Mingzhi Hu First Paper 3/5/2020 POLS 203 Application of Realism Theory on Civil war in Syria and International Relations International relation can be best understood through the various schools of thought or rather theories. They are significant in giving a comprehensive detail of the constructs that make international relations. Realism theory still remains one of the most influential tools in understanding events related to international relations. This is because it provides a pragmatic approach in examining current events in the sphere of international relations (Maghroori, pg. 17). Realism is divided into three subdivisions, seeking to explain causes of state conflict. This include classical realism that argues that the conflict comes from the nature of man, neorealist which associates conflict the elements of the state, and neoclassical realism which associates it to both human nature and elements of the state. This school of thought is grounded on some fundamental principles that make the core of its arguments. The first assumption in realism is the idea that a country, usually referred to as a state, serves as the main actor in international relations. It acknowledges the fact that there are other actors like individuals and organizations, which have limited influence (Maghroori 11). Secondly, the state is considered a unitary player, which is expected to work harmoniously, with regard to matters of national interest. In addition, realists believe that the people who make decisions are rational players, since this rationality is required in pursuing the interest of the nation. In essence, the leaders are believed to understand these assumptions regardless of their Laci Hubbard-Mattix 90000004849605 But selfish Laci Hubbard-Mattix 90000004849605 Laci Hubbard-Mattix 90000004849605 What do you mean by "work harmoniously" Laci Hubbard-Mattix 90000004849605 It is not clear what this sentence means. political position, so ensure their sustainability and continuity. Consequently, it is assumed that states exist in an anarchy context, where there is no single international leader. In this theorization, the role of nature in influencing human action is not ignored. It asserts that nature influence people to continue acting in repetitive tendencies. In this assumption, it comes out that people desire power because of the egoistic nature. The innate selfishness of human beings, mistrust and their thirst for power explains the unpredicted consequences that can result from their actions (Maghroori 20). Such human tendencies can explain the unending wars among nations. Bearing the fact that nations are governed by human beings, their nature contributes largely to their behavioral tendencies, which in turn influence its security. Realist therefore assume that leaders have the responsibility to promote the security of their country in all fronts. This can be realized through consta ...

1. Mingzhi Hu
First Paper
3/5/2020
POLS 203
Application of Realism Theory on Civil war in Syria and
International Relations
International relation can be best understood through the
various schools of thought or
rather theories. They are significant in giving a comprehensive
detail of the constructs that make
international relations. Realism theory still remains one of the
most influential tools in
understanding events related to international relations. This is
because it provides a pragmatic
approach in examining current events in the sphere of
international relations (Maghroori, pg. 17).
Realism is divided into three subdivisions, seeking to explain
causes of state conflict. This
include classical realism that argues that the conflict comes
from the nature of man, neorealist

2. which associates conflict the elements of the state, and
neoclassical realism which associates it to
both human nature and elements of the state. This school of
thought is grounded on some
fundamental principles that make the core of its arguments.
The first assumption in realism is the idea that a country,
usually referred to as a state,
serves as the main actor in international relations. It
acknowledges the fact that there are other
actors like individuals and organizations, which have limited
influence (Maghroori 11).
Secondly, the state is considered a unitary player, which is
expected to work harmoniously, with
regard to matters of national interest. In addition, realists
believe that the people who make
decisions are rational players, since this rationality is required
in pursuing the interest of the
nation. In essence, the leaders are believed to understand these
assumptions regardless of their
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
But selfish
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605

3. Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
What do you mean by "work harmoniously"
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
It is not clear what this sentence means.
political position, so ensure their sustainability and continuity.
Consequently, it is assumed that
states exist in an anarchy context, where there is no single
international leader. In this
theorization, the role of nature in influencing human action is
not ignored. It asserts that nature
influence people to continue acting in repetitive tendencies. In
this assumption, it comes out that
people desire power because of the egoistic nature. The innate
selfishness of human beings,
mistrust and their thirst for power explains the unpredicted
consequences that can result from
their actions (Maghroori 20). Such human tendencies can
explain the unending wars among
nations. Bearing the fact that nations are governed by human
beings, their nature contributes
largely to their behavioral tendencies, which in turn influence
its security.

4. Realist therefore assume that leaders have the responsibility to
promote the security of
their country in all fronts. This can be realized through constant
vigilance, that can be helpful in
developing proactive measures to deal with both internal and
external threats. These threats
include those that target their rule or authority (Maghroori 15).
This calls for a leader to be
tactful in his approaches, so as to achieve the utmost good of its
people. In this way, for a state’s
continued existence, they need to act accordingly depending on
the needs presented by a given
situation. Following this illustration, realists are focused in
giving a perfect description of the
world’s politics, and its influence in policy making.
Syrians regime has been one of the largely debated issue in the
recent past. The unrest in
the country, and recently in the North Western province of Idlib
has raised several international
concerns (Doganay & Demiraslan 223). The major issue of
concern has been the fact that Syria
has received little international support to bring to an end the
destructive regime. The Syria

5. regime forces, that has been backed with the Russian militia
have remained a central issue in
Syria, as the Syrians are fighting to get hold of their city. The
sad thing is the fact that the
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
Which human tendencies?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
What does "their" refer back to? The leaders? The state? Their
decisions?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
Why is this important?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
You are missing a lot of the important information about
realism. That the international realm tends toward conflict.
Security dilemma, balance of power. Etc...
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
It isn't clear what regime you are referring to or any of the
details of the situation.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
The international system is anarchic.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix

6. 90000004849605
Which Syrians?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
What does this mean? How does it follow?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
What are these and why do they matter?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
Not necessarily. If not being tactful would provide better
security they would have to do that.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
The Syrian civil war.
Turkish troop that was deployed in an effort to prevent the
regime from entering and taking over
their city, did not stop them. The regime has stretched and taken
control of most opposition -
based areas, including several villages in Idlib. Saraqeb as one
of the largest cities in the country
side of Idlib was taken over, with the most concern being the
large population it hosted (Schmidt,
pg. 31). With the continued use of violence, the Turkish militia
that were deployed withdrew.

7. With the regime supported with both Russian and Iranian
troops, the opposition still fights back.
This event can largely be explained with the realist approach to
international relations.
Realist approach to international relations emphasizes on the
need for the state to be primary
actors with others being of less significance. It believes that
states have the highest authority in
the international system, assuming the position of anarchy. This
school of thought is anchored in
the belief that states form the bodies of the other actors,
including international organizations.
This means that states can influence the actions of international
organizations. Russia alongside
with China as permanent members of the UN security council
vetoed three responsibilities of the
UN to sanction the Syrian regime and stop violence (Schmidt
34). It is in this very light that
these states stopped Un from offering foreign military aid in
Syria. The idea of sovereignty of a
state is also a central issue in Russia’s attitude towards Syria.
The other assumption in the realist
school of thought that claims states to be self-interested is
central in understanding this case.

8. Russia votes against the No-fly zone and the protection of
civilians in the UN security council.
This is because Russia has interest in Syria based on its
strategic geographical location, and
benefit accrued to the exports to the Syrian army is a central
concern. They strongly believe that
this can be weakened when the violence is ceased (Doganay &
Demiraslan, pg. 220). In this way,
their own well-being is supreme, as compared to the moral duty
of humanitarian intervention.
This simply justifies the tenet that ethics are interpreted in the
lens of politics.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
Realism does not allow for humanitarian intervention.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
What is "this" that is being weakened?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
Realism does not allow for ethics.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
It isn't that states "need" to be primary actors it is that they are.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix

9. 90000004849605
Sovereignty of the state is not unique to realism.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
Realism is a theory- it cannot have beliefs.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
Why does Russia have in interest based on this?
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
The connection to realism is unclear.
Laci Hubbard-Mattix
90000004849605
You hadn't explained why the troops were deployed etc...
This case also illustrates the realist idea that the behavior of
states is primarily driven by
pursuit of power. Russian geo-strategic interest is core due to
the strategic geographical location
of Syria in the middle east. Mosco and Tehran have mutual
relation and share common interest,
including enmity with America, fear of radical Sunni Islam
movements and economic
cooperation (Schmidt 36). Russia feels that if the regime is
brought to an end, a democratic
system is likely to be established, which will gain prominence

10. in the region, thus isolating Iran.
Russia therefore is interested in seeing President Assad remain
in power, so that their influence is
not lost to the United States.
Work Cited
Doganay, Mehmet, and Hayati Demiraslan. "Refugees of the
Syrian civil war: impact on
reemerging infections, health services, and biosecurity in
Turkey." Health security 14.4
(2016): 220-225.
Maghroori, Ray. "Introduction: major debates in international
relations." Globalism Versus
Realism. Routledge, 2019. 9-22.
Schmidt, Søren. "The Middle East Regional Security Complex
and the Syrian civil war." The
War for Syria. Routledge, 2019. 17-36.
Running head: POLITICAL SCIENCE 1
1
POLITICAL SCIENCE 2

11. Draft #1
2/13/2020
Paper Proposal
The major theories of international relation are realism and
liberalism. Although they are broadly recognized as schools of
thought, realism and liberalism, they are still recognized as
theories of international relations. Realism has three
subdivisions that explain what causes interstate conflict. They
include classical realism that argues that the conflict comes
from the nature of man, neorealist which associates conflict the
elements of the state, and neoclassical realism which associates
it to both human nature and elements of the state (McGlinchey,
Walters, & Gold, 2017). However, liberalism operates on three
tenets with the first one rejecting the notion that international
relations’ only outcome is power politics. The next one
emphasizes International Corporation and mutual benefit, while
the last one executes nongovernmental players and
multinational organizations for determining the preferences of
the state alongside policy choices (McGlinchey, Walters, &
Gold, 2017).
The Important Aspects of International Relations Theory
Realism is one of the oldest and main theories of international
relations and revolves around a few ideas or assumptions. The
first assumption is that a country, usually referred to as a state,
serves as the main actor in the international relations. While
there are other actors like organizations and individuals, their
powers are limited (McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold ,2017). The
second assumption is that the state acts as unitary player,
usually speaking in a single voice on matters concerning
national interests like war. The third assumption is that people
who make decisions are rational players since rational decision-
making results in the pursuance of the interests of a nation
(McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold, 2017).
Hence, those who generate decisions that may weaken a country
do not pass as rational decision-makers. The theory further
posits that leader, irrespective of their political stand, are aware

12. of these assumptions since they try to manage their national
affairs to ensure their survival. Last but not least, states exist in
an anarchy context whereby they do not have one international
leader (McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold, 2017).
In most of the cases, realism takes past examples and therefore,
emphasizes on the notion that nature influences people to
continue with repetitive behavior patterns. At the center of this
assumption lies the idea that people desire power since they are
egoistic (McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold, 2017). Their
selfishness coupled with their thirst for power and mistrust
results in predictable effects. This view may explain the
unending wars between and among nations. And because states
are made and run by human beings, the nature of people
influences the behavior of the state, particularly its security
(McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold, 2017). One of the main
concerns of leaders involves promoting the security of their
countries.
Hence, to execute this endeavor, state leaders stay vigilant
while coping to their both internal and external threats targeting
their rule, in which case, a leader should act like a fox and a
lion at the same time. In this case, a fox represents deception
while a lion represents powers which are the most significant
element needed in foreign policy (McGlinchey, Walters, &
Gold., 2017). Based on the view of Machiavelli, leaders adhere
to the ethics of responsibility as opposed to the traditional
morality guiding the common citizens. In essence, they act
violently when there is a need to behave that way and manifest
their goodness at other times to ensure the continued existence
of the state (McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold, 2017). Many realists
have argued that realism provides a more clear description of
world politics’ image, making it one of the most used the theory
across the globe when it comes to policymaking.
When considering one of the subdivisions of realism, structural
realism or neorealism, developed by Kenneth Waltz, state
decisions are made from a particular formula instead of coming
from human nature (McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold, 2017).

13. Initially, due to existing in a multinational system of anarchy,
states are usually constrained. Then, action states follow is
founded on their comparative power when assessed against
others. Hence, this formula makes it possible to measure the
power of a state, either physically or empirically, eliminating
assumptions regarding human nature which is founded on given
philosophical ideas which cannot be assessed either physically
or empirically (McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold, 2017).
Liberalism holds a state preference with capabilities and the
determinants of the behavior of a nation (McGlinchey, Walters,
& Gold, 2017). Liberalism allows for a plural state in the
actions that are conducted. They interact in different ways
including financial, economic, as well as cultural means.
Preference varies from one state to another; thus, conflict arises
when there are issues left pending in nations. Co-operation can
be used for the absolute gains within a country (McGlinchey,
Walters, & Gold 2017). Peace can only be achieved through the
liberal way of agreement between nations. Besides,
international institutions have significant roles to play in the
cooperation among nations or states.
Crucial Things in the Theory That Have to Been Addressed
Realism has one of the issues that will need to give an
understanding of how nations interact. It reveals that each state
seeks to improve its power for it to remain competitive, and that
leaders’ behavior is characterized with power and deception for
the continued existence of their states (McGlinchey, Walters, &
Gold, 2017). The middle ground, where constructivism theory
stands, proves the mainstream part of the IR theory
(McGlinchey, Walters, & Gold 2017). Constructivists address
the interests between individuals and what they share when
agreeing. The mainstream IR approach brings a clear and
critical view of how international relations have changed in the
past. The commonly held assumptions in the field of IR that
have created central attention since its inception lie in the tenets
or realism.
References

14. McGlinchey, S. Walters, R. & Gold, D. (2017). Getting Started
with International Relations Theory. Retrieved from
https://www.e-ir.info/2017/12/24/getting-started-
withinternational-relations-theory/
INSTRUCTION
You will be required to write a paper one of the IR theories we
have covered in class to a current event of your choice.
The first step in this process will be to explain your IR theory.
What are the general assumptions of the school of thought?
How do those that adhere to the theory think about the
interaction between actors on the global stage? What does the
theory assume about human nature? Etc… You then must
provide a brief explanation of your event. Finally, you must
indicate the way that someone from your school of thought
would interpret the event you have just explained. You only
have 3-4 pages so you must carefully choose the most important
aspects of the theory and the event you are explaining. (Note:
this paper does not require that you defend or make an argument
for a particular theory rather you are only to apply a theory to a
specific case in question) The theory you have chosen may not
be able to explain all aspects of the event. What is it able to
cover? What does it fail to take into consideration? Be explicit
and thorough.
This paper should be approximately 3-4 pages double spaced
(not including the bibliography) in Times New Roman 12 point
font with 1 inch margins. You should have 3 sources outside of
the class reading material that provides more information about
the IR theory and current event that you are explaining. Your
paper should be free of grammatical errors and be in the MLA
citational formatting style.
IR Theories to choose from (Sign up day April 8th …switching
must be approved by the instructor) Realism
Liberalism

15. Postmodernism
Feminism
Constructivism