq were justified by the Bush administration as to “fight an enemy that poses a global moral threat to global freedom”. (Krauthammer 04). The U.S. saw this as an opportunity as a nation-building project. (The U.S has had 18 since 1899, with the latest one being Iraq). (Krauthammer 04). For Liberal internationalists, war is legitimate only if sanctioned by the U.N. This was the case for the invasion of Afghanistan, but not for Iraq. Both France and Germany opposed the war in Iraq, and voted accordingly in front of the U.N. Security ...

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